Media & Mentions
We are honored to be featured by journalists, filmmakers, and organizations highlighting both our coffee and our purpose. Explore a selection of stories about I Have a Bean and our earlier company name, Second Chance Coffee Company.
Featured Articles & Profiles
Prison Fellowship — March 2017
I Have a Bean: Quality Coffee by Returning Neighbors — a feature on how we roast top-1 percent beans and create meaningful employment for post-prison individuals.
ABC 7 Chicago — August 2013
Spirit of Giving: Former inmates get a ‘Second Chance’ at coffee company — early coverage of our Wheaton roastery and mission-driven work.
Daily Herald — May 2016
Felons Find a Fresh Start at Wheaton Coffee Company — local feature on purpose, redemption, and excellent coffee.
Daily Herald — September 2011
Wheaton Business Gives Ex-Cons a Chance — early coverage of our founding vision.
Patch (Wheaton) — March 2023
Employees Find Purpose Post-Prison at I Have A Bean in Wheaton — spotlight on our team and mission.
Fresh Cup Magazine — April 2025
How Coffee Roasters Are Offering Formerly Incarcerated People a New Path Forward by Fionn Pooler — industry feature highlighting I Have a Bean and other roasters creating opportunity.
Fresh Cup Magazine — March 2015
Out of Jail, Into Espresso by Jodi Helmer — early feature on our founding and mission.
Case Studies & Social-Impact Spotlights
AIM2Flourish
• Why It’s More Than Just a Bean — Read →
• From Beans to Dreams: Meet the Business Brewing Second Chances — Read →
• A Roast to Redemption — Read →
Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (RBIJ)
• Justice Champion Spotlight: I Have a Bean Founder Pete Leonard — Aug 2022 Read →
• Justice Champion Spotlight: I Have a Bean and Redemption Roasters — Read →
Prison Fellowship — Second Chance Month Report
Ten Companies in the Business of Second Chances — I Have a Bean featured among national leaders.
Film
Seattle Pacific University – Faith & Co. Series
The Top 1%: I Have a Bean — a short film on coffee, redemption, and faith in business.
Community & Local Mentions
Daily Herald — April 2024
Bonjour, Spring: Wheaton French Market Returns — local coverage featuring I Have a Bean at the market.
Daily Herald — June 2024
Illinois Led on Bail Reform — and It’s Working — column mentioning Pete Leonard and I Have a Bean in the context of re-entry success stories.
Tripadvisor — I Have a Bean (Wheaton)
If you have featured I Have a Bean and don’t see your story listed here, please get in touch. We’re grateful for every story that helps share our mission.