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Eventnoire, Alongside Pronghorn, Presents a Fresh Docuseries Titled "DISTILLED" in Chicago

Written by Marshelle Sanders

On Friday, June 26, the AMC River East 21 theater was filled as attendees gathered to discover “DISTILLED”. 

The special guest at the premiere enjoyed cocktails featuring Alexander James Whiskey’s “Whiskey Limeade,” Ten to One Dark Rum’s “Perfect Daiquiri,” and Delta Dirt Vodka’s “Late Night Harvest,” all from black-owned beverage companies. Additionally, they received a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage and a box of popcorn courtesy of the theatre, arranged by Pronghorn.

Eventnoire and Pronghorn Collaboration

The collaboration between Eventnoire and Pronghorn represents a dedicated, long-term effort to disrupt industries and foster diversity. Their mission prioritizes substantive advancements over fleeting achievements, embodying their commitment to sustained impact.

Looking forward, Pronghorn has set an ambitious target of generating an additional $2.4 billion in revenue by 2032. This initiative also aims to create opportunities for 1,800 talented individuals, further underscoring its comprehensive mission.

Discovering the Essence: Why Tune into DISTILLED

DISTILLED is a compelling multi-episode docuseries that delves into the vibrant world of Black-owned spirits brands within the Pronghorn portfolio. Hosted by Travis McMichael III, the series offers intimate storytelling, inviting viewers on a journey to explore the origins of these brands and discover how to champion and support them.

In the debut episode, the spotlight shines on Delta Dirt Distillery, a family-owned craft distillery nestled in the fertile Arkansas Delta and co-founded by Harvey Williams (CEO) and Donna Williams (Chief Brand Officer), alongside their sons Donovan Williams (Operations Manager) and Thomas Williams (Head Distiller), who participated in the Chicago Debut panel.

Viewers will uncover the rich legacy and history of the Williams family, intertwined with their deep musical roots and community connections. Originally from Marianna, Arkansas, Harvey Williams left the Delta to pursue an engineering career and raise a family elsewhere. However, drawn back by his roots, he returned to revitalize his family’s farm. This journey led Harvey to innovate beyond traditional crop sales, ultimately culminating in the founding of Delta Dirt Distillery.

Q&A Recap: Reflections from the Docuseries

Pronghorn Moderator Taylor Reed introduced Jeffrey Osuji, CEO of Eventnoire, Shenequa Bucknor, Pronghorn Portfolio Manager, Distilled series producer and host Travis McMichael III, and Thomas Williams, Head Distiller at Delta Dirt Distillery.

Travis McMichael III shared the inspiration behind creating Distilled, which stemmed from a fundamental question at the heart of Pronghorn’s mission: How can we support black founders in this industry to achieve their dreams? As our esteemed panelists will attest, navigating this industry has challenges and pitfalls. Pronghorn is a guiding force through these complexities, using our marketing efforts to amplify founders’ stories and showcase their remarkable talent and innovation to the world.

Thomas Williams expanded on some of the significant challenges Delta Dirt Distillery has encountered:

“Access to capital remains our greatest hurdle, along with raising awareness about our brand. Once we overcome these initial obstacles, securing distribution becomes another major challenge for a small, minority-owned brand like ours. Navigating these market challenges is an ongoing effort, but we are steadfast in pursuing our vision and mission.”

Shenequa Bucknor emphasized the critical importance of supporting black and diverse beverage brands and the role of amplification:

“When you consider the landscape of alcohol and distilleries, the journey from production to market is arduous. Producing the product is just the beginning; the real challenge lies in selling it. Distilled plays a pivotal role by offering brand amplification and awareness, which is invaluable and often costly for small craft brands. This series breaks new ground by empowering brands that already boast exceptional products but need more exposure. It’s about bringing these stories to audiences like yourselves. I encourage you to visit these websites and order these products to support these authentic and genuine brands. Grassroots support is crucial for their growth and success.

Let’s redouble our efforts—amplify these voices, provide capital, and share knowledge. Now, it’s up to all of us to contribute to their ongoing success.”

Mark your calendars for the premiere on AMC starting July 29. This project is groundbreaking; it’s rare to encounter scripted or unscripted projects with such an authentic origin story. Stay updated by following Eventnoire for nationwide event updates, Pronghorn for innovative beverage brands, and “Distilled” for the latest on the docuseries. 

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