The McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund announced its support of women in the food and wine industries as the prime focus of its Professional Development Fund in 2022. The SHE CAN Fund also reveals the results of its Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Initiative and Academic Scholarship Program in partnership with Southern University, which awarded $50,000 to Southern University's Agricultural Research and Extension Center and College of Agricultural Family and Consumer Sciences (SU Ag).

Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, the flagship brand of Nearest Green Distillery, Shelbyville, Tenn., released of its long-awaited new packaging containing whiskey 100-percent distilled, aged and bottled by Uncle Nearest. It also unveiled its 2022 slate of whiskeys, which uses four different recipes. 

The Jack Daniel's Distillery and the Nearest Green Distillery announced that Minneapolis-based Du Nord Social Spirits, a small batch distillery producing gin, vodka, liqueurs and whiskeys, is the first graduate of the Business Incubation Program, one of the core pillars of the Nearest & Jack Advancement Initiative. 

When looking across various industries, representation among minority-owned brands remains low. Although this underrepresentation also affects the beverage industry, more companies are making an effort to reduce this gap through capital investments.

Constellation Brands Inc., Victor, N.Y., has acquired a minority stake in the fast-rising rosé label, La Fête du Rosé ― a brand created to cater to diverse drinkers who share common interests across travel, food, experiences and wine. The investment was made through Constellation’s venture capital group and represents the first company to receive investment dollars as part of Constellation’s Focus on Minority Founders initiative, which plans to invest $100 million in Black, Latinx, and minority-owned businesses by 2030, it says.

Recognizing the diverse range of delicious food, rich history and culture that Black-owned restaurants contribute to the American experience, Pepsi, a brand in Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo, introduced Dig In. The consumer-facing, multi-year platform is a rallying call for people to double down on supporting Black-owned restaurants.

In the spirit of Umoja (unity) and the seven principles of Kwanzaa, the New Harlem Coffee Co., New York, has released the aromatic Kwanzaa Blend of gourmet coffee. It is blended from multi-origin coffee beans, mainly Costa Rica and Central America. This special blend is roasted in small batches to create this specially spiced flavor, the company says.

Brough Brothers Distillery, Louisville, Ky., the first Black-owned distillery in Kentucky, opened its doors for business.

The National Urban League and PepsiCo, Purchase, N.Y., joined forces to create the Black Restaurant Accelerator, which will boost approximately 500 Black-owned businesses over the next five years.