When Catrice Hixon worked as a barista in college, she would create off-menu beverages for customers, playing around with the different syrups, beans, and milks to create the perfect cup. She knew, even then, that she would open up her own coffee shop one day. Melanin Cafe is a Black-owned coffee shop in Opelika, Alabama, that celebrates coffee, culture, and Blackness. The café features local Opelika history on its menu, and the drinks are named after important African-American leaders, sayings, and events. The “Rebel” is a dark roast composed of…
