Our Story We are equal parts coffee and calling. Coffee Located in the Heights neighborhood of Houston, TX, our shop is well known for its open and welcoming environment, ample seating and workspace, and, of course, delicious coffee. We have partnered with local roasters and hand-crafted our own fair trade syrups, to ensure you get a great cup of ethically sourced coffee. You can pair your coffee with a yummy breakfast taco or a flight of toast to start your day, all made in-house with fair trade ingredients. And before you leave, you can stop by our merchandise section—stocked with curated items crafted by artisans living in high-risk environments. Every aspect of our coffee business goes hand-in-hand with our mission to fight human trafficking. Calling The brainchild of Erica Raggett, A 2nd Cup was always meant to be more than a coffee shop. It was envisioned as a place where people could organize, collaborate, make an impact—or just make themselves at home in a modern café setting. We believe that freedom should belong to everyone. We work every day to make that vision a reality. From teaching our community about human trafficking, to strategic collaboration with our allies, to providing job skills to survivors of trafficking, we will be here #tileveryoneisfree. Our story begins with a 7th-grade Science teacher who hears about human trafficking for the first time. In December of 2010, my understanding of our modern world was completely flipped on its head when I learned about human trafficking. I learned that human beings were being bought and sold - treated as commodities all over the world. I learned that an estimated 30 million people were trapped in slavery through labor or sexual exploitation. I learned that it wasn’t just a problem in third world or war-torn countries, I learned that it was a problem in our country, in our state, and in our city. I learned that the students that sat in my classroom every day were incredibly vulnerable because of their age, their socioeconomic situations and because of the potential immigration status of their family members. And I was outraged - I didn’t know what to do, but I knew I had to do something. I researched, I read, I watched. I attended the orientation and volunteered with every anti-trafficking organization I could find in Houston. And I still felt compelled to do more. I had found my purpose. I never fancied myself as an entrepreneur, let alone a social entrepreneur, but I loved coffee and I hated human trafficking and somehow those two passions made sense together. My solution to fighting human trafficking was a coffee shop. A shop that would provide a space to educate others about the issue of human trafficking. A space to collaborate with other anti-trafficking organizations and non-profits to strengthen the fight and abolish this plague on our city. And a space to help provide for the long-term recovery and healing for survivors. The organization began in late 2011, launching as a pop-up coffee shop, usually transported by my small Mazda, to serve coffee and raise awareness about human trafficking all over Houston. In the spring of 2012 we opened our Incubator shop in the multi-purpose room of the Vineyard Church of Houston, where we were able to grow our coffee skills and knowledge and host numerous anti-trafficking awareness events. In 2015 we opened our brick-and-mortar shop and began expanding all of our operations - reaching more Houstonians, holding more awareness events, serving as a collaborative space for justice, and investing more resources into the field of aftercare. And in 2018 we began providing job skills training for survivors through our Brazen Table Program. Each year brings fresh perspectives, new challenges, and exciting adventures. We believe that we can live in a world without trafficking and we will be here fighting #tileveryoneisfree. Hear more of Erica's Story and the history of A 2nd Cup → Erica Raggett Founder Established: 2011 // as a non-profit 2012 // as an incubator 2015 // as a permanent brick-and-mortar 2018 // Brazen Table Culinary Training Program for Survivors of human trafficking In the News We are honored that others have found our work as exciting and valuable as we do! Here are a few that have mentioned our work. The Houston Coffee Shop Fighting Human Trafficking Watch Video Non-profit coffee shop turns into pandemic pantry Read Article 'Horrified' by Human Trafficking, 'Angel' in Houston Runs Special Coffee Shop to Raise Awareness Read Article Fighting Human Trafficking, One Cup of Coffee at a Time Read Article 20A 2nd Cup Marks a Meaningful Year of Survivor Support Program Read Article How a 2nd Cup Is Combating Human Trafficking Read Article Heights coffee shop works to end human trafficking while supporting survivors Read Article