20: The Coffee Queen of New Orleans: The Life and Legacy of Rose Nicaud

Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons

Date: February 12, 2025 Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons

Title and Show Info Episode #20: The Coffee Queen of New Orleans: The Life and Legacy of Rose Nicaud

Featuring: Toni Davis (Host & Storyteller).

Summary Step into the bustling streets of 19th-century New Orleans, where the scent of rich, dark coffee weaves through the French Market like an intoxicating spell. Meet Rose Nicaud—a woman who turned beans and boiling water into freedom. Born into slavery, Rose didn’t just dream of a better life; she brewed it, one cup at a time. With grit, ambition, and an unmatched talent for crafting the perfect blend, she became the first known African American woman to own a coffee stand in New Orleans. She built more than a business—she built a legacy. From the early dawns of the French Quarter to the height of her success, her journey is nothing short of riveting. In this episode, we unravel the trials, triumphs, and tenacity of a woman who transformed coffee into currency, outsmarted oppression, and paved the way for future entrepreneurs. Her story is rich, bold, and unforgettable—just like her coffee. So grab your cup, settle in, and sip on the story of the indomitable Rose Nicaud. ☕✨ #History #CoffeeCulture #NewOrleans #Trailblazer

Highlights: 00:57= INTRO 01:46= ROSE NICAUD BIRTH. 03:36= SELLING COFFEE IN THE FRENCH MARKET. 05:34= EXPANDS HER OFFERINGS. 05:54= PURCHASES HER FREEDOM. 06:26= MULTIPLE FREE PEOPLE OF COLOR FRENCH MARKET COFFEE VENDORS. 07:45= STRENGTHENS HER BUSINESS. 08:33= CAFÉ DU MONDE. 08:43= WHOLESALE COFFEE BEANS. 10:11= CIVIL WAR BEGINS. 10:15= UNION FORCES CAPTURES NEW ORLEANS. 10:21= ABOLITION OF SLAVERY. 10:33= TESTIFIES IN A MURDER TRIAL. 11:52= BUSINESS IS LISTED IN THE NEW ORLEANS CITY DIRECTORY. 12:12= PASSES AWAY. 12:25= BURIED IN THE ST. LOUIS CEMETERY. 12:40= IMMORTALIZED IN GEORGE WASHINGTON CABLE’S NOVEL DR.SEVIER. 13:12= CAFÉ ROSE NICAUD. 13:51= CONCLUSION. Subscribe to the podcast.

Links To Additional Resources: The World of Rose Nicaud.pdf Rose Nicaud and the History of French Market Coffee The Muse: Rose Nicaud – Black Girl Black Coffee Celebrating Black History: Rose Nicaud - New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce - NORBCC, Inc. The former slave who opened the first French Market coffee stand | 300 for 300 | nola.com The World of Rose Nicaud | Historic New Orleans Collection Born a slave, sold 6 times | Meet New Orleans' first coffee barista Rose | WGNO.com Rose Nicaud helped pioneer culinary entrepreneurship