In the D.C. region, conversations often start with, “What do you do?” WTOP’s “Working Capital” series profiles the people whose jobs make the D.C. region run.
- Before Mechelle Merkerson became the first Black female international cigar education company owner in the world and the first Black international cigar educator in the D.C. area, she asked her father on her 23rd birthday to teach her how to enjoy cigars.
After saying no at first, he eventually agreed to teach her on her 23rd birthday in May 2018 as she developed a love of cigars.
She then realized that there was a lack of education around and decided to do something about it.
In that same year, Merkerson started doing cigar mixers to have cigar smokers come to a lounge, talk about their experience, drop cigar education and life knowledge, which led to more cigar mixers that grew to big groups.
In July 2022, she launched her cigar education platform called Cigars with “M”, in which she produces short-form content about cigars to inform curious minds. It has been used as a training tool for industry professionals, cigar lounges and consumers.
She said the cigar education experiences are an extension of the cigar education aspect of Cigars with “M,” adding that the classes, like the one she taught at The Craft DC on July 2, are more immersive, intimate and real knowledge being given to consumers.
“I started to explore in all areas of cigars and just immersing myself in the culture,” Merkerson told WTOP. “I enjoy cigars so much is just because it’s a never-ending activity. It’s a lifestyle, it is a way of life, and it’s a beautiful art form that kids can be absolutely appreciated.”
How the DC region helped elevate her cigar education career
The Florida native moved to the D.C. area in 2025 after spending some time in Richmond because she wanted to enhance her cigar education business in a bigger market, settling in Arlington, Virginia. She said it has been an enriching experience for her.
“As I’ve been here so far, I’ve been able to network with a lot of people, build many relationships, also continue my cigar education classes, and then expand doing international classes,” Merkerson said.
She was recently honored as the first-ever cigar education resident at Buddy’s DC, a sports bar in Northwest D.C. Merkerson was grateful to Buddy’s for the residency, which went from February to June of this year, and it gave her an opportunity to educate about cigars.
“(I) had the ability to create a space for me to be the first Black woman to have a cigar education residency in the industry as a whole,” she said.
Being a cigar educator has been the best job Merkerson has ever had and it has changed her life drastically. She always had faith in herself because of her passion for cigars.
“It’s motivating, it’s encouraging, it’s character-building. It is also me being able to stretch myself and just believe even more in what God can do in my life,” Merkerson said. “He’s definitely been working so hard for me because I’ve seen so many things that I would have never imagined happening for me.”
Being a Black woman in the cigar space
Even though Merkerson is the first Black female international cigar education company owner in the world and the first Black international cigar educator in the D.C. area, she hopes that she’s not the last.
“I’m grateful to be in this space. I welcome so many other people to join the cigar education realm,” she said. “It’s very encouraging to know that I am the first, but I don’t want to only be the person doing it. So I welcome folks.”
Merkerson believes that people should get into cigars because it’s a relaxing experience and to be around community.
“You should get into cigars if you’re wanting to be in spaces in which you probably may have not been had access to prior to and you should get into cigars if you truly want to have an activity that you continuously are always learning about,” she said. “It is such a beautiful art form.”
For more information, go to Cigars with "M" website.
