An enslaved man who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey

Fawn Weaver

Fawn Weaver is behind the distillery honoring an enslaved black who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey. Praised for its smoothness, rich flavors of caramel, vanilla, oak, and fruit (like apricot/banana), UncleNearest is a whiskey brand and heritage project centered on the life and legacy of Nathan “Nearest” Green, the formerly enslaved American Black man who taught Jack Daniel how to distill whiskey in the 19th century. The brand spotlights Nearest’s role as a master distiller through a premium whiskey lineup, including aged Tennessee whiskies and limited releases, produced at the Uncle Nearest Distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee.

• Mission and legacy: Commemorates Nathan “Nearest” Green’s contribution to American whiskey, reframing historical recognition and celebrating Black craftsmanship in distilling.

• Product offerings: A range of Tennessee whiskies (including aged expressions and special editions) marketed for quality and heritage storytelling.

• Distillery and visitor experience: Operates a distillery with tours and a visitor center to share Nearest’s story, whiskey-making processes, and tastings.

• Education and philanthropy: The Uncle Nearest Foundation supports Black distillers and hospitality professionals through scholarships, training, and business development programs; initiatives aim to expand representation in the industry.

• Brand achievements: Emphasizes awards, industry recognition, and rapid growth as one of the fastest-growing American whiskey brands.

• Storytelling and media: Uses historical research, partnerships, and museum-quality exhibits to document and promote Nearest’s life, including books, films, or documentary projects tied to the brand’s narrative.

Overall, UncleNearest positions itself as both a premium whiskey producer and a cultural corrective—commercially successful while also investing in historical recognition and opportunities for Black professionals in the spirits industry.

Visit > https://unclenearest.com/

Brooklyn Sweet Spot - Your Happy Place

Born out of love, driven by a passion for exceptional desserts and the simple necessity of having a neighborhood bakery that truly delivers, Brooklyn Sweet Spot is a small, hands-on bakery where every treat is made with care. The shop was founded by Kym Rodgers who grew up baking with family, learning recipes and techniques at the counter while watching flour-dusted hands turn simple ingredients into moments of joy. That early education became a lifelong devotion to flavor, texture, and presentation.

The owner believes desserts should be honest: baked fresh every day, from scratch, using wholesome ingredients. No shortcuts, no artificial gimmicks—just butter, real vanilla, seasonal fruits, quality chocolate, and thoughtfully selected flours and sugars. This commitment shows in everything on the counter, from flaky croissants and buttery cookies to delicate tarts and rich layer cakes. Each item is tested and perfected until it reliably delights the discerning palate that seeks both beautiful presentation and superior taste.

Brooklyn Sweet Spot is as much about atmosphere as it is about product. The shop’s display cases are curated so that every pastry looks inviting and thoughtfully arranged, reflecting the owner’s eye for detail. Behind the scenes, small-batch methods and daily baking rhythms ensure freshness and consistency. The team—led by the owner—values transparency and hospitality: customers are welcome to ask about ingredients, custom orders, and seasonal offerings.

Custom orders are a specialty. Whether it’s a celebration cake finished with precise decoration, a box of assorted petites for a gathering, or bespoke cookies that match an event’s theme, the owner works directly with customers to translate vision into flavor. Sustainability and community matter, too: the bakery sources local and seasonal produce when possible and supports neighborhood events and causes that align with its values.

Brooklyn Sweet Spot is a place for people who care about the provenance and quality of their sweets, who want pastries that look as good as they taste, and who appreciate the warmth of a bakery run by someone who truly loves what they do.

Visit > https://www.thebrooklynsweetspot.com/

This award-winning luxury rum brand is made in Ghana

Amma Mensah is the Founder & CEO of an award-winning luxury rum brand that’s bringing Ghanian culture, history, and industry innovation front and center globally. When we hear the word rum, typically we think about Jamaica, Haiti, Barbados, Cuba and other places that’s known for it. However, Ghanian brand REIGN is now paving the way to potentially be one of the best rum brands globally. All-hail REIGN.

