Entrepreneurship and Legacy: The Inspiring Journey of Sherry Darby
Forging a Path Forward with Impact and Empowerment
Atlanta, GA – Entrepreneurship is an enigmatic term with diverse connotations. For Sherry Darby, it signifies leaving a notable legacy, attaining economic stability, and taking calculated risks for the upliftment of the community. This Atlanta-based entrepreneur is the proud creator of Be. Coffee Tea Wine and co-owner of a Kumon franchise in South Fulton, demonstrating her commitment to community development and empowerment.
An Unlikely Beginning
Darby hails from a background of academia. She graduated from Spelman College with a focus in biology, intending to pursue a career in medicine. However, during her stint as a public school teacher post-graduation, she experienced a seismic shift in perspective. She found the restrictive curriculum hindered her ability to prepare students realistically for life, encouraging her to carve out her own educational establishment.
“When I talk about having an impact, I don’t want to only teach you math and reading, but my mission is to also teach my students to give back and pour into their own communities,” Darby said ardently.
Overcoming Strategic Obstacles
Soon after deciding to set up her branch of Kumon, a math and reading learning center, Darby faced significant pushback. The management recommended she establish her center in areas they deemed more appropriate for their supplemental educational services, inadvertently excluding her predominantly Black South Fulton community. Their justification was rooted in the belief that this demographic might lack the financial capacity to afford their services.
Refusing to be deterred, Darby hired independent demographers to assess the area’s economic viability. The findings showcased an affluence that contradicted the management’s initial claims. With the insisted on the factual data, Darby successfully embarked her Kumon center journey in Sandtown community in 2004.
A New Venture
After achieving prolonged success with Kumon, Sherry Darby desired to contribute to her community on a broader spectrum. Upon witnessing the encroaching gentrification in Atlanta, Darby felt a responsibility to preserve the cultural identity of her community while fostering economical growth. Coalescing these intentions, Darby launched Be. Coffee Tea Wine in 2023, a space dedicated to fostering community spirit and celebrating the African American students of Atlanta University Center(AUC).
The venture arose amidst a bid by Georgia Institute of Technology (GA Tech) for the facility housing her café. Morehouse School of Medicine ultimately won the bid, allowing Darby to lease the space. Being a Spelman alumna, Darby recognized the importance of safeguarding spaces for Black students and therefore was relieved that GA Tech did not take over the area.
A Legacy in Motion
“When I was younger, I didn’t know any Black entrepreneurs or have any in my circle,” Darby shared. “But one day, I realized that I have to do something different if I really want to leave a legacy for my children and want them to see things differently.”
True to her words, Sherry Darby continues her journey, creating spaces of inspiration and empowerment for her community, shaping from education to entrepreneurship, ultimately building a legacy that will continue to echo for generations!
