Tabitha Pope’s Post

"..Can we stand for something? Now is the time to face the wind, let love in, together, can we stand? Looka there, liquor in my hand, the grandbaby of a moonshine man.." -American Requiem, Beyonce Knowles-Carter I wonder if Beyonce realizes just how off-guard she caught the entire whiskey industry with the launch of SirDavis. This is a big deal. Celebrities enter the space every day (her husband has been here for over 10 years) and while intentions and quality vary, there's a consistency in the pattern as consistent as the players on the back bar: it's rarely women, and when it is, it's almost never in whiskey (I say almost because that ceiling broke with Big Nose Kate Whiskey's partnership with Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone #humblebrag). In the last 36 hours I've been asked 20, 30 times what my take is on the development and I have something to say. (this one's for you Karen Locke). Beyonce launching an American Whiskey is not good. Beyonce launching an American Whiskey is THE GREATEST VALIDATION OF THE WORK BEING DONE EVERYDAY BY GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS TO MAKE WHISKEY MORE INCLUSIVE AND REPRESENTATIVE OF TODAY'S INDUSTRY LANDSCAPE. sorry, stuck in caps. Work led by individual champions in the industry like Peggy Noe Stevens, Becky Paskin, Amanda Victoria (Mintz) with pioneers like Hollis B Worth, Rebecca Harris, Tracie Franklin, Allison Parc, Marianne Eaves, Jane Bowie along with groups such as OurWhisky Foundation, Black Bourbon Society, Spirited Women Collective, Bourbon Women and The The Michael James Jackson Foundation for Brewing & Distilling (The MJF); all who advocate for and advance diversity in the whiskey landscape. These voices are loud but have never had an audience of 400 million. I like to think that our collective shouting made an echo; one so loud that Beyonce shouted back. Long live the Queen. ta ta, Mel #WhiskeyIndustry #DiversityAdvocacy #Beyonce #SirDavis #OurWhiskyFoundation #BlackBourbonSociety #TheMJF #LFG #toasttothefutureofwhisky

As we celebrate, let’s take a moment to appreciate the incredible moments we shared over the past year, the challenges we've overcome, and the connections that bring us joy. #CummingsWealthManagement #FinancialPlanning #StuartFL

News Article posted by BuyBlack.org about Experience the Best of Black-Owned Harlem: Where to Stay, Eat, and Explore This Fall on BuyBlack.org. #buyblack,#blackownedbusiness,#blackexcellence,#blackownedbrand

To GROW a #community is to KNOW a community. See how Dashscored delivers metrics that matter for #brands, #agencies and #creators building in #Discord. https://lnkd.in/gMjRDp5g

In a world where independence is often equated with doing everything on your own, it's time to rethink our approach. Maura Horton's story about her husband's struggle in a locker room after a game is a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by people with disabilities—challenges many of us never stop to consider. Imagine being unable to button your own shirt and having to rely on someone else to help you. For Maura's husband, it was a humbling moment, but it was also a catalyst for change. Enter MagnaReady, a revolutionary clothing line designed to empower those with limited dexterity to dress independently. This isn't just about convenience—it's about dignity and autonomy. It's about acknowledging that independence doesn't mean doing everything alone, but rather having the tools to do things your way. The traditional fashion industry may overlook these needs, but it's time we challenge that status quo. So, what does independence mean to you? Listen to Maura Horton's full story on The SwagAbility Show and join the conversation.

On the block, we had to get lucky every day. [They] only had to get lucky one time. At SeventyTwo Flavors®, we aim to inspire and support impacted communities by being an example of how determination can forge legal, profitable businesses and brands. My journey from the legacy market to creating SeventyTwo Flavors®️ is a testament to this mission. I’ve witnessed too many people get their weight up and build up their clientele - multiple locations booming - to lose it all. Those losses fuel my commitment to our mission every day. We destigmatize the legacy market by elevating brands through Education, Events, and Advocacy. By providing the right platforms and support, we can help others transition from the legacy market into the legal market, fostering community growth and economic empowerment. As the saying goes, 'A bird in the hand beats 10 in the bush.' This reminds us that our skills and resilience are more valuable than endless, uncertain opportunities. We create tangible change by focusing on what we have and can do. In that change, the impossible is made possible. Visit www.72flavors.com and #KeepOnTrappin Pictured: (Seated) P Don, (Left to Right) Moo Moo, Fari, BD, G, Shine, Dave Trapps #LegacyMarket #CannabisIndustry

Poking the Beyhive and lessons for climate action A few years back, whilst working on the Sainsbury’s supermarket social account, we noticed that Beyoncés new Ivy Park collection bore an uncanny resemblance to the Sainsbury’s staff uniform (see below). Just for a laugh, we dressed one of our team in the uniform and posted it to Twitter to coincide with the Ivy Park drop along with a tongue-in-cheek message about being the original and repping since 1869 (when the supermarket was founded). All very silly and lighthearted. But not for Beyoncés hardcore fans - the ‘Beyhive’ went nuts. Seriously nuts. They initiated a real beef with Sainsbury's which was picked up by the national and international press. Fandom power and passion should never be underestimated. From sports arenas to concert halls, fan tribes wield unmatched energy. What if we harnessed this for environmental change? Fandoms is a bit of a misnomer really.  They aren’t just fans; they’re communities united by passion. Their collective energy can turn enthusiasm into action. Imagine sports teams championing sustainability, not just in words but in actions that fans can mirror. Or bands and solo artists (beyond Coldplay!) embedding more overt environmental messages into their art, rallying their followers to act. Beliebers, the Bardigang, the Harries, Swifties, Team Drizzy….there is so much power in those fandoms. It's about getting more artists, sports stars and organisations to align on the planet as a common purpose, with the values and emotions that define their fan tribes. Authenticity is key.  Fans can detect fakes. The message has to be genuine and the commitment visible but fandoms have the power to mobilise, to spread a message with passion. By engaging them, there’s potential to drive action on a massive scale turning fans into advocates and spectators into activists. I think it’s time for a more concerted effort to leverage their power.  What about you? #Fandom #ClimateAction #Storytelling #ConsciousCreativity #Sustainability