Visit > https://www.reignrum.com/home

Goldee’s Bar-B-Q is a winner in Texas

Co-owner Jalen states Goldee’s BBQ restaurant is the #1 bbq spot in Texas according to @texasmonthly and their moms. If mom approves and loves it, usually it’s a winner. This hidden gem in Kennedale, Texas is known for its amazing smoked brisket, ribs, turkey, banana pudding, and sausages, so much that it literally sells out based on the long lines that start 5 hours prior to Goldee’s BBQ opening its doors. WOW! A pre-order pick-up window would definitely come in handy. Nonetheless, many customers say the wait is well worth it.

Jalen, Goldee’s BBQ Co-owner

Oh my! Leon’s Barbecue

Leon’s Barbecue has been in business for over 25 years and is renown as “World Famous BBQ” with the finest, freshest, most mouth watering BBQ in the South, which also earned Leon the title DR. BAR-B-Q. Leon says, “what makes their BBQ so unique is the special sauce”, which has been handed down from generations. Those special herbs and spices are created down on the San Bernard River and specially shipped to Galveston, Texas. Enjoy menu items like the prime beef brisket, young and tender spare ribs, stuffed baked potato and the turkey legs.

Leon's saying is "If You Try Us”.

Mmmh! Soul Snacks Cookie - recipe since 1916

New Yorker Ralph Rolle started off as a musician playing with legends such as Aretha Franklin, Queen Latifah, Erykah Badu, Sting, and Bono - then “flipped the script” and decided to create the amazingly delicious Soul Snacks cookie brand. Rolle used his connects and resources to sell his cookies first in Dougie Fresh and Melba Moores restaurants, and he now has a cookie factory in the Bronx.

Rolle uses his century old family recipes created by his Grandma Leola [b. 1900 in Ocilla, Georgia] of baking with ethically sourced wholesome ingredients; satisfying the mind, body and spirit. Soul Snacks stands by her philosophy and deep commitment to fresh-baked delicious wholesome snacks, made with care and extreme pride. We can definitely taste that pride! ;)

You can find Soul Snacks online or in your local Walmart or Kroger stores.

Zach and Zoe Sweet Bee Farm

The Johnson family is on a mission to change how people view honey and bees, one delicious jar at a time with their Zack and Zoe Sweet Bee Farm products.

How did their journey start with beekeeping?

When their youngest son Zach’s asthma and bad seasonal allergies worsened when they moved to rural Kingwood Township, New Jersey, they searched for a countless number of remedies to help alleviate his allergic reaction. The Johnson family is always cognizant about prescribing medicines for their children and often seek out natural treatments whenever possible. After educating themselves on the benefits of raw honey and its ability to prevent allergies through a concept called immunotherapy, they decided to give it a try.

“Immunotherapy is a process that strategically exposes your body to the element you are allergic to, which over time should make you less sensitive to it.” After practices immunotherapy with Zach, they noticed a huge difference in his allergies, which led the family to an increased curiosity about beekeeping. After months of research and coaxing by their local beekeeping community and friends, they officially started the journey that led to creating their company, Zack and Zoe Sweet Bee Farm.

Zack and Zoe Sweet Bee Farm pride themselves in having no pesticides and no additives, “just PURE, RAW HONEY from bees they value, nurture, and love”, which we all get to enjoy.

Slim and Husky’s Hip-Hop inspired pizza pies

The owners, EJ Reed is the "slim” and Derrick Moore and Clint Gray, who are former football players at Tennessee State, are the "huskies." The first restaurant was opened in Nashville in 2017. Later, in November of 2017 and June 2018, they opened two additional locations; one in North Nashville and one in Antioch, TN. According to an article with Essence Magazine, Gray expressed, “Being young and black growing up in Nashville, we loved southern hip-hop, and artists like Master P, Biggie, and Tupac,”.

