About Us | Coffee Crafters Academy

WHO WE ARE

Coffee Crafters Academy was born in 2014 out of a need to better serve those that have a prior criminal history. We are a social enterprise that operates cafes inside of correctional facilities across the state of Ohio. We train facility residents to become baristas that create a variety of artisan, handcrafted coffee, smoothie, and tea drinks to sell to other residents, staff and visitors. Our resident employees develop marketable skills and a positive work history that will help them obtain employment once released.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to aid in the reentry of justice involved via employment .

OUR VALUES

Teamwork

Integrity

Professionalism

Humility

Positivity

Personal Growth

Service

OUR VISION

Our vision is a world with more inclusive, supportive and forgiving communities that believe in the power of second chances.

42929602_2259308184296970_33153913414746

OUR TEAM

MICHELE REYNOLDS

Founder & CEO

Michele Reynolds has 20 years of professional experience in business and non-profit management. She holds a license as a Commercial Real Estate Agent in the State of Ohio. Her education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati, Master of Arts in Public Administration and Urban Studies from the University of Akron and Masters of Law from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Michele is currently working on her doctoral dissertation toward a Doctorate in Business Administration from Northcentral University.

Her professional experience includes being the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nothing Into Something Real Estate, Inc. (NISRE) - a faith based nonprofit organization that provides housing and supportive services to homeless adults and at risk youth. Founded in 2002, today, NISRE, Inc. is licensed and contracted by The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, U.S. District Courts, Ohio Department of Youth Services, and Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to operate supportive housing programs throughout the State of Ohio. Since its inception, NISRE, Inc. has housed approximately 1000 people through its restorative housing programs. NISRE, Inc. is the parent company of The EXIT (Ex-offenders In Transition) Program, Jessie’s World and Rahab’s Hideaway, Coffee Crafters and Yogopolis for which she serves as Chief Executive Officer.

Michele Reynolds is the wife of Pastor Uhleric (Rick) Reynolds and serves faithfully as the First Lady and Executive Pastor of Common Ground Destiny Center. Through their ministry, Michele and her husband launched a marketplace ministry called ‘The Destiny Center’- a faith based social enterprise incubator and event facility designed to support the needs of aspiring and established entrepreneurs with resources including office space, meeting space, business and life coaching, mentorship and business training.

MICAHEL CARLISLE

Director of Operations

For as long as he can remember Michael has loved to serve. Whether it was at his local church, as an athletic director, teacher, coach, or barista, service has been the driving force behind what he does. His love for coffee, redemption and service has led him to Coffee Crafters Academy. As the CCA director, Michael looks to use the skills and techniques he has learned to assist the reentering individuals in our program and to enrich the communities they call home.

Michael gained a Bachelors of Arts in Pastoral Studies from Greenville University. He uses his degree to serve as the Community Outreach Director of the Village Community Church.

He and his wife, Jamie Carlisle, live on the south side of Columbus with their son and two dogs.