Samuel Adams Philanthropic Program, Brewing The American Dream

Samuel Adams may make great beer, but even more fantastic is their philanthropic program, Brewing The American Dream. In partnership with Accion Opportunity Fund, one of the nation’s largest non-profit micro-lenders, the innovative program supports small business owners (51% women and 70% BIPOC) in the food, beverage, and brewing industries through access to business capital, coaching, and new market opportunities.

Dominque Burrell-Paige, Founder, Blacker the Berry, who won the Brewing the American Dream LA pitch competitionPhoto bySusan Hornik

“Since the inception of the Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream program, Brewing the American Dream has worked together with Accion Opportunity Fund in loaning more than $96.5 million to more than 4,100 small business owners who have subsequently repaid these loans at a rate of more than 95 per cent,” said Jennifer Glanville, who has headed up the program since its inception.

“Samuel Adams, together with local business partners and community organizations, have provided coaching and mentoring to more than 14,000 business owners across the country helping to create or maintain more than 9,000 local jobs,” she noted.

Norwalk BrewhousePhoto bySusan Hornik

Glanville has been busy hosting The Brewing the American Dream Pitch Room,  a unique competition for emerging food and beverage entrepreneurs, in which participants practice and perfect the art of the sales pitch for the chance to win a $10,000 business grant in addition to a year’s worth of all-access business coaching from Samuel Adams experts.

“Held in various cities across the country throughout the year, business owners may apply and, if selected, have the opportunity to make their best two-minute business pitch to a panel of qualified, local judges that typically include buyers, chefs, writers, and representatives from Samuel Adams,” she noted.

Samuel Adams generally hosts 10 – 15 pitch rooms per year and are ongoingly exploring new areas across the country. So far, the events have been held in thriving entrepreneurial communities throughout the country including Boston, Los Angeles, Detroit, Austin, New York and Cincinnati.

Katona's CreameryPhoto bySusan Hornik

"Entrepreneurs have commented that Brewing the American Dream has given them the opportunity to reach new markets, help them grow as a brand, learn best practices for running and launching a small business. Once entrepreneurs get involved, the networking opportunities, coaching, and mentorship will always be accessible to them and their small business. There have been many instances where the businesses have participated in a pitch room and not been selected as the winner, but have worked on their brands and pitching abilities and applied again to be selected as the winner."

Recently, the brand held a pitch competition in Los Angeles, with Blacker The Berry Juicery winning the coveted award.

"Founder Dominique Burrell-Paige started his company on a mission to change food culture by making it easy and accessible for people to make healthier choices within marginalized communities," said Glanville.

"Food apartheid has affected marginalized communities since the beginning of time, creating food deserts, leaving economically disadvantaged communities without non-healthy food options, and Blacker The Berry is focused on building a global community around health and social justice. They sell cold pressed juices made with non-pasteurized, 100 per cent plant-based ingredients."

Omiso, one of the brands who competed at the LA Pitch Room for Brewing the American DreamPhoto bySusan Hornik

Entrepreneurs who participated: Omiso, El Machete Artisan Salsas & Hot Sauces, Meat Shredz, Norwalk Brewhouse, and Katona's KreameryPhoto bysusan hornik

Acknowledged Burrell-Paige: "I’ll be completely honest and vulnerable here, while I’m extremely thankful for this opportunity I really didn’t think I was going to win. A lot of times I live in my head and being the only Black person pitching their product did intimidate me for a second, but WE DID IT.  Blacker The Berry Juicery is bigger than juice. It’s bigger than social justice. It's about community. Building a community of forward-thinking individuals who find the passion in all things BLACK while being healthy at the same time. The funds from winning will be used to continue building a team and crafting a community to stand the test of times.”