Conversations about food, culture, and community
In a world where passion often fuels purpose, few stories resonate as powerfully as that of UrFriendCharles. This podcast episode dives deep into his journey from a curious consumer to a spirited advocate for Black-owned alcohol brands. With an engaging blend of humor and sincerity, Charles shares how he turned a love for whiskey into a platform for celebrating Black excellence in the beverage industry.
The Spark of Inspiration UrFriendCharles’ journey began during the pandemic, a time when many searched for new hobbies and creative outlets. He stumbled upon Burr Brothers, a Black-owned distillery in Kentucky, which ignited his interest in exploring Black-owned spirits. His first experience at Chats on Capitol Hill, a historic Black-owned liquor store in DC, opened his eyes to a wealth of options, leading him to discover brands like Los Hermanos tequila and Foudre vodka. This moment was pivotal, as it sparked a deeper exploration into the stories behind these brands.
Building a Community Through Spirits As Charles began collecting bottles and inviting friends over, he found himself in a unique position to educate and share stories about each brand. This casual sharing soon morphed into a passion project. He started creating TikTok videos, focusing on tasting Black-owned spirits and telling the stories of their founders. Despite his early videos being less polished, his genuine enthusiasm attracted a following, proving that authenticity resonates more than perfection.
The Power of Connection A key theme in this podcast is the importance of community and connection. Charles emphasizes that you don’t need to be a celebrity to make an impact. He recalls an experience with Dante from Los Hermanos, who not only poured him a shot of tequila but also shared the story behind the brand. These personal connections enrich the experience of enjoying a drink and create meaningful relationships between consumers and producers.
The Challenge of Representation Throughout the discussion, Charles highlights the underrepresentation of Black individuals in the spirits industry. He passionately advocates for supporting Black-owned brands, challenging the stereotype that Black people are not present in this arena. By showcasing these brands, he helps to redefine the narrative and encourage others to explore and appreciate the diversity within the spirits world.
From Social Media to E-commerce In November, Charles had a vision to expand his impact by building a website dedicated to Black-owned spirits. His goal was to create a space where consumers could easily find and support these brands. This transition from social media influencer to entrepreneur illustrates the power of leveraging passion into purpose, creating a platform that promotes Black excellence in a traditionally overlooked industry.
UrFriendCharles’ journey from a whiskey enthusiast to a celebrated advocate for Black-owned spirits is a testament to the power of passion and community. His story encourages us to support local brands, engage with the stories behind our favorite drinks, and redefine the narrative around representation in the beverage industry. Key takeaways include:
Tags: Black-owned brands, whiskey, spirits, community, representation in the beverage industry, entrepreneurship, TikTok creators, Black excellence.
Chef JJ Johnson is an award-winning culinary innovator and cultural tastemaker best known for his barrier-breaking cuisine that connects the foodways of West Africa and Asia to the Americas. His signature cooking style blends culturally significant ingredients with classical techniques and a global perspective, deeply inspired by the Caribbean flavors of his childhood and his international travels — from cooking in Ghana and Israel to visiting a seven-generation rice farm in India.
