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Amy and Ben Wright ’98 made it their mission to create an inclusive environment where individuals with intellectual developmental disabilities are valued and accepted. They sought opportunities to provide employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Amy’s vision for reducing the unemployment rate for people with IDD led her to establish Bitty’s & Beau’s Coffee, named after the couple’s two youngest children, both with Down syndrome.
The coffee shop opened in January 2016 with nearly a twenty staff members. Today, it employs 40 workers. Proceeds from the coffee shop fund Amy’s nonprofit, ABLE to Work USA, dedicated to helping individuals with IDD find meaningful employment.
Ben is the owner of Dye Creek Capital, an independent investment practice. His practice employs adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities as “client hospitality associates.”
The Wrights’ work to change perceptions of individuals with disabilities goes beyond their businesses. Amy has been a guest blogger for Maria Shriver's "Architects of Change,” created music videos for the Special Olympics and Best Buddies International and composed original music and lyrics for an album of children's music. Most recently, she completed a screenplay, which stars a young man with Down syndrome.
Ben, who earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy and religion from UNCW, has served as president of the board of Smart Start of New Hanover County and as chair of the investment committee and treasurer of the National Down Syndrome Society. In 2016, he was appointed to the board of trustees for the newly created North Carolina ABLE Program.
Bitty and Beau’s Coffee has received state and national attention, including being featured on the “Today Show,” “Rachel Ray Show,” “Good Morning America,” “Harry” and Southern Living and People magazines. The coffee shop was named the 2017 Coastal Entrepreneur of the Year, a joint program by UNCW’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Greater Wilmington Business Journal. Amy was selected as the 2017 CNN Hero of the Year.
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