Greenwood Whiskey: Honoring the legacy of Black Wall Street with exceptional spirits

Greenwood Whiskey pays homage to one of the most significant and historically rich African American neighborhoods in the United States, the Historic Greenwood District aka “Black Wall Street” located in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Founded by Che Bailey, Sheldon Johns Hairrs, James Roach “KG” Gordon, their spirit celebrates this early 20th century community, known for its thriving businesses, cultural richness, and strong sense of community.

Their award-winning whiskey brand consists of Greenwood Rye Whiskey, Greenwood Celebration Caramel Whiskey, and Special Edition Greenwood 1906.

At Greenwood Whiskey, they blend tradition with innovation to create a truly exceptional spirit. Crafted from the finest ingredients and aged to perfection, each bottle embodies the rich heritage and bold character of our brand.

Greenwood Whiskey is currently sold retail in Georgia, Oklahoma, Virginia, Texas, Louisiana, & South Carolina, available online in over 40 states, and sold in more than 500 stores, hotels, restaurants, bar and cigar lounges across the United States.

Greenwood Whiskey Q&A:

The Atlanta Voice: Why did you guys decide to start your business?

Kweillin ‘KG’ Gordon : We started our business because we were like many people working a 9 to 5. We were burnt out doing something that only provided a living but not a passion and a purpose. We decided to chase something that we are passionate about with hopes that it will inspire others to embrace all that life has to offer by actively chasing their dreams.

AV: Was there a moment that inspired you to start this business?

KG: We were sitting in one of our co-founder’s basements, drinking whiskey and discussing planning our exits from our 9 to 5s. Then it hit me. A day earlier, I was sitting in one of our favorite sports bars in Atlanta and something jumped out to me while attempting to order a drink.  This establishment was Black owned, the manager, waitstaff, and bartenders were Black. But when I looked behind the bar, the product selection didn’t represent the same level of diversity that we see in Atlanta. At that moment we realized that we were underrepresented in one of our most enjoyable pastimes: whiskey, cigars, and conversations, with an emphasis on whiskey. Instead of complaining about the lack of diversity in the spirits industry, where less than 3% of the suppliers are minorities, we decided to do something about it. We had this conversation in 2018 and it led to us launching 2 years later.

AV: Is there a mentor in your life that inspired/inspires you as a business owner?

KG: We have a long list of mentors that inspire us in many ways. Even though we haven’t met most of our mentors in person, we still study them for information and wisdom. For example, legendary entrepreneurs like O.W. Gurley, the founder of the Greenwood District inspires us to build an economic community that lots of people can benefit from. In our industry, Fawn Weaver (Founder of Uncle Nearest) has been a true mentor and inspiration to us as well.

AV: What are your business goals for the remainder of the year?

KG: Our goal is to continue to grow our presence in the Atlanta market. We are currently in 250 retail locations in Georgia including liquor stores, bars, and restaurants. Our goal is to increase to 400 locations by year-end. We want as many people as possible to experience our whiskey and the historic story that comes along with it.

AV: Any advice to future business owners about taking the plunge?

KG: Take action. You won’t have all the answers to the questions that make you hesitant about starting a business.  Don’t let the fear of the unknown stop you. Do something every day that gets you closer to launching your business. Regardless of how big or small this action is, these consistent steps will help you learn more and help you prepare for this journey.

AV: The Whiskey is inspired by the Legacy of Black Wall Street. Please tell me what this means to you and the brand? The Legacy of Black Wall Street symbolizes courage, resilience, community, and excellence. This group of African American entrepreneurs built a community that was home to 500+ businesses during a period where they didn’t have basic civil liberties. This should inspire the modern-day entrepreneur that you can succeed regardless of the obstacles that are in your way.

For more information and to purchase your own Greenwood whiskey, visit https://www.greenwoodwhiskey.com

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