## VETERAN. ENTREPRENEUR. MOM. MOTIVATOR. This is Charlynda second interview with BFAM Cooking, so we have really dig into all the huge changes in her life as a Black veteran owned business owner in the culinary world. Charlynda Scales is a serial entrepreneur: She serves as founder and CEO of Mutt's Sauce LLC and OH Taste LLC. She is the Executive Director of the OH Taste Foundation (501c3). She is the author of the business empowerment book, Rock Bottom Has a Trampoline. Charlynda is a sought-after speaker and mentor for women's empowerment and small businesses. She is a TEDx speaker. Her talent is cultivating influential people by meeting them where they are in life and business. Her military career spans over 15 years; she's currently an Air Force Reservist stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. Charlynda and Mutt's Sauce have been featured in Yahoo! Finance, NPR, Forbes.com, QVC, Men's Journal, CBS News, NBCUniversal, Black Enterprise Magazine, and Military.com, among others. Charlynda was also featured in FUBU Founder and Shark Tank investor Daymond John's bestselling book, POWERSHIFT. She is a Clemson University graduate with a degree in Aerospace Science and Business Management. She also holds an MBA in Strategic Leadership. She started the company Mutt’s Sauce, LLC while still serving on active duty in the military. She is a graduate of the following distinguished courses: NonProfit Leadership, Harvard Executive Certification Tuck School of Executive Leadership at Dartmouth The Empower Program, by Dayton Chamber of Commerce The Course for Presidents, by Aileron Charlynda currently sits on the Board of Directors/Trustees for: Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings, Dayton Children's Hospital, Dayton Chamber of Commerce, and Dayton Convention and Visitors Bureau. Charlynda is a Gold Award Winner and has a Lifetime Membership to Girl Scouts of the USA. Her son, David, is, in her opinion, her finest achievement. LINKS: Mutt's Sauce website: www.muttssauce.com Mutt's Social Media: @muttssauce (Twitter, Instagram), www.facebook.com/muttssauce OH Taste Foundation website: www.ohtaste.org Charlynda Scales website: www.charlyndajean.com Charlynda Social Media: @charlyndajean (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok)
KJ Kearney is a passionate advocate for Black culinary excellence and the founder of Black Food Fridays. With a deep commitment to promoting and celebrating Black-owned food businesses, Kearney has dedicated himself to showcasing the rich diversity and talent within the Black culinary community. Through his platform, Black Food Fridays, Kearney has created a space where food lovers can discover and support Black-owned restaurants, chefs, and food entrepreneurs. Kearney's work extends beyond just showcasing delicious food; he is also a vocal champion for social justice and equity within the food industry. By shining a spotlight on Black culinary professionals and entrepreneurs, Kearney is helping to address systemic inequalities and create opportunities for underrepresented voices to be heard. With his innovative approach and unwavering dedication, KJ Kearney is making a significant impact in the culinary world, inspiring others to support and uplift Black voices in food and beyond. KJ KEARNEY: KJ is a community organizer, a two-time James Beard nominated social media influencer, and perennial uncle of the year candidate.
BEM | Books & more : Danielle and Gabrielle Davenport - Co-Owners interview. https://bembrooklyn.com The video features an interview with the co-founders of Bem Books and More, Danielle and Gabrielle Davenport. They discuss their bookstore that focuses on the intersection of Black culture, literature, and food. The sisters talk about their background in acting and music production, and how they transitioned into opening a bookstore. They discuss their journey, including pop-ups and a Kickstarter campaign. They also highlight their upcoming events around Juneteenth, their focus on children's books, and their expansion into a physical brick-and-mortar location with a cafe, wine bar, teaching kitchen, and more. The interview touches on their mission to promote Black-authored books and explore diverse food cultures within the African diaspora. They also mention future plans, such as hosting cooking classes, pop-ups, and collaborating with authors in the Black food community. The interview ends with a mention of an upcoming book about black-owned dairy farms in Louisiana. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of community, storytelling, and the cultural significance of food in Black communities. Established by two sisters in January 2021 as an online bookstore, They are proud to serve as a home for readers, writers, cooks, and eaters passionate about Black cultures in all their diversity. Taking an expansive approach to the nexus of food, literature, and culture, BEM celebrates Black food by bringing works of fiction, nonfiction and poetry for readers of all ages into conversation with cookbooks and culinary studies to explore how what feeds us defines us. You should check them out online using their website - https://www.bembrooklyn.com/ On Instagram/ @BEMBrooklyn Online Black Cookbook /Popup - soon to be brick and mortar in Brooklyn. If you care are black food than supporting this business is a great place to start.
ABOUT BFAM My name is Jerome and I’m from Long Island, New York. I served in the US. Air Force for over 5 years, during the gulf war. The military way is to treat everyone on your team the same as your family. That’s the foundation for Brothers From Another Mother cooking or B.F.A.M. Cooking because everyone can be your “fam”, especially at the dining table. My videos range from delicious, original recipes that I’ve created to American cuisine restaurant owners who I wanted to know better. You’ll also find videos about cooking tools that I love and wanted to share with you.