What makes Slim & Husky’s so special is that they use fresh, local ingredients, specialty sauces and house-made cheese blends. Slim and Husky’s has expanded from Tennessee to new locations in Atlanta, GA. Slim & Husky’s is in the historic district of Adair Park and in the West Midtown area. Both locations are in close vicinity to the new Atlanta Beltline bike and walk trail which have had a substantial growth in residents and businesses.

To maintain their business and friendships their egos always take a backseat. “We don’t try to take on the same roles,” says Gray. “We focus on staying in each of our lanes…”

Slim & Husky’s also value giving back to the black communities and have fed over 1,200 students surrounding their locations during 2017. This is truly what a community business is about. Excellence, leadership and giving back.

Shop and walk-out at Nourish + Bloom Food Market

Founders Jilea and Jamie Hemmings created a marketplace that allows shoppers to pick up their favorite grocer items and checkout literally when they walk out the door. Here’s how it all started. The Hemmings entered the food industry because they wanted to create more healthy diet options for their son, who was diagnosed with autism. This birthed their first plant-based product called Greenie Tots for kids, which is the first company to make all-natural frozen entrees for kids with a healthy meat-free twist.

Fast forward to an era of dangerous viruses and bacteria, many customers now prefer self-checkout and touchless experiences. The Hemmings recognized this need and created a shopping store experience called, Nourish + Bloom Market, that allow customers to download the N+B mobile app (coming soon), scan a QR code at entry, shop, and then walk out the store.

Nourish + Bloom is a market that offers a variety of produce, baked goods, meats, prepared meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), diary and crafted items locally, as well as the everyday convenience items. The caveat is, no GMO’s or high fructose corn syrup products are allowed. Well, I don’t think we will miss those products much. Local brands are given the highest priority in the store to reduce their carbon footprint. The initial flagship store is located in Fayetteville, Georgia. Their goal is to expand Nourish + Bloom to multiple locations.

The Hemmings are also doing great things in the community and have teamed up with Microsoft, Coca-Cola and others to create STEM mentorship programs for underserved communities.

You can visit and shop at Nourish + Bloom @ 300 Trilith Pkwy Suite 250, Fayetteville, GA 30214.

This family owned Popcorn business is poppin’ on taste

Let’s Get Poppin is a family owned business established in 1995. Currently they only have one location, which is located in the Beverly/Morgan Park area in Chicago, Illinois. Their main goal is to give their customers a product that they will enjoy so much, that they would want to come back for more. Let’s Get Poppin offers unique flavorful popcorn that can be ordered by the tin and shipped anywhere in the United States. They pride themselves on having the best customer service you have ever experienced.

Choose from so many mouthwatering popcorn flavors, such as Pecan Caramel, Bacon Cheddar Cheese, BBQ, Jalapeño Red Pepper and Garlic Parmesan to name some. With so many flavors, you’ll definitely be coming back for more.

Two sisters own the largest Black-owned Wine Company in the United States

These two amazing queens are making a difference in the winemaking industry for their family and generations to come. The McBride sisters grew up in Monterey, California and Marlborough, New Zealand among the vines and have carved out a path that they consider to be destiny.

Andréa and Robin are both passionate about all things wine; a love affair that was planted within them from an early age while growing up in two of the world’s most iconic wine-growing regions. In 2005, it was in California that they found themselves together and decided to shake up the industry with a blend of old-world elegance and new-world finesse. It was then that the McBride Sisters Collection was born.

As forward-thinking leaders in an industry historically defined by tradition and gender, Andréa and Robin saw every obstacle as an opportunity to chart their own path rather than follow the standard formula.

Their signature McBride Sisters Collection wine flavors are designed for all palates and is an ode to their history, culture and story and made to be enjoyed by all. The McBride Sisters’ mission has become clear—to transform the industry,

“LEAD BY EXAMPLE, AND CULTIVATE COMMUNITY, ONE DELICIOUS GLASS OF WINE, AT A TIME.”

McBride Sisters has grown to become the largest Black-owned wine company in the United States and one of the most inclusive, accessible, socially aware and sustainable.

Follow at @mcbridesisters