NC A&T Entrepreneurship Course Expands Students' Global Perspectives Through Coffee and Perfume Innovation

With coffee beans, perfumes and colognes, North Carolina A&T entrepreneurship professor Antwon Foreman '13 is expanding his students' global perspectives while redefining hands-on learning. Blending the art of coffee roasting with the craft of perfumery, the class invites students into a world where science, creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation intersect.

In Global Experience in Management, students build businesses from inception to distribution through coffee roasting or perfumery. Local roasters teach students how to roast their own beans, while Foreman leads perfumery instruction, guiding them through the scientific processes of developing unique flavor profiles and fragrances.

Students learn to create business models, write business plans, establish execution strategies, and begin selling their products. On average, students generate $35,000 to $55,000 in sales to fund their trips abroad.

The course culminates in an immersive international experience, where students visit coffee and perfume manufacturers abroad and build connections with industry leaders. In past years, students have visited Dubai, Brazil and Paris. Future courses will include trips to Japan, with a curriculum focused on tea, and eventually Switzerland and Belgium to study chocolatiering.

"Global experiences and global citizenship begin to open their eyes to how different the world is from various perspectives, and it expands their understanding of possibilities and socioeconomic levels," said Foreman.

Interdisciplinary Learning Approach

Designed from an interdisciplinary perspective, the course encourages students to immerse themselves in industries with low barriers to entry while exposing them to the science and craftsmanship of artisan trades. Foreman believes embracing the interdisciplinary nature of entrepreneurship helps cultivate well-rounded, creative business leaders.

"There's an art form that goes with those things that is critically important," he said. "It mixes science with creativity in a way that challenges both sides of the brain and pushes you into a realm of imagination."

Student Success Stories

Many students, like Nhojony Torres, a senior studying marketing and management, entered the course expecting to learn market trends and business metrics.

"As Aggies, we're built on resilience and excellence, but sometimes it takes stepping outside of Merrick Hall and immersing yourself in a place like Dubai to truly grasp how expansive that foundation is," said Torres.

Creating her luxury fragrance line, OBNFragrance, in the class, Torres gained hands-on entrepreneurial experience and a deeper understanding of global impact and innovation.

Hannah Hovey, a senior studying food science who developed a healthy, accessible and affordable beverage in the course, said her experience abroad reshaped her business plan. After immersing herself in Brazil's food and beverage culture, her focus shifted from convenience to health.

"It was very interesting to see the culture around food, which was very beneficial to aligning my career goals," said Hovey. "Before, my company was solely based on convenience; however, after speaking with industry representatives, I saw how much they prioritize healthy eating and the level of care that goes into food."

Building Cultural Legacy

For Foreman, director of the Blackstone Entrepreneurship LaunchPad, entrepreneurship helps students recognize their value as leaders while connecting them to a legacy of forging paths despite systemic barriers.

The course increases access to global experiences by providing a pathway for students to generate revenue, fund their success and build confidence, not only as entrepreneurs, but as managers of their personal brands.

"In terms of going from the Emancipation Proclamation to Black Wall Streets, it shows the historical relevance of entrepreneurship in our culture," he said. "The only way you go from rock bottom to thriving Black Wall Streets across the country is by activating the entrepreneurial mindset and committing to both education and entrepreneurship."

The university's commitment to leadership and innovation is reflected in courses like this one, designed to cultivate engaged, globally minded thinkers and doers. It aligns with A&T's goal of preparing the next generation of innovators through hands-on, experiential learning and global thought leadership.

"The core of innovation is understanding the problems people face and finding solutions," said Foreman. "That is the core of Aggie pride, the expectation that you walk into a room and figure out how to make it better."

Students in Foreman's class aren't just learning to build businesses; they are developing solutions for self-sustained entrepreneurship and strengthening their cultural awareness.

About North Carolina A&T State University: North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is the nation's largest historically Black university, as well one of the top 25 "Most Innovative" universities in America (U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2024). The university was established in 1891 as only the second land-grant college created under the second Morrill Act and is located in Greensboro, North Carolina.