Fawn Weaver, the founder behind the Uncle Nearest portfolio of brands, has been officially inducted into the American Marketing Association New York Marketing Hall of Fame for 2025 — becoming only the third African American woman in history to receive this honor.

The prestigious recognition celebrates Weaver’s contributions to brand-building, cultural storytelling, and purpose-driven leadership that have redefined the landscape of modern marketing, the company says.

Weaver is honored in the category of Marketing for a Challenger Brand, recognizing her extraordinary success in building Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, Shelbyville, Tenn. Under her leadership, the brand has become among the fastest-growing and most awarded independent spirits brands, the company says.

By centering the brand around Nearest Green’s legacy, Weaver has reshaped the narrative of American whiskey, bringing long-overdue recognition to African American contributions in the spirits industry. One example of Weaver’s innovative approach is reflected in Uncle Nearest’s distribution strategy: partnering with top regional distributors (rather than a single national one) enabled the brand to expand to all 50 states in under two years, a feat previously unheard of in the spirits industry.

“I’m honored to receive this recognition, which reflects the power of truth in storytelling,” Weaver said in a statement. “We didn’t build Uncle Nearest by following a traditional playbook — we led with authenticity and a commitment to honoring the legacy of those who came before us. Even with all the accolades, we still do not consider ourselves to be in the whiskey business. We are in the legacy-cementing business and will not slow down until Nearest Green’s name and legacy are ubiquitous around the world. To be recognized among the most influential marketers is a testament to the idea that purpose and profit can grow together.”

Weaver was formally inducted at the 2025 Marketing Hall of Fame ceremony May 21 at UM’s Global Headquarters in New York City. She joins a class of distinguished honorees including Ken Reinhard, chairman emeritus of DDB Worldwide, and Tim Ellis, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of the NFL, underscoring the caliber of marketing leadership recognized by this year’s awards.