The U.S. population continues to evolve. In the 2020 Census analysis for the U.S. Census Bureau, it is reported that the Black or African American in combination population grew by 88.7% since 2010 while the American Indian and Alaska Native population increased by 160% from 2010 to 2020. Meanwhile, the percentage of people who reported multiple races changed more than all of the race alone groups, increasing from 2.9% of the population (9 million people) in 2010 to 10.2% of the population (33.8 million people) in 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau states. The White population remained the largest race or ethnicity group, with 204.3 million people identifying as White alone. Given these shifting demographics as well as greater awareness of the importance of opportunities available to people of color, beverage companies during the past few years have dramatically stepped up their efforts to literally “change the face” and strive for more diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace.
Among the ways the beverage industry is bringing these important issues to the forefront is by creating diversity initiatives and foundations aimed at introducing people from underrepresented communities to the alcohol and non-alcohol sectors. It also is investing in Black-owned businesses like La Fête du Rosé wine founded by Donae Burston. La Fête du Rosé was the first brand invested in as part of Constellation Brands’ Focus on Minority Founders initiative, which plans to invest $100 million in Black, Latinx and minority-owned businesses by 2030.