Andi Parnacher, an Oklahoma City native, has made history as the first female Native American certified by the Specialty Coffee Association, a prestigious group that sets standards in coffee roasting. Parnacher's journey began at Not Your Average Joe’s, where she initially worked as a barista. Her passion and dedication caught the eye of her boss, who encouraged her to explore coffee roasting. This led her to apply for a scholarship and training program in New York City, which she was thrilled to be accepted into. Parnacher, a member of the Kiowa, Choctaw, and Chickasaw tribes, feels a deep sense of responsibility to her community and aims to share her knowledge and experiences. She emphasizes that non-traditional career paths can also make significant impacts. Through her work at Not Your Average Joe’s, a coffee shop that employs individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities, Parnacher has learned the importance of compassion and inclusivity. Though she is set to graduate from college soon, she plans to continue making coffee a central part of her life, even if she doesn't open her own shop.
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