Kitti Murray: Brewing Change Through Refuge Coffee

Kitti Murray is a dynamo - a petite, coffee-drinking, community-organizing phenom. One look at Refuge Coffee confirms that she is running a non-profit organization with real impact and longevity. In fact, Refuge Coffee celebrates its tenth anniversary this year where, Kitti declares, hospitality is a means of social justice. Refuge Coffee has three locations in the Atlanta area with the anchor in Clarkston, Georgia. Kitti and her late husband Bill chose Clarkston because immigrants and refugees from over 45 countries live and work together in this small Georgia community.

Why coffee? Why refugees? The first one is easy, Kitti loves coffee and also loves the way gathering around a cuppa joe seems to lead to good conversations. The second one has roots in the Murrays’ strong faith life where a central tenant is the belief that God is a refuge and we must act as a refuge for others. While the Murrays were deeply involved in all kinds of

community service, they recognized that there were vast populations of people who were different from them, especially marginalized people. A friend recommended they check out Clarkston and that, as they say, was that. They moved into the community and began making connections with neighbors, learning their stories and their challenges. It became evident that jobs were hard to come by and the ones most often available did not offer opportunities to build language skills. Enter Refuge Coffee, offering job training and employment for local refugees as their raison d’etre. The program typically runs for 18 months so that each person can attain both the language and job skills needed to be successful in their post-Refuge working life.

How did a writer who painted bird houses as a side gig build a successful coffee shop among a world of corporate chains? Ever humble, Kitti says her super power as a founder is finding the right people. She also sees growth and progress in terms of people. Armed with her one word mission of welcome, Kitti and Bill started a grassroots effort to raise the funding and find the people to join them in this endeavor. Seeking wisdom and prayers alongside cash, Kitti and Bill landed both and hired a neighbor from the community as the first trainer. They also hired a young friend of their son’s to head up operations. The biggest barrier to entry was not the funding, even though they had to raise all that was needed. Fear and the tendency to second guess decisions were the biggest hurdles Kitti jumped in the early days. It’s hard to believe this quietly confident woman could have ever been lacking in that area - it is a mark of how much she has grown alongside Refuge Coffee.

For aspiring entrepreneurs—especially women looking to launch a business or non-profit—Kitti shares invaluable advice:

Live Your Mission – Your business should be a reflection of your life. Before founding Refuge Coffee, Kitti and Bill were already practicing hospitality in their daily lives. The business simply formalized their calling.

Commit Fully – Entrepreneurship isn’t just a career choice; it’s a lifestyle. The early years demand energy, sacrifice, and long hours, but if your mission aligns with your passion, the work will feel deeply fulfilling.

Recognize Your Weaknesses – Self-awareness is crucial. Understand what aspects of the business will challenge you the most and seek out people who can fill those gaps. Successful entrepreneurs build strong teams.

Embrace Fundraising – For non-profits and many small businesses, fundraising and financial sustainability will always be a priority. Get comfortable asking for support—whether it’s wisdom, prayers, or financial backing.

Looking to the future, Kitti is hopeful that Refuge Coffee continues to stay in the business of welcoming - focused on the main thing, people. Serving up warmth, jobs and smiles, should be a formula for continued success!