Multicultural Spotlight: Mokao festival starts today INDIANAPOLIS — If you love coffee and chocolate (who doesn’t?), the Mokao Festival is the place to be this weekend. The three-day event kicks off tonight, bringing together local vendors, live demonstrations, and some serious cultural conv ersation about the ethics behind what we’re sipping and snacking on every day. Mokao, organized by J’adore Pastry, is more than just a chance to indulge, it’s all about ethical sourcing, sustainability, and bringing awareness to the people behind the coffee and chocolate we often take for granted. “A lot of folks don’t realize the labor behind the cup of coffee they grab on their way to work,” said Shayla Roy, one of the festival’s organizers. “We’re promoting ethical and sustainable practices when it comes to sourcing coffee and chocolate, and we’re also encouraging some important conversations about cultural awareness in the city of Indianapolis.” Shayla’s goal isn’t just about educating people; she wants to get us thinking about how we choose our coffee and the impact it has on the workers who make it all happen. “Looking for sustainable options is key,” she said. “It’s important to think about the people behind your everyday cup of coffee, the ones we don’t see or think about when we stop by our local coffee shop.” When it comes to the festival itself, Aysha Ahmed is especially excited about the coffee component. “I’m so excited for people to experience the coffee side of Mokao,” she said. “It’s a free festival, and the vendor lineup is unreal, we’ve got everything from Mochi Joy to Barista Parlor, plus live demonstrations, latte art classes, panels, and food.” For anyone curious about what goes into their coffee or chocolate, there will be hands-on educational sessions too. “We’ve got these awesome little zines to hand out,” Shayla explained. “One side is all about coffee, the other side is about chocolate, giving folks a behind-the-scenes look at the process from bean to brew, or bean to bar.” With free admission and plenty to do, the Mokao Festival is a great opportunity to dive deep into the world of coffee and chocolate, all while supporting local vendors. The event runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with educational sessions from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (including free tastings), and Sunday will feature a vendor market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more details, click here. ...read more read less