PepsiCo Inc., Purchase, N.Y., published its most recent Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Report, illustrating actions that are driving equity and further embedding pep+ into the organization. Key accomplishments include making progress on gender parity in management globally, maintaining pay equity, while supporting historically marginalized communities around the world. 

PepsiCo Inc., Purchase, N.Y., announced the launch of its Greenhouse Accelerator Program: Juntos Crecemos (Together We Grow) Edition. This year marks the eighth year of the Greenhouse Accelerator program, and the first-ever Hispanic edition, which focuses on driving growth of emerging Hispanic-owned food and beverage businesses through collaboration and innovation.

Since launching its Pre-Accelerator Programme in July 2021, Distill Ventures (DV), an independent drinks accelerator devoted to building and scaling the drinks brands of the future, has invested its initial goal of $5 million to entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities. Now, DV is announcing its aim to invest an additional $5 million in global funding committed by Diageo, DV’s sole funding partner, during the next year. 

Drizly, an Uber Company and a leading beverage alcohol eCommerce shop, announced its Sip with Purpose initiative, a new program dedicated to supporting and driving growth of brands owned by members of historically underrepresented groups in the beverage alcohol industry. This initiative includes a $4 million media commitment to raise awareness and support these brands, as well as the launch of Drizly’s Brand Accelerator Program.

Long Island City, N.Y.-based Hella Cocktail Co., a brand of botanically inspired mixers and cocktails, announced a $5 million investment from a fellow BIPOC-owned company, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, Shelbyville, Tenn.

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).

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. 

Napa Valley, Calif.-based fine wine importer Demeine Estates is solidifying its commitment to leadership in the wine industry with the launch of its Dream It, Live It campaign, an annually selected professional partnership opportunity aimed toward wine entrepreneurs. 

In celebration of LGBTQ+ History Month, Miller Lite, a brand of Chicago-based Molson Coors Beverage Co., is partnering with historian Eric Cervini for the release of “Beers and Queer History,” a brief history guide detailing how bars and bar culture have played a crucial role in empowering the community to live authentically and freely, the company says.