Meet The Graduates Of One Of The Whiskey Industry’s First Diversity Initiatives

Two years ago, Jack Daniel’s and Uncle Nearest launched a comprehensive new advancement program aimed at broadening the diversity of the distilling scene. Now, the first graduates have completed their studies and ready to start top roles at both distilleries.

At Jack Daniel’s, graduate Byron Copeland’s new role will find him overseeing operations, with a focus on elevating and innovating the whiskey making experience alongside Master Distiller Chris Fletcher and Assistant Distiller Lexie Phillips. Prior to Jack, Copeland cut his teeth at the Jack Daniel cooperage, Sabra Dipping Company, Target and Atlanta Gas Light.

Fellow graduate Tracie Franklin, a former bartender and whiskey ambassador, is on track to join the Nearest Green Distillery as Head Distiller. Future graduates of the program include Du Nord Social Spirits, a small batch distillery in Minneapolas who actively recruits women and racial minorities.

Jack Daniel’s and Nearest Greens advancement initiative was launched in 2020 to bloom diversity within the spirits industry. As stated, the “this joint initiative aims [to] work with participants representing the BIPOC community who aspire to become head distillers, heads of maturation, and production managers. The pledge will also provide mentorship to BIPOC entrepreneurs while advancing STEM and distilling focused skills within the Tennessee college curriculum.”

The program consists of three programs, a Leadership Acceleration Program, Business Incubation Program, and partnership with Motlow State College.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better experience than being part of the Nearest & Jack Advancement Initiative. Learning so many aspects of the industry and working hands-on with the Jack Daniel’s and Brown-Forman teams was invaluable,” said Copeland in a statement. “It’s been a dream to work side-by-side with some of the best whiskey makers in the industry at the Jack Daniel Distillery over the last two years. Having the opportunity to help others just like me is something that I cherish, and I can’t wait to help others establish their careers in this industry.”

The Nearest and Jack Advancement Initiative is one of a number of new programs focused on diversifying the talent in the spirits industry. Last year, Distill Ventures launched a robust pre-accelerator program that acts as a runway for early-stage entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups to access seed funding. The accelerator has invested $10 million in the program. Since inception, ten brands have received funding, including Vervet, a brand of sparkling cocktails, and Kromanti, a spiced Caribbean rum that pays homage to Kromantis — a group of enslaved Africans.

Separate from this initiative, Uncle Nearest earmarked $50 million to invest in BIPOC and female-owned spirits brands, including Sorrel, a fantastic hibiscus liqueur by Jackie Summers.

The Nearest & Jack Initiative consists of three different prongs, a distilling school, as well as a series of apprenticeships and mentor programs for black distillers and spirits entrepreneurs. A combined $10 million is earmarked for the combined programs.

The first, the leadership acceleration, is designed to guide participants from under-represented communities The cornerstone of the initiative is the Nearest Green School of Distilling, a certificate program run through Tennessee’s Motlow State College. Students graduate with a spate of STEM-based and employable industry skills.

The third prong of the initiative is the Business Incubation Program. Through this program, entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups will have access to a breadth of resources crucial to launching a distilling or spirits business, including time with branding executives, connections to marketing firms and expanded distribution networks.