How An African American Woman, Fawn Weaver, Revolutionized the Whiskey Industry – A RAINBOW OF ROLE MODELS {WEDNESDAY SERIES}
I celebrate ACHIEVEMENT EVERY DAY! When I discover role models, I do not see skin color, age, religion, sex, attractiveness (ok, I like beautiful ladies), or other nonessentials. I love learning from inspirational people who inspire me to drop MY EXCUSES and DO IT! Role models who stretch my ambitions and make me reach for the impossible.
There is dignity in achievement and success—in becoming a great factor in civilization.” Carter G. Woodson.
I hope you will share these short articles; perhaps a few people will be curious to learn more.
Disclaimer: Good Day, Readers. WealthBuildingPowers blog is a financial literacy/competency blog and does not provide specific investment recommendations.
STYRON’S INTRODUCTION
I love learning about successful, resilient entrepreneurs and others who GET THE JOB DONE! Fawn Weaver is such a woman. Greatness requires failures and the ability to pull yourself up. Fawn attempted suicide four times. Fortunately, for the hundreds of people her company now employs, she failed, got up, and got it done. RESPECT!
Fawn Weaver Revolutionized the Whiskey Industry – A RAINBOW OF ROLE MODELS {WEDNESDAY SERIES}
No one told Fawn Weaver distilleries are owned and operated by men, primarily white. Fawn Weaver, an African American woman full of inspiration and spirit, broke that barrier wide open, like an empty (not going to waste it) whiskey bottle. Fawn is a resilient, passionate entrepreneur who gets the job done! It reminds me of another successful African American, Elon Musk!
Actually, she was told about the male and white reasoning and ignored both! Good whiskey does not care about your sex or skin color!
Fawn Weaver’s Story
Fawn’s parents gave her two choices at 15: Our way or move out. Her Mom recalls seeing her 15-year-old walk out the door with a backpack and lunch pail. DAMN! To see the rest of her fascinating and challenging journey, click below.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=760609469621860
THE LEGACY OF NATHAN “NEAREST” GREEN
Nathan “Nearest” Green, a slave, was an American head stiller, commonly called “Master Distiller”. Nearest was freed after the Civil War. He taught his distinct distilling techniques to Jack Daniel, founder of Jack Daniel’s Whiskey, and was hired as the first master distiller for Jack Daniel Distillery. Nearest was also the first black master distiller in the United States.
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey
“In 2016, Weaver went to Tennessee to interview Nearest Green’s descendants for a book project. Weaver’s work helped reveal the history of Jack Daniel Distillery included Nearest Green as its first master distiller and mentor to a young Jack Daniel, inspiring her to found and launch the Nearest Green Distillery and the Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey brand in 2017. This made Weaver the first African-American woman to head a major spirits brand, and also the first American spirit brand with an all-female executive team. In 2019, was the first African-American featured on the cover of American Whiskey magazine.[13]
By 2018, the brand had expanded to 12 countries, and is now the best-selling African-American owned spirit ever. In September 2019, Uncle Nearest opened its first distillery, set on a 270-acre ranch in Shelbyville, Tennessee.[9]
Before establishing the distillery, Weaver also founded the Nearest Green Foundation, which honors the legacy of {Nearest} Green with a scholarship program, a museum, a memorial park, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey and a book. The foundation also provides full college scholarships for any of Green’s descendants to attend the school of their choice. She also helped create the Nearest & Jack Advancement Initiative, a joint venture between the foundation and Jack Daniel’s. It includes the Nearest Green School of Distilling certification program at Motlow State Community College, a Leadership Acceleration Program that offers apprenticeships to African-Americans, and a business incubation program for black micro distillers.[19]
In 2020, Weaver started the Black Business Booster program, to help ten Black-owned spirits companies with branding, distribution, and capital. In June 2021, Weaver and Uncle Nearest formed the $50 million Uncle Nearest Venture Fund to invest in minority-owned spirits companies.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fawn_Weaver
Inspiring the Next Generation
Fawn Weaver was inspired by an inspirational former slave who helped create a well-known global whiskey brand. She is determined to preserve his legacy and inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs, particularly women and people of color. Through speaking engagements, mentorship programs, and community initiatives, Fawn empowers others to fearlessly pursue their passions and embrace their unique talents and perspectives.
WHY I WRITE THE ROLE MODEL SERIES
For years, I read about dozens of previously unheard-of role models. Their stories taught me not to dwell on my failures but to work harder. These men and women demonstrated impossible is just a word. With their determination and resilience, they erased that word!
Fawn Weaver’s journey as a whiskey entrepreneur embodies the power of vision, perseverance, and purpose. By honoring tradition, embracing herself, and inspiring others, she leaves an indelible mark on the world of spirits and a legacy that will endure for generations.
Next Wednesday’s blog features Nathan “Nearest” Green
WHAT SUBJECTS DO YOU WANT TO READ NEXT? WHAT QUESTIONS CAN I ANSWER? UNTIL NEXT TIME!
