Hennessy Announces $1MM Acceleration Fund to Champion Next Generation of Black Entrepreneurs

Posted on April 3, 2021 by GFDI Team

 

New “Never Stop Never Settle Society” Debuts During the 52nd NAACP Image Awards on BET with UNINTERRUPTED “Dear Destiny” Creative Featuring Grammy Award Winning Recording Artist Nas

Hennessy, the world’s best-selling cognac, today unveils the “Never Stop Never Settle Society,” a comprehensive growth accelerator co-created with the Marcus Graham Project (MGP) to ensure a more equitable landscape for Black entrepreneurship. To introduce the initiative, new “Dear Destiny” creative produced by UNINTERRUPTED and featuring hip-hop legend Nas debuted on March 27th during the 52nd NAACP Image Awards on BET, placing the spotlight on the legacy of Black Wall Street.

“The ‘Never Stop Never Settle Society’ builds on Hennessy’s long-standing commitment to Black communities and ongoing mission to champion cultural diversity by pushing the limits of potential for Black entrepreneurs,” says Jasmin Allen, Senior Vice President, Hennessy US. “We aim to expand on that legacy in the most impactful and meaningful ways by providing access to capital and resources to those demonstrating the ability to reshape Black communities through social impact.”

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BTB Spotlight: Mikas of Social B in Lisbon, Portugal

Posted on March 30, 2021 by Margo Gabriel

Mikas possesses this quiet energy of a wise man with the spirit of a creative artist. The Mozambique native arrived in Portugal in his youth at the age of 18. His signature style includes a fedora and a button-down shirt made from a colorful Mozambican fabric called capulana.

He wears many hats literally and figuratively. He is an artist, a sculptor, a purveyor of good vibes and good taste. He’s owned and managed over a dozen of Lisbon’s premier restaurants, a record store, shops, and rooftop bars in Greater Lisbon. He’s owned Atira-te Ao, Bicaense, WIP (Work In Progress), Clube Ferroviário, A Tabacaria, Castelo do São Jorge, Velho Senhora and many more.  He’s hosted Massive Attack and Thievery Corporation for live DJ sets.

Social B is a discreet bar in the Cais do Sodré neighborhood on Rua da Boavista and boasts an eclectic menu of African and Portuguese cuisine prepared by Chef Zola. The speakeasy worthy cocktails are handcrafted by bartender Ismael. Ever reticent, Mikas was candid and shared a glimpse of his over two decades of business expertise with Cuisine Noir. 

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The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau Launches Contest to Help Restaurants During Pandemic

Posted on March 27, 2021 by GFDI Team

Diners can earn cash prizes

There is one small thing people can do right now to help the local restaurant community begin to rebound from the COVID 19 pandemic–dine out and then brag about it online.

The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau (DMCVB) has created the Eats in the D Restaurant Giveaway, a fun and easy contest to urge locals and visitors to enjoy exploring and rediscovering Metro Detroit’s local culinary scene while earning a chance to win prizes.

Participants can play by first following @visitdetroit on Facebook and Instagram. Next, snap a picture of your food or experience, while dining at one of our restaurants in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Tag the restaurant and @visitdetroit, then share it on Facebook or Instagram. Use the hashtag, #EatsintheD in your post to enter your picture into the raffle.

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McBride Sisters Collection, Inc. Announces #YESSHECAN2021

Posted on March 13, 2021 by GFDI Team

The McBride Sisters’ non-profit, the McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund, will dedicate its 2021 efforts to support professional women in the fields of hospitality, wine & spirits, and finance.

On International Women’s Day, Robin and Andréa McBride, owners of the largest Black-owned wine company in the U.S., announce the 2021 “vintage” of the company’s SHE CAN Professional Development Fund: #YESSHECAN2021.

Andréa McBride John & Robin McBride, founders of McBride Sisters Collection, initiated the SHE CAN Professional Development Fund in 2019 to promote the professional development of women in the wine industry in a concerted effort to help close the gender and race gap. In the wake of COVID-19, they pivoted the Fund’s 2020 efforts to focus on Black-and-women-owned small businesses, recognizing that while the effects of the pandemic have been felt by all businesses, Black-owned small businesses were disproportionately hit the hardest. Now a newly incorporated 501 (c)(3), the McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund is excited to take the mission one step further in 2021.

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CRŪ Winery Launches Scholarship with California State University System

Posted on March 11, 2021 by GFDI Team

In honor of International Women’s Day, CRŪ Winery, a family-owned winery that produces award-winning wines from premier appellations on California’s Central Coast, is launching a scholarship inspired by winery founder Richard Spencer’s Aunt May. The scholarship will support undergraduate students pursuing degrees in Viticulture and Enology at California State University Fresno.

Aunt May encouraged Spencer to go after his dreams, financing his first deal and partnering on a renovation that ultimately kick-started his successful construction business. She was quietly accomplished, generous, witty, sometimes a hot mess but pretty much always brilliant. CRŪ Winery also produces a limited release Chardonnay in her honor.

Each year a junior enrolled in the Fresno State Department of Viticulture and Enology that embraces the characteristics and spirit of Aunt May will be chosen to receive the scholarship which will fund two years of tuition.

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