The National Black Brewers Association (NB2A) has named two additional board members, in addition to board president Jon Renthrope.
Funkytown Brewery co-founder and CEO Rich Bloomfield and Vine Street Brewing co-owner and business development manager Annie McGinnis were named to the board as treasurer and secretary, respectively. Both are joining the NB2A board for the first time.
“Being part of NB2A is about making space, amplifying voices, and ensuring that Black brewers have access to the resources and opportunities needed to thrive,” McGinnis said of her appointment in a LinkedIn post from the NB2A. “My role at Vine Street has given me firsthand experience in building a brand and fostering community engagement. I hope to bring that perspective to NB2A by helping develop programs that support Black-owned breweries in business growth, visibility and sustainability.”
Bloomfield plans to bring his project management skills to his role as treasurer. Chicago-based Funkytown kicked off a seed funding round late last year as it works to open its own taproom on the city’s West Side.
“My top priorities are ensuring the organization’s books are clean for accounting, funds are budgeted and allocated for the most critical areas for organization and member growth, and that there is clear communication internally and externally with members and the public,” Bloomfield said in a LinkedIn post. “I want to be involved in seeing this segment of the industry grow, and I have significant successes and mistakes that I can share to help build capacity for risk identification and strategic planning.”
Renthrope, the CEO and brewmaster of New Orleans-based Cajun Fire and a founding board member, has taken over the presidency from Marcus Baskerville. [Insiders can read more from Renthrope, including his goals for his term in his exclusive A Round With Q&A.]
“Jon has shown tremendous dedication and his expertise in business development will be a great asset to NB2A members and the Black brewing community at large,” the NB2A wrote in a LinkedIn post announcing his appointment.
Renthrope aims to improve communication among members, open more pathways to capital, support legislative and policy outreach and help members expand their footprints.
“What I hope is that the collective efforts and strategies of our board and staff influences policy and welfare to assist our membership’s small business ventures,” he said in the NB2A’s post. “Lack of access to capital and bid opportunities continues to be a consistent barrier to entry for majority of Black ownership in the beverage sector and it is my intention to create tangible solutions to empower our businesses.”
Rounding out the NB2A’s board are first VP Garrett Oliver (Brooklyn Brewery), second VP Ale Sharpton (Piano Keys), Celeste Beatty (Harlem Brewing), Alisa Bowens-Mercado (Rhythm Brewing), Skinny Deville (Atlantucky Brewing), Denise Ford-Sawadogo (Montclair Brewery), Chris Harris (Black Frog Brewery), Rodney Hines (Métier Brewing) and Khris Johnson (Green Bench Brewing).