Kyushu Tea Company, LLC, doing business as KyuTeaCo, a Black-owned premium tea company, has announced the launch of its Kickstarter campaign to raise $25,000 to bring authentic, small-batch Japanese teas directly from Kyushu farmers to American consumers. Founded by James Green, a Black entrepreneur whose connection to Japanese tea spans nearly three decades, in partnership with two female collaborators, Natsu Obaru and Summer Yang, KyuTeaCo represents a powerful cross-cultural collaboration born from genuine relationships and deep cultural understanding.
A Journey That Began with Sweet Tea and Led to Shincha
Green's story begins where many Southern stories do—with sweet tea. Growing up in the South, he developed an early appreciation for a good Southern-style sweet black tea. But it was a two-week summer exchange program in 1998 between Atlanta and Fukuoka that transformed his relationship with tea forever.
"That summer changed everything," Green recalled. "I was hosted by a welcoming family in Fukuoka, the Nakano’s, and I fell in love with Kyushu's warmth, culture, and, of course, its tea. Those two weeks planted a seed that grew into something much bigger than I could have imagined."
That seed led Green to make a life-changing decision after college: he moved to Ukiha, a small town in Fukuoka Prefecture, where he lived for three years. Immersed in Kyushu's lush tea fields and vibrant communities, Green learned to speak Japanese fluently and studied the region's rich tea culture firsthand.
"From sipping freshly harvested shincha to exploring Yame's legendary gyokuro, I discovered that tea is more than a drink—it's a way to connect, reflect, and grow," Green explained. "Living there, working alongside the communities, I wasn't just a visitor anymore. I became part of the story."
Twenty-Seven Years in the Making
What began in 1998 has evolved into KyuTeaCo—a vision to share Kyushu's exceptional teas and the stories behind them with the world. Green's deep relationships with farming families in the region aren't transactional; they're built on years of mutual respect, cultural exchange, and genuine friendship.
"When I visit these farms now, I'm not just sourcing product—I'm reconnecting with people who welcomed me into their lives, taught me their language, and shared their centuries-old traditions," Green said. "That's what makes KyuTeaCo different. Every cup carries those relationships, that history, that love."
Breaking Barriers in the $12 Billion Tea Market
The specialty tea market has long been dominated by large corporations with little connection to the farmers who grow their products. As a Black entrepreneur bringing authentic Japanese tea to American consumers, Green is breaking down barriers in multiple ways—challenging both the homogeneity of the tea industry and stereotypes about who belongs in global trade.
"KyuTeaCo was formed not just to share exceptional teas but to offer an experience—a connection to the rich history, culture, and health benefits of tea," said Green. "We're crafting more than tea; we're curating an experience that connects people to Kyushu's soul, culture, and craftsmanship. Our mission is to enable everyone to be a better version of themselves, making tea culture accessible, authentic, and unforgettable."
A Minority-Led Cross-Cultural Mission
Partnering with Natsu and Summer, his two collaborators, Green has created a founding team that embodies the spirit of cultural exchange that first drew him to Japan. This diverse leadership reflects the increasingly multicultural landscape of American entrepreneurship and demonstrates the power of collaboration across communities of color.
"This isn't just about business—it's about building bridges," Green explained. "Working with Natsu and Summer, we're showing that minority entrepreneurs can create something truly special when we come together around shared values of quality, authenticity, and community. It's the same spirit of welcome I received in Fukuoka in 1998."
Direct Relationships with Kyushu Farming Families
Unlike mass-market tea brands, KyuTeaCo sources exclusively from small, family-owned organic farms in Kyushu. Green's personal history in the region—from his fluency in Japanese to his years living in Fukuoka Prefecture—enables relationships that go far beyond typical supplier arrangements.
The Kickstarter campaign will fund the first major inventory order, professional packaging, international shipping logistics, and scaling these existing farmer relationships that Green has cultivated over years.
