Pronghorn Celebrates 19 Investments At One Year Anniversary Event In Atlanta On Juneteenth

On Juneteenth, Pronghorn hosted its one-year anniversary celebration at Atlanta's St. Regis Hotel. In one year, the purpose-driven organization dedicated to expanding diversity within the spirits industry by investing in the next generation of Black leaders and entrepreneurs, has assisted 19 Black-owned spirits brands expand.

The event invited Black leaders, cultural disruptors and small business owners from across the nation for a bespoke experience to celebrate Black entrepreneurship and the progress Pronghorn has made in its first year. It kicked off with a curated cocktail hour, which offered drinks made with some of Pronghorn's vast portfolio of Black-owned brands.

To close out the cocktail hour ahead of the dinner procession, Pronghorn co-founders Dia Simms, Dan Sanborn, Erin Harris and CEO Jomaree Pinkard welcomed the room with opening remarks and addressed Pronghorn’s significant milestones established in its first year.

In addition to Pronghorn's investments in the 19 Black-owned spirits brands, Pronghorn has established various initiatives to empower the next generation of Black executives, including the Pronghorn HBCU Spirits Grant Initiative and HBCU Spirited Innovation Lab, its internship program, Pronghorn Spirits Academy in partnership with InRoads, and its mentorship program.

Co-founder Dia Simms also nodded to the contextual significance of Pronghorn’s achievements spotlighted on Juneteenth. She shared that while the holiday commemorates emancipation from slavery, freedom today is also defined by financial autonomy, where the next generation of Black entrepreneurs can “write their own checks” - something Pronghorn seeks to propel. As the company remains steadfast in its efforts to produce $2.4 billion in economic value for the Black community by 2032, its executives energized the room calling upon guests to seek out their own avenues of changemaking progress.

Guests were treated to a seated dinner experience infusing Pronghorn’s Black-owned spirit brands into custom dishes alongside unique cocktail pairings.

The evening’s dinner culminated with a dazzling performance by platinum, award-winning R&B artist, Queen Naija.

We look forward to seeing what more Pronghorn does to diversity the spirits industry.

Photo Credit: Paras Griffin/Getty Images