. . . a roundup of inspiration and collaboration

Each February is Black History Month, and the craft beverage world keeps finding new ways to amplify black voices. As we move beyond February into the rest of the year, our industry can continue building awareness and learning from each other through black stories.

READING ROUNDUP

There's no shortage of articles on the intersection between black history and craft beverage. Here are some highlights:

• This alcohol service brand redefining ABV as "Amplifying Black Voices"

• The trail-blazing black bartenders who pioneered modern mixology

• The juicery partnering with black artists to create community-oriented label designs

• This cidery partnering with a black history museum to dedicate a special cider to Jupiter Evans—the slave who managed the cider-making process at Monticello

• The creators of the fruity BPE (Black Precious Energy), described as a "dry and effervescent IPA, bursting with aromas of peaches and dragonfruit, with a crisp finish"

• These black brewery owners who challenged stereotypes by starting the BPLB movement ("Black People Love Beer")

• This black-owned whiskey brand holding the door open for minority entrepreneurs

• The bartender's essential reading list of black authors

OLD ORCHARD

Old Orchard's parent company, Lassonde, announced its own program for Black History Month as part of our Diversity and Inclusion initiative. Countless employees at Old Orchard and its sister companies have participated in the following ways:

• Reading a company-provided book from Lassonde's reading list on black history

• Learning about black historical figures through weekly highlights on the corporate intranet

• Attending local or virtual events from a corporate resource calendar

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

If your craft brand is looking to start or expand its own diversity program, here are a few good examples and guidelines:

• Diversity in Wine and Spirits

• Antiracism, Equity & Inclusion from the American Cider Association (I highly recommend their Anti-Racism Newsletter)

• Diversity Program by the Brewers Association (including their new mentorship program)

• 5 Powerful Ways to Take REAL Action of DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) from the Center for Creative Leadership

• 6 Essential Steps to Creating a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee at Your Company

• 5 Ways to Develop a Long-Term Strategy for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion on Social Media (including an example post about black-owned wineries!)

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: How Financial Wellness Can Help

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Virtual Conference

Did your beverage brand do something unique for Black History Month or for a Diversity and Inclusion program? We'd love to hear about it. Contact us through the links below

Syrah "Sy" Linsley is the manager of Old Orchard's bulk supply program, which primarily serves the craft beverage industry with craft juice concentrates. Her passion for fruit-forward beverage evolved from the three years she spent as a fruitarian (only eating fruit) as well as the few years she worked in product development and fermentation. The highlight of Sy's day is to connect with craft beverage makers, so don't be shy: schedule a "Taproom Chat" or hear back from her through our contact form.

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