Don't miss out! Receive a special treat from the Bronx's first chocolate factory and Founder Forward grant recipient.
Did you know that the Bronx is home to the first bean-to-bar chocolate factory run by Black chocolatiers? In an industry where Black chocolatiers are so rare you can count them on one hand worldwide, three brothers are writing their own chapter in chocolate-making history.
Meet Daniel Maloney, co-founder of Sol Cacao and his two brothers, Dominic and Nicholas. Their story begins three generations ago in Trinidad with their great-grandparents who cultivated cacao with care and dedication. This is a legacy Daniel and his brothers continue today with their artisan chocolate bars made with two ingredients, a testament to their commitment to purity and excellence. Daniel often says that they want to “inspire the next generation of chocolate makers, chocolate eaters, and chocolatiers.” This is evident in their active participation in workforce development in the Bronx and their plans to return to Trinidad to start a cacao estate, bringing their family’s story full circle. When Daniel joined our Founder Sprint Series, Sol Cacao was facing increased wholesale demand from major retailers and had limited production capacity. With a $5,000 unrestricted award from us, they were able to purchase machinery that boosted their production by 33%.
Sol Cacao isn’t just making chocolate, they are creating jobs, preserving cacao knowledge, and creating impact in their neighborhood. This is the power of impact investing and entrepreneurial support organizations. Supporting Founder Forward allows us to support more visionaries like the Maloney brothers.
Together, we can build a community-centered future where founders anywhere can thrive.