A year of Gratitude: Celebrating the New Dawn Community
It feels like just yesterday I was pouring my heart and soul into launching New Dawn, a dream nurtured by my passion for environmental sustainability and a deep love for craft whiskey. As we celebrate New Dawn’s one-year anniversary and reaching over a thousand followers on Instagram, my heart is overflowing with gratitude for each and every one of you who has been on this incredible journey with me.
As a small business owner, and a Black woman in an industry historically dominated by white men, launching New Dawn was not just about creating exceptional whiskey; it was about breaking barriers, forging new paths, and sharing a piece of my heritage and spirit with the world. Your belief in my vision, your encouragement, and your unwavering support have been the wind beneath my wings.
From the very first sip to every shared toast, your enthusiasm for New Dawn whiskey has been truly humbling. Hearing your stories, seeing your enjoyment, and knowing that New Dawn brings a moment of pleasure to your lives is the greatest reward. Being in community with everyone this past weekend to celebrate not only New Dawn’s one-year anniversary but Juneteenth was a momentous occasion that I have only ever dreamed about. It also marked how far New Dawn has come:
The friends we have made
in people like Brandi Lowery aka the Old Fashioned Barrister who graciously co-hosted this event welding her impressive skills to pull together an event steeped in tradition, education, true community, and most importantly joy. Starting a new business is no easy feat and I am forever grateful for friends like Brandi who have welcomed me into the spirits community with open arms and an unending amount of laughter;
Our first food pairing
featuring an amazing and inspired five course meal by Chef Jamal Collier of Everything Irie that nourished our bodies and souls with dishes that crossed the African diaspora. From a grit cake paired with a succulent crab cake to curried lentils with ox tail we were all truly blessed;
Deepening partnerships
thanks to people like Trey Andrews of Casa Carrillo cigars who heard New Dawn’s story, tasted our whiskey, and continues to not only to support but champion the brand. This was our second event with Trey and Casa Carrillo and when I say ya’ll are about to be tired of me talking about these cigars, prepare yourselves. So far every recommendation from Trey has been spot on and this past weekend’s event was no exception. The Encore was a perfect accompaniment to the evenings cocktails whether you were sipping a Honeyed Rose Garden, Black Manhattan, Brunch Martini, or a Havana Nights Old-Fashioned.
And so a huge, THANK YOU, New Dawn community, for embracing our story, for championing diversity and sustainability in the spirits industry, and for making this past year an unforgettable one. We're just getting started, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for us, together.
Here's to many more years of shared moments, delightful sips, and the continued growth of our New Dawn family!
