Kevin Johnson Calls for More Inclusiveness in Beer Industry During NBWA Annual Convention

Many of the conversations on stage this week at the National Beer Wholesaler Association’s Annual Convention made some mention of Anheuser-Busch InBev’s (A-B) sales declines and the impact on beer distributors.

The conservative-led boycott against A-B’s Bud Light brand, following a sponsored social media post by Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender influencer, and the related decline in some distributors’ businesses, sparked sentiments of beer distributors needing to be a united front, and “balancing the expectations and values of our existing consumers.

However, Oak Park Brewing owner and former NBA All-Star Kevin Johnson reminded wholesalers that “we [the beer industry] need to do a better job of being inclusive.”

Johnson shared the stage in Las Vegas with Beer Marketer’s Insights executive editor David Steinman for a fireside chat about the National Black Brewers Association (NB2A) and the lack of diversity in brewery ownership.

Johnson brought up Bud Light, recalling comments from fellow retired NBA legend Charles Barkley this summer at the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship.

Paraphrasing, Johnson recalled Barkley saying “screw and f- all those people who are talking about Bud Light …if you’re a gay person, God bless you, and if you’re a trans person, God bless you. And everybody else who doesn’t agree with that, f- you.”

“What Charles was really trying to say is that we need to do a better job of being inclusive,” Johnson continued.

The story was met with a round of applause by the room of attendees.

Johnson’s conversation Tuesday coincided with Black Brewers Day, held for the first time this year. The new holiday marks the anniversary of Theodore A. Mack Sr.’s acquisition of People’s Brewing Company, making it the first Black-owned brewery in the country. Six states and six cities recognized the holiday for its inaugural year.

Johnson encouraged distributors to do their part year-round in helping support Black-owned businesses in the industry, including working with the NB2A.

He encouraged distributors to find local Black brewers, sample their products and add them to their portfolios. Johnson also urged attendees to educate retailers about Black-owned brands, and look to the NB2A if they need names or resources.

“Look at us as a partner,” Johnson said. “We don’t want a hand out. We’re coming at it very practically. We’re coming out of common sense solutions, that’s who we are.”