Social Entrepreneur | Coffee Specialist | Forbes Under 30
Member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, Arts, History & Literature
In the heart of Contagem, Minas Gerais, Brazil, Ronaro Soares grew up under the loving care of his grandmother, Ernestina Soares da Silva. Ernestina wasn’t just a caregiver; she was a pillar of strength and compassion who opened her home to children in need, offering food, shelter, and most importantly, a sense of belonging. She was the living embodiment of solidarity, and her selflessness deeply influenced Ronaro, instilling in him the values of resilience and service to the community. Tragedy struck when Ronaro was just 17 years old, and he lost his grandmother, the woman who had been his rock. However, even in the face of such loss, Ronaro’s spirit remained unbroken. At the age of 22, he found a second chance at life through adoption, a turning point that gave him the opportunity to redefine his future. It wasn’t long before Ronaro found himself drawn to the world of coffee, a decision that would change his life forever. In 2019, he took his first step into the coffee industry, starting with an administrative role at a café. While this was just the beginning, Ronaro’s natural curiosity and drive soon propelled him far beyond the basics. He immersed himself in the world of coffee, self-teaching and honing his skills, turning passion into expertise at a speed that few could match. Within just four years, Ronaro’s exceptional talent and dedication earned him a place on the Forbes Under 30 list, a feat that catapulted him into the global spotlight. But his success didn’t stop there—he became the first coffee specialist to be inducted into the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, Arts, History, and Literature. This was a monumental achievement, one that underscored not just his skills, but his groundbreaking impact on the coffee world. However, Ronaro’s journey was never about personal accolades alone. Recognizing the power of education to uplift communities, he turned his attention to social entrepreneurship. In 2022, he founded Projeto Social Ubuntu Café, a transformative initiative focused on offering free barista training to individuals from marginalized communities across Brazil. Through this project, Ronaro sought to use the art of coffee as a vehicle for social change, offering opportunities for empowerment and economic mobility to those who needed it most.
In addition to his social venture, Ronaro has worked tirelessly to elevate the coffee industry itself. He has trained nearly 2,000 individuals, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, providing them with the skills to work as baristas in cafés, restaurants, and hotels throughout Brazil. His approach goes beyond simply teaching technical skills—he fosters an environment of empowerment, giving people the tools to build better futures for themselves. Ronaro’s thirst for knowledge has always been a driving force behind his success. He pursued his formal education at Universidade Paulista, where he deepened his expertise in coffee, focusing on both the practical and theoretical aspects of the craft. At the same time, his curiosity led him to study communication and the science of coffee extraction, courses he took through Portal Coffeea and The Coffee Sensorium in 2020. This education provided him with the foundation needed to create and teach workshops that would shape the next generation of coffee professionals.
Ronaro’s professional journey also took him to a variety of roles where his expertise and passion for coffee could shine. He worked as a relationship manager for Revista Papo de Cafeteria, where he was responsible for communication, sales, and training. His work at Café Center Brasil as a consultant helped aspiring entrepreneurs navigate the coffee industry, providing them with valuable insights to start their own businesses. Ronaro’s tenure as a barista and instructor at Prime Coffee and Tundum Café further solidified his reputation as a coffee expert, while his role at Um Coffee Academy allowed him to shape the next generation of coffee professionals by combining his administrative, commercial, and teaching expertise.
Through each experience, Ronaro has never wavered from his ultimate mission: to create lasting change. Whether through training, consulting, or his social projects, he continues to use coffee as a tool for empowerment. His commitment to giving back, his deep understanding of the coffee industry, and his ability to inspire others are the reasons he has become such a pivotal figure in both the Brazilian coffee scene and the global stage.
Ronaro Soares is not just brewing coffee; he is brewing a legacy. His journey from hardship to success is a testament to the power of resilience, passion, and education. Through his work, he continues to prove that coffee is more than just a beverage—it’s a catalyst for transformation, a way to bring people together, and a symbol of hope for those who need it most.