LET’S EARN YOUR FINANCIAL FREEDOM!
BECAUSE I CARE
St Jude Hospital: The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures and means of prevention for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion, or a family’s ability to pay.https://www.stjude.org/
Wounded Warrior Project: An American charity and veterans service organization that offers a variety of programs, services, and events for wounded veterans of the military https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org
Folds of Honor: Providing life-changing scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military. And now, our mission expands to the families of America’s first responders. On our watch, those who protect our freedoms and our families will know they are not forgotten. https://foldsofhonor.org
Wilson’s No-Kill Animal Shelter: A N0-Kill shelter that is a top-rated non-profit. They compassionately care for all their animals. wilsoncountynokillanimalshelter.mywcn.com
Tunnel To Towers: Since 9/11, we have been helping America’s heroes by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. We are also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness and helping America to Never Forget September 11, 2001. https://dogood.t2t.org/give/320847/#!/donation/checkout
YOUR GREATNESS IS NOT WHAT YOU HAVE; IT’S WHAT YOU GIVE!
TRUST ME – YOU WILL LIKE THE BELOW POPULAR BLOGS!
YOUR GREATNESS IS NOT WHAT YOU HAVE; IT’s WHAT YOU GIVE!
YOUR GREATNESS IS NOT WHAT YOU HAVE; IT’S WHAT YOU GIVE!
A RAINBOW OF ROLE MODELS {WEDNESDAY SERIES} – BADRINARAYANAN KOTHANDARAMAN, ENPHASE ENERGY, CEO
RAINBOW OF ROLE MODELS– TEACHER RAYMOND NELSON CREATES GENTLEMEN’S CLUB TO TEACH LIFE LESSONS TO BOYS WHO HAVE NO DADS AT HOME
A RAINBOW OF ROLE MODELS {WEDNESDAY SERIES} – MARIO HOOVER – 16 YEARS OLD!
A RAINBOW OF ROLE MODELS {WEDNESDAY SERIES} – LEGENDARY INVESTOR JOHN ROGERS JR
https://wealthbuildingpowers.com/2022/03/09/black-and-brown-role-models-series-legendary-investor-john-rogers-jr/
BLACK HISTORY MONTH ROLE MODELS {SERIES} – ROBERT L. JOHNSON, FOUNDER BET – FEBRUARY 24, 2022
BLACK HISTORY MONTH ROLE MODELS {SERIES} – JAMES AND JILEA HEMMINGS BECOME THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICANS OWNERS OF AN AUTONOMOUS GROCERY STORE – ON FEBRUARY 25, 2022
https://wealthbuildingpowers.com/2022/02/25/black-history-month-role-models-james-and-jilea-hemmings-become-first-african-americans-owners-of-an-autonomous-grocery-store-february-25-2022/
BLACK HISTORY MONTH ROLE MODELS {SERIES} BILLIONAIRE ROBERT F. SMITH – FEBRUARY 23, 2022
BLACK HISTORY MONTH ROLE MODELS -REGINALD LEWIS – FEBRUARY 22, 2022
https://wealthbuildingpowers.com/2022/02/22/black-history-month-role-models-reginald-lewis-february-22-2022/
“WHAT WE BECOME DEPENDS ON WHAT OUR FATHERS TEACH US AT ODD MOMENTS, WHEN THEY AREN’T TRYING TO TEACH US”
https://wealthbuildingpowers.com/2021/11/03/what-we-become-depends-on-what-our-fathers-teach-us-at-odd-moments-when-they-arent-trying-to-teach-us/
WE NEED MORE STEM MAJORS AND LEGACIES LIKE MYLES JOHNSON!
WE NEED MORE STEM MAJORS AND LEGACIES LIKE MYLES JOHNSON!
DADS WHO RAISED ME TO BE MORE THAN I COULD BE!
DADS WHO RAISED ME TO BE MORE THAN I COULD BE!
CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY – “EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON WITH WHICH YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD” NELSON MANDELLA
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ABOUT ME
I am a proud nerd (as my beautiful wife and daughter have told me) investment and finance blogger with an N.C. State, Chemical Engineering, University Rutgers, MBA and Harvard University, Advanced Management education.
I left a corporate career because I desired to make a difference as a speaker and writer. I was blessed to be coached and mentored by strong women and men in my family and professional life. It is my time to serve and give back.
DISCLAIMER
I started my first business at ~13 years of age (a small but brilliantly created plant nursery). I am a successful investor in stocks, options, and real estate and am happy to share my finance and investment lessons. I am NOT a licensed financial advisor. Please do not construe my suggestions on this blog as recommendations for your situation. As an investor, you must establish your risk/loss tolerance. Investment in any asset involves risk, including complete loss.
Please seek your licensed CPA or fiduciary financial advisors for individual financial advice.
I write this weekly blog to make an impact by reaching an audience and demonstrating the need for financial literacy. I will help you get there.
