Uncle Nearest pledges $50m to minority-owned brands 2nd June, 2021 by Melita Kiely
American whiskey brand Uncle Nearest has launched a US$50 million fund to support minority-owned spirits brands, and create a ‘Black Wall Street’ within the industry.
Fawn Weaver, CEO and founder of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey
The Uncle Nearest Venture Fund launched to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the destruction of Black Wall Street, according to Fawn Weaver, founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest. The fund will also support minority-founded firms.
Weaver said: “On 1 June 1921, an entire community of wealthy and successful African Americans was wiped out in a matter of hours. We are talking about 35 square blocks known as Black Wall Street.
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SHELBYVILLE, Tenn., June 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ Today,
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, the fastest-growing American whiskey brand in U.S. history and the most-awarded Bourbon of 2019 and 2020 worldwide, announced the formation of the Uncle Nearest Venture Fund. The $50 million fund was created specifically to invest in rapidly growing, minority-founded and owned spirit brands. According to Fawn Weaver, Uncle Nearest founder and CEO, it s by design that the timing of the announcement comes on the 100
th anniversary of the destruction of Black Wall Street.
Fawn Weaver, Uncle Nearest founder and CEO, and founder of the Uncle Nearest Venture Fund On June 1, 1921, an entire community of wealthy and successful African Americans was wiped out in a matter of hours. We are talking about 35 square blocks known as Black Wall Street, said Weaver. As an African American, learning about that history broke my heart because we, as a people, were really onto something in
SGWS ramps up digital focus with Reserve Bar 20th April, 2021 by Nicola Carruthers
The alcohol sector has undergone a “significant digital transformation”, according to the chief growth officer for US distribution giant Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (SGWS), which recently invested in online platform Reserve Bar.
Reserve Bar is the leading e-commerce platform for premium and luxury spirits
Last month, SGWS acquired an equity stake in alcohol e-commerce platform Reserve Bar for an undisclosed sum. SGWS is the biggest alcohol distributor in the States.
The investment in Reserve Bar was made through the company’s Ventures arm.
According to David Chaplin, SGWS’ chief growth officer, the digital transformation of the industry will “continue to grow exponentially”. The pandemic accelerated the move to online channels over the past year.