Fawn Weaver is the author of a best-selling book on happy marriages. Her husband is a movie exec. They were happy and comfortable in Los Angeles. But then she read a story about a former slave named Nearest Green, who taught his method of making Tennessee whiskey to a young businessman named Jack Daniel. Weaver longed to know more.
That journey led to her founding a company that honors Nearest Green by making a whiskey called Uncle Nearest. Her company has made news by having women and minorities in most of the leadership roles. But she says the history of whiskey is full of Black people like Nearest Green whose contributions are just now coming to light.
Let's keep the conversation going. Who do you want to hear from next on the SouthBound podcast?
Submit your idea in the box below. You can also send a tweet to @tommytomlinson or @wfae, and email me at ttomlinson@wfae.org.
Show notes:
- The story that started Weaver's journey in 2016
- The Uncle Nearest website
- Weaver's best-selling book, "Happy Wives Club"
Other music in this episode:
- Cambo, "Coffee"
- Ketsa, "Never Forget"
New episodes of SouthBound come out every other Wednesday. Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts Google Play Stitcher NPR One
SouthBound is a production of WFAE. Our host is Tommy Tomlinson. Our audience engagement manager is Joni Deutsch, and our main theme comes from Josh Turner.
