Beverage Industry Inclusion

Drizly ’ s Sip with Purpose

Drizly ’ s new Sip with Purpose Initiative is dedicated to supporting and driving growth of brands owned by members of historically under-represented groups in the beverage alcohol industry . The components of the initiative include :

Brand Accelerator Program . Selecting three brands to participate in a year-long program that includes training , insights , mentorship , relationships , exposure and more to drive equity .

Media Spending . A $ 4 million commitment focused on increasing awareness and driving share of brands owned by historically under-represented communities , with the goal to help brands scale and provide free exposure on the platform .

Centralized Shopping . Launch of a hub on the Drizly platform that will feature AAPI- , Black-Hispanic- , Laninx- , LGBTQIA- , Native-American- and woman-owned brands .

Southern Glazer ’ s Awarded for Diversity

SGWS was recently included in the Forbes list of Best Employers for Diversity 2022 . The recipients were selected based on a methodology developed by industry-ranking provider Statista .

More than 60,000 U . S . employees were surveyed and evaluation was based on four criteria , including recommendations from minority and non-minority groups , diversity among top executives and engagement indicators . “ Diversity and inclusion are at the forefront of all

we do ,” CEO Wane Chaplin said in a release . “ We work hard to foster a workplace that is welcoming to all members of our Southern Glazer ’ s Family . It ’ s important that all of our employees feel comfortable showing up as their most authentic selves .”

SGWS also recently announced the launch of its Vendor Inclusion Program ( VIP ), which is designed to develop , facilitate and manage non-trade vendor diversity initiatives .

“ Southern Glazer ’ s is committed to working with qualified top-tier vendors , regardless of race , sex , gender or any other socioeconomic status ,” said Mark Calimlim , vice president of corporate procurement at Southern Glazer ’ s . VIP will ensure vendors that identify as diverse have an equitable opportunity to provide non-trade goods and / or services .”

The initiative is a collaborative endeavor that stemmed from the SGWS internal diversity and inclusion idea competition , Idea Distillery , in 2020 .

RNDC Promotes DEI

Republic National Distributing Company supports several diversity , equity and inclusion initiatives , both internally and externally . The company created associate resource groups to support its LGBTQ , African American , Hispanic and female workers , as

Erika Hopkins

well as developed retail programs supporting Black History Month and Hispanic Heritage Month ( with Women ’ s History Month being added in 2023 ).

“ Our industry thrives by serving a diverse customer base ,” says corporate VP

for culture , social responsibility and DEI , Erika Hopkins . “ People who enjoy our products represent every imaginable dimension of diversity . To better reflect their preferences , we need to

Zach Hotz

accurately mirror our communities .”

RNDC has also partnered with HBCUs , HSIs and diverse organizations to build a pipeline of talent from under-represented communities . Internally , it created “ Spirit to Speak ” safe space conversations to share and learn from others , as well as talent acceleration programs for women and People of Color .

The company is also a key contributor to the Women of the Vine & Spirit ’ s DEI Committee and WSWA ’ s Talent & Diversity Council .

“ We know the most successful teams are diverse , and we know the most successful companies have workforces that reflect the diversity of the communities they serve ,” says SVP of marketing Zach Hotz . “ Add it all up and a continued , sustained focus on diversity is a winning strategy for us all .”

ACSA Elects Women-Led Board

The American Craft Spirits Association elected a 100 % women-led board in April , including the re-election of Catoctin Creek ’ s Becky Harris as president . Gina Holman ( J . Carver Distillery ) and Jessica Lemmon ( Cart / Horse Distilling ) were elected as VP and Treasurer / Secretary , respectively .

The association ’ s CEO Margie Lehrman said in a press release , “ As a woman in Becky Harris drinks , particularly at a trade association level , today marks an important milestone .”

4 2022 Beverage Industry Inclusion