Afros and Knives Podcast Afros and Knives

In the season finale of the Afros and Knives podcast, host Tiffany Rozier has an insightful conversation with Victoria Butler, the Master Blender at Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey. This episode delves into Victoria's unique journey from working at the Department of Justice to leading whiskey production at one of Tennessee's finest distilleries, intertwining her great-great-grandfather Nearest Green's legacy into each blend. The listeners get to hear fascinating stories of tradition, the significant impact of Black women in the whiskey industry, and the festive reopening of the Uncle Nearest distillery on Juneteenth.

Victoria shares personal anecdotes and insights into the art of whiskey blending. The discussions cover diverse themes such as joy, resilience, and the critical role of sourcing high-quality grains, painting a vivid picture of the craft behind Uncle Nearest. This episode is a testament to the significant influence of Black women in the whiskey industry and Victoria's unique contributions to her family's legacy. With its inspiring and enlightening content, this podcast episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the art of whiskey-making, the legacy of Nearest Green, and the impact of Black women in the whiskey industry.

Step into the urban greenery of Atlanta with Jamila Norman, a beacon of transformation in the realm of local food and sustainability. Join us as we traverse Jamila's journey from her Caribbean roots, rich with agricultural wisdom, to the heart of Georgia's capital, where she battles food deserts with the might of Patchwork City Farms. Her narrative is not just a story of change, but a powerful testament to the resilience and empowerment needed to weave sustainability and equity into the fabric of urban life.

This episode paints a vivid portrait of urban farming's bittersweet symphony, from the community-focused triumphs to the sting of systemic challenges. Unfolding the tale of a school gardening program that bloomed and was then plucked away for a parking lot, Jamila's experiences echo the historical struggles of Black farmers and the urgency to protect community spaces. Dive into a conversation that is as grounding as it is enlightening, exploring the importance of green space advocacy and education amidst the relentless pace of urban development.

As we round off our discussion, Jamila shares the serendipity behind her foray into television with "Homegrown" and the enchanting moment she secured her own plot of land in Atlanta. Her journey is a stirring reminder of the power in seizing opportunities, the wisdom of listening to intuition, and the significance of sharing diverse agricultural narratives. Jamila's vision for food sovereignty, ancestral knowledge preservation, and the cultivation of farm-to-table diversity is a call to action, encouraging us to rethink our relationship with our food and the soil it springs from. To witness the growth and get rooted in the conversation, follow Jamila's progress on Instagram and catch "Homegrown," streaming now.

Nayana Ferguson and host Tiffani Rozier shine a spotlight on Nayana's journey as the co-owner of the Anteel Tequila They discuss her motivation to start the brand, the challenges she faced – including dealing with the Mexican government and the challenge of breaking into the predominantly male and white industry, and her passion for fostering an inclusive and respectful company culture. They also delve into broader topics like the pressure and expectations faced by black women, societal norms for work-life balance, and the role of respect in any workspace.

When she left the Steamboat, she found a job that changed everything. Starting as a sales assistant she learned about every aspect of the business. She wrote and edited recipes, was the occasional sous chef for Iron Chef-style competitions, and sold cooking classes and special events. The biggest lesson was how the right story will bring the right people and situations into your life. All of those jobs and skills have lead her to this moment, helping people craft the best dang cookbook with the best stories and recipes anyone can write.

Jinji is a Baltimore, Maryland native, and alumni of Indiana University. She spent her earliest professional years working in the Non-profit sector and Retail before working as a nutrition counselor in 2012. Shortly thereafter, Jinji studied the craft of chocolate making, opening Pure Chocolate by Jinji with her father; tapping into a decades old ancestral calling she continues to explore today through travel, writing and production. Jinji lives in Baltimore City with her husband, Paul, and son, Stokely Ashe.
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Chocolate & Justice is a web series we do at our shop that's accessible from anywhere via zoom. We interview various people across our industry, and outside of what we do as well to understand how justice and liberation play in our everyday lives as Makers.

Porshae' was a peculiar child, who stayed up late to read in the dark after her bedtime, preferred being in her grandmother's New Jersey kitchen, and remembers the Food Network Premier (November 23, 1993). Her father confirmed that she came running through the house, saying a channel only showed food, which he did not believe. A few days later, he walked past her room and confirmed this was a real thing; that was the start.

As a food scientist, she has six years of experience ranging from Quality Assurance Lab Technician to Operations Compliance to Food Scientist. She's worked for significant food companies you'd know, smaller ingredient brands, and even did a stint in Pharma and Consumer Healthcare. The pandemic changed everything, including her mindset. After years of ignoring clear signs from God and her ancestors (Áse), she's branding herself and stepping from behind the shadows at the behest of a handful of friends and family. Imposter syndrome is accurate, and it may be time to finally tell her story.

She decided to launch Thee Soul Food Scientist blog in late 2021, an Instagram page under the same moniker, to start documenting her journey as a Black Food Scientist (with a few other surprise demographics included). She gives a modern look at what it looks like when you take Steely Dan mixed with Queen Latifah, a little Steve Urkel, Bill Nye, and Alton Brown bit of Audre Lorde. Yes, that should give you a glimpse of who she is. For the rest, tune in.