Business spotlight: Brew Box Café serves up employment opportunities for people with disabilities

It’s important to be acknowledged. We want people with disabilities to be seen as able and working.”

Two passionate leaders and business entrepreneurs met by chance, and now their idea is coming to life! This month, Brew Box Café, powered by WISH NJ, will have its soft opening in Maplewood, New Jersey. What makes this café special? Almost all the staff are people with developmental disabilities, creating a welcoming space that celebrates opportunity.

Both Eric Dawson and Keldrick Wright grew up in places important in the civil rights movement. From Newark, New Jersey, and East Dublin, Georgia, they were raised by families steeped in community and public service.

And now, they are PSE&G gas and electric customers “answering the call for a need that the community has expressed – working with vulnerable populations and figuring out how to meet their needs,” Keldrick said.

Keldrick discovered his passion for working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities over 20 years ago, founding WILO NJ (Wright Independent Life Options) in 2014 and acting as the executive director of WISH NJ Inc.

Eric stumbled upon his love for baking when he recreated his grandmother’s cobbler recipes in 2018 to help him while healing from grueling stomach cancer treatments. Before he knew it, his baking led to a food truck and the first Brew Box Café, in Irvington, New Jersey – all under his booming business – Grandma Emma’s Corp.

When one of Keldrick’s clients, Ben, began working on Eric’s food truck, Keldrick and Eric discovered they both shared the same passion of supporting their communities – and the rest was history.

“As Keldrick and I started planning, I did some research and saw the very high unemployment rates for members of the disabled community,” Eric said. “I have folks in my family with disabilities. This is a real need. What we’re doing works. I’ve never had a more comfortable fit.”

In addition to eight homes with 22 full-time residents, Keldrick operates Groove Theory Fitness, just a few shops down on Springfield Avenue, where he also hosts recreational activities such as bingo and karaoke nights for his clients and others in the community.

Both men said they feel blessed to give back to others and that the community also has embraced their passion, spirit and goals, clamoring for the café opening.

As their local utility, we’re proud to support their needs for safe, reliable power.

“PSE&G prioritizes the well-being of people with disabilities,” Keldrick said. “They understand that lives depend on our need for power, with some of our clients dependent on medical equipment and other things.”

Eric added, “It’s important to be acknowledged. We want people with disabilities to be seen as able and working.”