Dramatic Coffee Bean: Awakening The Mind

Founder Carla Simon Angus speaking during the annual Summer Talent Show

Performance team- available to present at your next event!

story by Roberta Baker photos by Mike Baker/Second Floor Media

Have you ever heard the story about the egg, carrot, and coffee bean? It might just inspire you the same way that it inspired Carla Simon Angus to start the organization, Dramatic Coffee Beans, Inc, in 2011. The story illustrates how when people are put in tough situations or "hot water" they can either become soft and fall apart like the carrot does or hardened to the world as an egg does. Or, they can be like a coffee bean and completely change that "hot water" of life into a delicious cup of coffee. Dramatic Coffee Beans is a teen enrichment group like no other with the goal of equipping students to "be a coffee bean" and change the water. Utilizing improvisation, drama, and the arts, students in grades 6-12 learn how to tackle some of life's biggest challenges and navigate the temptations and pitfalls of growing up in society today. Founded by visionary leader Carla Simon Angus, who saw a need in her hometown of Lake City and knew that a youth development group could make a difference. The group covers topics ranging from financial literacy to physical fitness to mental health. Members bring real-world scenarios to talk through and frequently make skits to work through the everyday challenges that are encountered. "DCB has provided me with a safe space to express myself and introduced me to many new opportunities," DCB member Zyniah McClam says of her experience with the organization. "The teen advisors and Mrs. Carla always do their best to make the meetings fun and entertaining by bringing in speakers to speak on different struggles teens go through."

Carla Simon Angus, DCB's Executive Director and Founder, shares a compelling example of the impact of the group, "One of our members was being bullied and felt she didn't have a voice. She was shy in big crowds and felt insecure because of her weight. As she participated in workshops on team building and improving self-esteem, I began to see a whole new side to her. Later, she came back and shared that DCB gave her the strength to be confident in her body and remember that she was put on earth for greatness. It's incredibly rewarding to watch members open up and find their creativity and confidence during their time in DCB." DCB Member Taylor Belin has another compelling testimony about the power of the group, "Dramatic Coffee Beans feels like a home away from home where you grow as a person. Through the family-like culture, you learn new values. One of the values I learned and carry with me to this day is to try new things because it can help you realize your potential."

Get Involved

If you're interested in supporting the efforts, please consider donating, volunteering, leading a masterclass for our teens, or attending an upcoming public event. You can also request a performance from our drama team that's personalized to your group to shed more light on teens' social dilemmas and the resources available to them.

Joining the Group

Students in grades 6-12 are eligible to join Dramatic Coffee Beans! Meetings are held every other Sunday in Lake City, SC and we hope you'll consider joining us! Contact Carla at 843-687-4493 for the next meeting dates and to get more information.

Dramatic Coffee Beans Members

DCB President Taylor Fulton "Dramatic Coffee Beans feels like a home away from home where you grow as a person. Through the familylike culture, you learn new values. One of the values I learned and carry with me to this day is to try new things because it can help you realize your potential."

-Taylor Belin

Upcoming Events

Our first annual DCB Gala is coming up on February 11th! Head to our Facebook page or dcbinc.org to grab tickets to attend a night of dancing and fun, all to support the youth in our community.

Connect with Us

Like our page on Facebook by searching "Dramatic Coffee Beans" and follow us on Instagram @dcbinc. You can also reach out to carla@dcbinc.org for information on any aspect of the group.