The National Black Brewers Association has announced new board leadership in their latest newsletter and social media. Congrats to new President Jon Renthrope of Cajun Fire Brewing Company, new Secretary Annie McGinnis of Vine Street Brewing Company, and Treasurer Rich Bloomfield of Funkytown Brewing Company.
The NB2A is excited to announce the new President of the Board of Directors, Jon Renthrope. As a member of the founding board, 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.
Jon L. Renthrope, is a native New Orleanian and member of the United Nation of Houma Indians, an indigenous tribal community located in the bayou region of Southern Louisiana. He is CEO of Cajun Fire Brewing Company, the first Black/Native owned brewing company in the U.S. South, and an internationally recognized brewmaster by trade profession.
“My top priorities for the NB2A during my tenure is to create more channels of communication, help businesses gain access to capital, influence policy to engage/support our small businesses nationally, and expand the market footprint of membership. I also would like to foster an ecosystem that acknowledges our contributions and milestones (past and present). I believe in my vision and believe my fellow board members will hold me accountable for the outcomes.
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. 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.”
Also joining the board of directors are two new members: Annie McGinnis and Rich Bloomfield.
Annie McGinnis has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, she has worked across restaurants and hotels, including opening large concepts in Southern California and Kansas City. In 2011, she shifted gears to create a commercial/residential cleaning business, Swept Away, allowing more time with her young daughter. In 2021, the opportunity to join Vine Street Brewing Co. aligned perfectly with her family’s needs. Introduced to the beer industry by Kemet Coleman, a former employee from a past restaurant and co-founder of Vine Street Brewing Co., Annie not only learned the brewing process but also discovered a passion for different beer styles. While initially drawn to Belgians as a bourbon and whiskey fan, she found her true love in stouts, especially anything barrel-aged.
Rich Bloomfield grew up in Oak Park, IL and attended Grambling State University, an HBCU in Louisiana where he received a BS in Marketing. He has a broad skill-set with over 10 years of project management experience. He is currently the CEO and co-founder of Funkytown Brewery, a start-up Black-owned brewery in Chicago that launched October 2021. His previous role in education equity and now leading an award-winning brewery introducing underserved groups to craft beer; introducing a different culture into the beer world.
For more information, visit the National Black Brewers Association website.
