Essence Fest 2026

Essence Fest food & wine stage

At ESSENCE Fest, I moderated a Food & Wine Stage fireside chat with Shalanda Jackson, Lead Brewer at Second Line Brewing, exploring the intersection of craft beer, Black culture, food, and community. The conversation highlighted Shalanda’s journey as a Black woman in brewing, the cultural significance of beer in New Orleans, and the importance of creating more inclusive spaces within the craft beer industry.

The discussion also spotlighted Draught Season’s mission to expand the narrative around beer by connecting it to Black history, storytelling, collaboration, foodways, fashion, music, sports, and community. Together, the conversation positioned beer as more than a beverage — it is culture, craft, history, and a powerful vehicle for representation.