Each KyuTeaCo tea tells a story—from the mineral-rich volcanic soil of Kyushu to the hands of farmers who tend each plant with meticulous care. Backers receive not just premium organic tea, but handwritten notes, farmer story cards, thank-you videos from farming families, and behind-the-scenes content that brings them into the heart of Japanese tea culture—the same culture that captured Green's heart 27 years ago.
From Southern Sweet Tea to Yame Gyokuro: Honoring Multiple Tea Traditions
Green's journey from Southern sweet tea to Japanese green tea isn't about abandoning one culture for another—it's about honoring both. KyuTeaCo celebrates the universal human tradition of gathering over tea, whether it's on a Southern porch or in a Japanese tea room.
"Tea has always been about community, hospitality, and taking a moment to connect," Green said. "That's true whether you're in Atlanta or Ukiha. I'm bringing those values together through KyuTeaCo."
Kickstarter Campaign Details
The KyuTeaCo Kickstarter campaign, which has 26 days remaining, offers six reward tiers ranging from $25 to $500:
• Late Season Discovery ($25): Handwritten note on traditional Washi paper, digital brewing guide, and thank-you video from farming families
• Spring Awakening ($55): Authentic shincha (first flush spring harvest), branded tea cup, farmer story card, and personalized content
• Seasonal Journey ($85): Compare spring and late-season harvests, branded tea tin, brewing guide, and exclusive farm photography
• Curator's Experience ($125): Three seasonal teas, tea ware set, group online tasting session, and personalized tea diary entries
• Master's Circle ($250): Complete five-piece founder's collection, premium Japanese tea ware, private tasting session, hand-signed cultivation certificate, and six months of tea diary emails
• Founding Family ($500): Ultimate collection with exclusive benefits and lifetime connection to KyuTeaCo's journey
All reward tiers ship internationally, with deliveries scheduled between March and July 2026 to align with Japan's tea harvest seasons.
Why This Matters for Black Entrepreneurship
Green's venture represents a growing trend of Black entrepreneurs expanding into traditionally non-diverse industries and leveraging authentic cultural connections to build businesses. According to recent data, Black-owned businesses receive less than 2% of venture capital funding, making alternative funding sources like Kickstarter critical for minority entrepreneurs. "We're proving that Black founders belong in every space—from tech to tea," Green said. "By partnering with Natsu and Summer and building authentic relationships with Japanese farmers, we're showing what's possible when minority entrepreneurs think globally, act with intention, and honor the cultures that welcome them."
Health, Wellness, and Organic Quality
In an era where consumers increasingly prioritize health and wellness, KyuTeaCo's commitment to sourcing only organic, small-batch teas from family-owned farms resonates with a growing market. Japanese green tea is renowned for its antioxidants, L-theanine content, and numerous health benefits—qualities that are maximized when tea is grown organically and processed with traditional methods passed down through generations.
How to Support
Visit the KyuTeaCo Kickstarter campaign to become a backer and help bring authentic Japanese tea culture to America. Follow KyuTeaCo's journey at kyuteaco.com and on social media @kyuteaco
Every pledge supports not just a minority-owned business built on 27 years of cultural connection, but the family farmers in Kyushu who have preserved these tea traditions for generations.
About
KyuTeaCo is a minority-owned premium tea company founded by James Green in partnership with Natsu and Summer. Green's connection to Kyushu began in 1998 during a summer exchange program and deepened during three years living in Fukuoka Prefecture, where he became fluent in Japanese and immersed himself in the region's tea culture.
The company sources authentic, organic Japanese teas directly from family-owned farms in Kyushu, creating meaningful connections between American tea lovers and the farmers who grow their tea. KyuTeaCo is committed to making Japanese tea culture accessible, authentic, and unforgettable while supporting both minority entrepreneurship and traditional farming families. Learn more at kyuteaco.com
For press inquiries, contact james@kyuteaco.com or 920-381-6002 or Summer Yang at summer@kyuteaco.com or 608-209-4571