214: Diversity & Inclusion in Bourbon: Roundtable Discussion

Bourbon Lens is excited to play host to a roundtable discussion featuring three organizations aimed at making bourbon accessible for all.  We are joined by the Founders of Bourbon Women, Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild, and BIG Bourbon Club.  Join us as we discuss some important topics as we seek to pull back the red velvet rope of the Bourbon Industry to ensure everyone feels welcome sharing a pour of America's Native Spirit.  

About the Panelists:

Peggy Noe Stevens - Founder of Bourbon Women Association

• Peggy is a woman of many firsts. She founded PNSA and The Bourbon Women Association. She is the first woman in the world to receive the title of Master Bourbon Taster. Formerly of Brown-Forman, Peggy was their Global Event Planner for iconic brands such as Woodford Reserve. She brings her decades of experiential marketing and professional presence development to PNSA designing and building brand architecture for places and people. In 2019 Peggy was inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame by the Kentucky Distillers Association and in 2020 she was inducted into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame.
• To follow Peggy, check out:  PeggyNoeStevens.com.

Robert Beatty - Founder of Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild

• Robert Beatty is the founder of KBBG and a local Lexingtonian entrepreneur. During a summer 2018 tour that Mr. Beatty conducted to three distilleries and a museum in Bardstown KY, the conversation arose about African American and multicultural influence in the industry pre-prohibition. Through many conversations with industry gurus, history buffs and other bourbon societies, the decision was made to form an organization that will educate minority consumers about the spirit and properly acknowledge all of the ethnic groups that contributed to the robust industry it is today.
• For more info on the KBBG, head to the Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild website.   

Steve Higdon - Founder of BIG Bourbon Club

• Steve is the Founder of BIG Bourbon Club, which was created as a spinoff his wildly successful TikTok account, Uncle Steve (@60secondbourbonreview) | TikTok.  According to BIG Bourbon Club, the club will serve as your passport to the world of bourbon. The club seeks to expand the universe of bourbon lovers by giving access to bourbon how to's,  history, the personalities, barrel picks, distillery tours, tastings, and much more. Through their app, they have created the first virtual Bourbon Club where you can access everything, regardless of where you live.  They aim to bring the world of bourbon to EVERYONE.  EVERYONE is welcome. Bourbon should not be exclusive.
• For more info on Steve, his explosive growth on TikTok, and BIG Bourbon, check out this feature on VinePair.com: 'Uncle' Steve Higdon: The Boomer Taking Over Bourbon TikTok. 

Diversity and Inclusion in Bourbon Media  Coverage:

• Distilling.com - The Story of Black Distilling Is Being Written Now
• These Women Distillers Are Rising With the American Whiskey Boom - The New York Times
• 5 Female Disruptors Shaping the State of Bourbon in Kentucky 
• Old Forester bourbon names first openly gay master taster | Lexington Herald Leader
• How liquor brands are shrugging off the family-run ethos to better diversify their workforces | Fortune
•  America's Largest Distillers Are Losing Their Top Talent, as the 'Great Resignation' Hits Bourbon | VinePair
• The Wine Industry Pledged to Improve Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity. Has Anything Changed?
• Black-owned wine and spirits makers you should know about | Fortune
• Women in Whiskey Talk Inclusivity and Representation in the Industry
• Six ways the drinks industry can support racial diversity - The Spirits Business
• Northside Distilling Co. to release bourbon whiskey for the visually impaired
• How the Cofounders of Taste Select Repeat Are Making Whiskey Culture More Inclusive
• This Christmas whiskey ad about trans acceptance is warming hearts around the world - LGBTQ Nation