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Beyoncé respects the legacy of those who came before her. Throughout her decades-long career as a musician and entrepreneur, she has made it her mission to uplift pioneers. Her heart posture has not wavered even in her most recent endeavors, which include “Cowboy Carter.” The country-inspired album placed a spotlight on The Beatles, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and Linda Martell while also uplifting the newer generation that have been making their mark, including Shaboozey, who has currently been at the top spot on the Billboard 100 for his single “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” notes Billboard. SirDavis As a businesswoman, this is being reflected in the launch of her whiskey brand SirDavis, in partnership with Moët Hennessy. As AFROTECH™ previously mentioned, the American whiskey made with a “bespoke recipe” inspired by Japanese and Scottish styles had been in the works for several years. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce) “I’ll never forget the first day I had...
History has been made by Sheila Jackson and Natasha McCrea. They are reportedly the first Black women entrepreneurs to own a whiskey brand in the state of California. The founders’ vision stemmed from a 2020 conversation held over dinner when they bonded through a shared interest in whiskey. It was then that they came to an understanding they could make their mark in the industry by entering into business together. “…Many women love whiskey but we are never included in the conversation,” McCrea said during an interview with Canvas Rebel. “We talked about how whiskey sales were on the rise and how we had both thought about starting a whiskey brand. In that moment we decided we should be the women who disrupt an entire industry.” In 2022, Jackson McCrea was launched. Both founders bring together past career experiences in separate fields. Jackson helms a production company uplifting Black woman and leads “The Good CEO” podcast, speaking with “bold, unapologetic CEOs.” “My entire...
Uncle Nearest is making history as the fastest-growing American whiskey brand ever, according to Forbes. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Fawn Weaver serves as founder and CEO and established the company to honor “Nearest” Green, a formerly enslaved man who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey. The company has since received significant backing, even in the midst of Weaver’s clear stance that she has no intention of selling the business, which has grown to include a 458-acre distillery with the world’s longest bar (518 feet). Products are now featured in over 30,000 stores, bars, hotels, and restaurants in 12 countries. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey (@unclenearest) By November 2023, Weaver had raised $225 million in individual support. Per Forbes, the business is backed by 163 individual investors, providing an average check of $500,000 a person. “The most difficult thing in starting any business. It’s always the capital,” Weaver told...
Uncle Nearest’s presence in the spirits sector continues to rise. The whiskey company, established in 2016 by Fawn Weaver to honor Nathan “Nearest” Green, a formerly enslaved man who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey, has scaled into 30,000 stores, bars, hotels, and restaurant s in 12 countries, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. In its latest report, Bloomberg notes Weaver aspires to own a larger share of the spirits market. This stance has motivated the company to purchase vodka maker Square One Organic Spirits. Additionally, she mentions a settled legal dispute between Diageo Plc and Sean “Diddy” Combs concerning his vodka brand as a contributing factor for her latest acquisition, noting a void in the market and the importance of having a Black-owned vodka occupy space. The market is heavily dominated by major players such as Diageo PLC and LVMH, with valuations totaling nearly $79 billion and $423 billion, respectively, the outlet mentions. Uncle Nearest continues to gain a...
Founder Fawn Weaver’s Uncle Nearest is on the brink of reaching unicorn status, Fortune reports. As AFROTECH previously mentioned, Weaver leads the Black-owned whiskey company created in 2016 to commemorate Nathan “Nearest” Green, a formerly enslaved man who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey. The company has made significant strides in the spirits industry and is currently available in over 30,000 stores, bars, hotels, and restaurants in 12 countries, per Fortune. The company also boasts a 432-acre distillery located in Shelbyville, TN, which attracted 200,000 visitors in 2023, and has expanded to include an estate in Cognac, France, which encompasses “over 100 acres with Charente River frontage and a unique island.” A part of the company’s continued success has been its ability to secure funding from individual support. Weaver previously mentioned to AFROTECH that the company has raised $225 million that way, its total since launching. “I’ve never sent a pitch deck,” Weaver...
‘Tis the season to be jolly means different things for different people, but one common denominator in bringing in Christmas joy is seasonal cocktails and spirits. From eggnog to cranberry-infused drinks, the option for a holiday beverage is endless. Building the base for these drinks starts with solid liquor, and Black-owned whiskey brand Uncle Nearest’s latest revenue mark proves it is a possible choice for all to enjoy. via GIPHY
It’s no question that Malcolm Jenkins has continuously been on the frontline in support of Black and brown entrepreneurs. Spearheading change through Broad Street Ventures, the first Black athlete-led venture capital fund, the two-time Super Bowl champion has been on go-mode since its launch. As previously reported by AfroTech, the $10 million investment fund further created space for Black and brown women after bringing India Robinson and Sara “Lovestyle” Hood on board as investors. Now, less than four months later, Jenkins is onto his next impactful venture under Malcolm Inc. — his holding company.