As most of you probably know, it was International Women's Day last week, a day where our feeds are inundated with posts celebrating the occasion. Over the past few years, companies have started to see the value in celebrating the day, and typically like to make a fuss. But, there’s one thing they all have in common - they’re performative. That’s why I wanted to share my favourite IWD campaign from Molson Coors Beverage Company, a Canadian beer company that recently announced a multi-year partnership with the Women’s Hockey League. The brilliance of their campaign comes from the fact that they actually solve a problem. I’ve left the video below so you can see for yourself, but I’ll give you a quick overview. 👇🏻 👱🏻♀️ For a game played on IWD, Molson switched around their logo with the player's name, solving a long-standing problem - a female player's ponytail covering her name on her jersey. It may seem silly or trivial, but it’s yet another instance where we see that the game (and the world) isn’t designed for women. Do you think Lionel Messi or LeBron James would have their names covered while they play? 🏒 Molson wanted to fix this. Solving this small issue allowed each player to be seen and recognised out on the ice, and also feel valued by their team and their fans. Rather than superficially celebrating with Social Media posts or gifts, Molson showed their appreciation by actually solving a problem. It’s yet to be confirmed whether or not this will be a permanent solution, or a limited edition change to celebrate International Women’s Day. Let’s hope it stays, otherwise, is this yet another performative campaign? https://lnkd.in/ePRGbvhn

#AMatterOfPolicy Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: Policies Behind the Spectacle . The Macy’s #Thanksgiving Day Parade is a marvel of organizational excellence. What began in 1924 as a small promotional event has grown into a cultural phenomenon, watched by millions. But behind the balloons, #Broadway performances, and marching bands lies a finely tuned machine of policy and procedure, a testament to how leadership and foresight turn vision into tradition. . In its early years, Macy’s Parade was an audacious marketing gamble. Immigrant employees wanted to recreate European holiday festivals, and the event was both a nod to diversity and a strategy to attract holiday shoppers. The first parade featured live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo. However, over time, policies and practices evolved to address safety, public interest, and operational challenges. . By the 1930s, helium balloons replaced live animals, signaling the parade’s commitment to innovation and safety. The debut of Mickey Mouse as a balloon in 1934 showcased how the parade began leveraging #corporatepartnerships (early #branding genius). Despite interruptions like World War II, when rubber and helium were rationed, Macy’s pivoted its policies to keep public interest alive. They aired reruns of previous parades, proving their adaptability. #Policy and #Leadership: 1. #CrisisManagement: The parade has endured wars, economic downturns, and even the COVID-19 pandemic. Macy’s ability to pivot, like creating a virtual parade in 2020 shows the importance of proactive contingency planning. 2. #OperationalExcellence: Organizing thousands of participants, ensuring safety, and managing logistics in a bustling urban environment require robust policies. From permits to balloon handlers’ training, every detail is codified and rehearsed. 3. #CulturalSensitivity: Macy’s has faced criticism for lacking diverse representation in its programming. In recent years, they’ve worked to make the parade more inclusive, demonstrating how policies evolve to reflect societal values. 4. #BrandAlignment: The parade embodies Macy’s identity: family-friendly, innovative, and aspirational. Leaders ensured every policy, from performer selection to advertising partnerships, reinforced their brand promise. #Foryou: Whether you’re running a global corporation or building a small team, consider this: Are your policies as forward-thinking as Macy’s? Do they prepare your organization for unexpected challenges while staying true to your mission? Leadership is not about avoiding balloons bursting; it’s about ensuring they rise every year, no matter what. And remember: great policies don’t just protect…they inspire.

#sustainability #nobelprize Burgers, fries, and soda, the American version of German meat and potatoes with a drink, from the icon of American cultural globalization, the golden arch of Ray Kroc’s McDonald’s, gave the comeback kid from Hope, Arkansas, Bill Clinton, a triple bypass. Taste and health cannot be more perfectly uncorrelated, -1, or are they perfectly correlated, 1, because what Clinton and Bill Gates consider taste is reality the lack of it? This lack of taste is giving the planet a nona-bypass along all the nine planetary boundaries, as the Amazon burns to let the cows graze to feed the world’s growing appetite for their flesh along with economic growth and aspiration of the one human family to converge. Gates wrote a book on climate. Invested in how to mitigate cows passing methane. But his addiction to money and cows remains, undermining both his book and investments. The way to save humanity is not to make rounds of both Norway and Sub Saharan Africa, far far above and far far below the equator, the Great White North and the Great Black South, but walking the talk on global sustainability. Does this sound good or do you want me to give you consent to talk about my vision to showboat and make a quick buck?