Greenwood Whiskey: Honoring the legacy of Black Wall Street

Greenwood Whiskey is a tribute to one of the most significant and historic African-American neighborhoods in the United States, the Historic Greenwood District, also known as “Black Wall Street,” in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Founded by Che Bailey, Sheldon Johns Hairrs and James Roach “KG” Gordon, their spirit pays tribute to this early 20th century community known for its thriving businesses, cultural richness and strong sense of community.

Their award-winning whiskey brand consists of Greenwood Rye Whiskey, Greenwood Celebration Caramel Whiskey and Special Edition Greenwood 1906.

At Greenwood Whiskey, they blend tradition and innovation to create a truly exceptional spirit. Made from the finest ingredients and aged to perfection, each bottle embodies the rich heritage and strong character of our brand.

Greenwood Whiskey is currently sold in retail stores in Georgia, Oklahoma, Virginia, Texas, Louisiana and South Carolina, is available online in over 40 states, and is sold in more than 500 stores, hotels, restaurants, bars and cigar lounges across the United States.

Questions and answers about Greenwood Whisky:

The Atlanta Voice: Why did you decide to start your business?

Kweillin ‘KG’ Gordon: We started our business because, like many other people, we were working 9 to 5. We were burned out from doing something that only gave us a living but no passion or purpose. We decided to pursue something that excited us in the hopes that it would inspire others to embrace all that life has to offer by actively pursuing their dreams.

A V: Was there a moment that inspired you to start this company?

KG: We were sitting in the basement of one of our co-founders, drinking whiskey and discussing how we could quit our eight-to-five jobs. Then it hit me like a bolt of lightning. The day before, I was sitting in one of our favorite sports bars in Atlanta, and as I tried to order a drink, something caught my eye. This establishment was black-owned, the manager, servers, and bartenders were black. But when I looked behind the bar, I noticed that the product selection didn’t have the same diversity as in Atlanta. That’s when we realized we were underrepresented in one of our favorite pastimes: whiskey, cigars, and conversation, with an emphasis on whiskey. Instead of complaining about the lack of diversity in the spirits industry, where less than 3% of suppliers are minorities, we decided to do something about it. We had that conversation in 2018, and it led to our launch two years later.

A V: Is there a mentor in your life who has inspired/inspires you as an entrepreneur?

KG: We have a long list of mentors who inspire us in many ways. Even though we haven’t met most of our mentors in person, we still study them for information and wisdom. For example, legendary entrepreneurs like OW Gurley, founder of the Greenwood District, inspire us to build an economic community that can benefit many people. In our industry, Fawn Weaver (founder of Uncle Nearest) has also been a true mentor and inspiration to us.

A V: What are your business goals for the rest of the year?

KG: Our goal is to continue to expand our presence in the Atlanta market. We are currently in 250 retail locations in Georgia, including liquor stores, bars and restaurants. Our goal is to expand to 400 locations by year’s end. We want as many people as possible to experience our whiskey and the historic story that comes with it.

A V: Is there any advice for future business owners to help them take the plunge?

KG: Take action. You won’t have all the answers to the questions that are making you hesitant to start a business. Don’t let fear of the unknown stop you. Do something every day that will bring you closer to starting your business. No matter how big or small that action is, these consistent steps will help you learn more and prepare for that journey.

A V: The whiskey is inspired by the legacy of Black Wall Street. Please tell me what that means to you and the brand. The legacy of Black Wall Street symbolizes courage, resilience, community and excellence. This group of African-American entrepreneurs built a community that was home to over 500 businesses during a time when basic civil rights did not exist. This should inspire the modern entrepreneur that you can succeed no matter the obstacles that stand in your way.

For more information and to purchase your own Greenwood whiskey, visit https://www.greenwoodwhiskey.com

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