A$AP Rocky is on to his next venture! According to a press release the rapper and entrepreneur is dropping a new whiskey on the market in collaboration with Global Brand Equities and E. & J. Gallo. “I’m so excited and grateful to finally introduce Mercer + Prince to the world. I have wanted to launch a whisky for a few years, but it was difficult to find partners willing to innovate to the level I envisioned. Fortunately, I found those partners in Global Brand Equities and Gallo,” A$AP Rocky said, according to a press release.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are the institutions responsible for breeding the next generation of Black business owners and entrepreneurs. As the leaders of many industries, Black founders have the power to change them for the better — starting with their diversity problem. As a product of Florida A&M University (FAMU), founder Darrin Eakins had a vision to create a brand (a whiskey brand to be exact) inspired by a significant part of his college experience called DuBlase. Today, that brand represents a revolutionary act for Black founders breaking into the spirits industry and actually owning their spirits. Now, Eakins hopes to position his own brand as a catalyst for change to champion more Black ownership in an industry that lacks true diversity and equity.
Black woman-owned Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey is breaking ground in new territory! Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey is on the right track as the fastest-growing American whiskey brand in U.S. history. Now, the company has announced that it just closed a $2.1 million deal to acquire an additional 53.12 acres of land on Highway 231 North which is in close proximity to its Nearest Green Distillery. According to PR Newswire, the land will not only bring the distillery’s total acreage to 323.12, but will also extend its building to over half a mile along the highway. Thanks to this expansion, Uncle Nearest will be able to utilize 100 acres to plan and grow its very own non-GMO organic corn, known as the “Field of Dreams.” The sole purpose of the corn will be to create the brand’s premium, award-winning whiskeys and continue the Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey reign as the most awarded whiskey or bourbon for the fourth consecutive year. Currently, they hold the title for 2019, 2020, and 2021...
Bulleit Frontier Whiskey, one of the fastest-growing independent whiskey brands, has announced that it has partnered with a popular Historically Black College and University (HBCU) for a new grant program. In a press release announcement, it was revealed that the Diageo-distributed brand will be working with Kentucky State University (KSU) to provide financial aid totaling $25,000 for talented students. This grant/scholarship program will be available to students who apply to the Master of Agriculture Sciences in Environmental Studies (MES) program. For Bulleit Frontier Whiskey’s part, however, their goal is to promote diversity in the spirits industry — an industry dominated by white people, and specifically, white men — as well as to provide opportunities to Black men and women in Kentucky. “We hope to make a lasting impact as we provide resources, funding, and support to the next generation of pioneers through our partnership with Kentucky State University, an institution that...
Jamie Foxx has done it all and now he’s venturing into the spirits industry. Flavored Whiskey brand BSB-Brown Sugar Bourbon has announced the award-winning actor, musician, and entrepreneur as the company’s new owner, reports Travel Noire. Under his leadership, Foxx will lend his entrepreneurial spirit and guide the creative direction to help further the brand’s expansion. The new packaging of BSB is a turning point for the brand with a goal to anchor its position as the nation’s premier flavored whiskey equipped with style and sophistication for any event. “I’ve always lived by the rule that life is short, and you need to go out and do what you want to do. Owning a brand that brings sweet life to the party has always been a goal and with BSB we’re making it happen,” said Foxx in a news release. “Before the quarantine I watched bottles of BSB disappear at all my celebrations and knew this was a brand I wanted to bring into the spotlight. Anyone who tries BSB is going to love it just...
If you’re a whiskey lover, you are in for a treat! Jason Ridgel is a Black entrepreneur who just signed a historic partnership deal with a Kentucky-based Black-owned distributor for his whiskey brand, Guidance Whiskey. With this power move, the Tennessee-based whiskey has been selling like hotcakes! Founded in 2018, Guidance Whiskey is a premium craft whiskey that’s produced in small batches to fully ensure its taste and quality would appeal to consumers’ preferences, particularly African Americans. According to BlackBusiness.com , you can find Guidance Whiskey online for delivery in 43 states as well as on the shelves in stores in Kentucky, Florida, California, Georgia, and Tennessee. Now, with this partnership deal, the products will be on the shelves of 50 more retail locations in five states, which includes 10 stores in Kentucky. Ridgel shares how he had to go through a lot of “nos” before achieving such a big “yes.” “I was told ‘no’ by a bunch of distributors,” he said in an...