Breaking Barriers: Jackie Summers' Journey in the Spirits Industry

My guest on episode #533 of #thePOZcast is Jackie Summers, entrepreneur, storyteller, and one of the most influential voices in the spirits industry. He's the founder of Jack From Brooklyn and the creator of the award-winning Sorel Liqueur, making history as the first Black person in the United States to receive a license to produce liquor after Prohibition. Jackie's impact extends far beyond the bottle. He's a James Beard Award finalist, a Food & Wine Drink Innovator of the Year, a four-time member of Drinks International's list of the 100 Most Influential Figures in the global bar industry, and a respected judge for some of the world's most prestigious food and spirits competitions. As a writer, speaker, and advocate, Jackie uses his platform to elevate overlooked voices and tell the stories of marginalized communities in their own words. Today, we're talking entrepreneurship, resilience, culture, representation, and what it really takes to build something meaningful from the ground up. Jackie shares his inspiring journey from Brooklyn roots to becoming a pioneering spirits entrepreneur. He discusses overcoming systemic barriers, the power of cultural heritage, and the importance of embracing multidimensional identities to create meaningful impact. Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-summers-80b80/ Learn More: https://jackiesummers1.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips