Lem Butler

Lem Butler is a father, husband, and consummate coffee professional who has spent more than a decade shaping the specialty coffee community. His journey began in 2005, when the industry was small enough that you could learn nearly everything behind the bar—or from the few competitions and expos that existed. That same year, he won his first Southeast Regional Barista Competition and attended his first Specialty Coffee Association Expo, where he discovered just how expansive and interconnected the coffee world could be. From learning latte art by DVD to becoming one of the country’s most respected baristas, Lem has built his career on curiosity, craft, and community.

Lem is the co-founder of Black & White Coffee Roasters and the first Black barista to win the U.S. Barista Championship. He went on to make history again as the first Black competitor to represent the United States at the World Barista Championship, where he placed 4th out of 54 countries.

A global educator and consultant, Lem has taught professional coffee courses in six countries and advises coffee companies around the world. He also serves on the Board of Grounds for Health and on the Pacific Foods Barista Series Advisory Board, helping shape the future of both coffee education and plant-based beverage innovation. Throughout his career, he has played a key role in advancing how plant-based beverages, like the Pacific Foods Barista Series™, perform behind the bar—setting a new standard for taste, texture, and creativity in the cup.
Most recently, Lem has taken his storytelling and advocacy to the screen as the creator of an upcoming documentary exploring the impact of climate change on coffee farming—continuing his lifelong commitment to elevating the people, craft, and culture that make coffee possible.