BLACK STORIES. BLACK FILM. BLACK SPIRITS. DETROIT. 🥃🎬 This episode of Beards, Bourbon, Whiskey is about a whole lot more than what's in the glass. Q. Lewis sits down with Lazar Favors, CEO of Black Spirits Legacy / Taste of Black Spirits and co-director of the Detroit Black Film Festival, along with Mike Jonez, to talk about what happens when Black storytelling, filmmaking, entrepreneurship, spirits and Detroit culture all meet at the same table. And you already know…we poured something while we talked. 🥃 The conversation dives into the importance of owning and protecting Black stories, the growth of Detroit's film community, creating opportunities for independent filmmakers and what Detroit needs to become an even stronger destination for film and television production. The fellas also get into the level of excellence audiences are now seeing in productions like Diarra From Detroit and what projects like it demonstrate about the talent, stories, locations and creative potential coming straight out of the Motor City. Then we get into TWO major Detroit events happening this September: 🎬 THE 7TH ANNUAL DETROIT BLACK FILM FESTIVAL 📅 September 23–27, 2026 This year's festival is slated to showcase 89 films from filmmakers around the world, with screenings, panels, networking, receptions and special events taking place across Detroit. The week kicks off Wednesday, September 23 from 5–9 PM with the Filmmaker's Lounge at Mama Imani Humphrey Hall, followed by screenings and programming at the Detroit Historical Museum, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and The Love Building throughout the festival. The Awards Ceremony closes out Sunday from 12–5 PM at The Wright, followed by an Afterglow at The Office Ultra Lounge at 6 PM. 🎟️ Current DBFF ticket options include $35 screening passes, a $150 Film Festival + Awards Ceremony pass, and a $300 All Access Black Pass that includes the festival plus Taste of Black Spirits. There are also individual opening-night, awards and senior ticket options. Detroit Black Film Festival tickets & passes 🥃 TASTE OF BLACK SPIRITS — THE AMPLIFY 2026 📅 Friday, September 25, 2026 📍 Belle Isle Casino — Detroit ⏰ 11 AM–8 PM 🔞 21+ to taste Taste of Black Spirits ( Black Legacy Lounge) returns for its 17th edition, bringing together spirits, culture, education and entrepreneurship. The day begins with The Liquid Forum from 11 AM–3 PM, featuring industry education, networking and conversations surrounding representation, sustainability, finance and growing brands in the beverage industry. Then from 4–8 PM, it's time for the Grand Tasting Exhibition, featuring handcrafted cocktails and a huge collection of spirits brands, including Sable Bourbon, Black Eden Bourbon, Black Girl Magic Wine and many more. 🎟️ Liquid Forum + Grand Tasting: $80 🎟️ A $115 Grand Tasting + signed Simple Sips cocktail book option is also currently listed. Taste of Black Spirits — tickets & event details This conversation is about building platforms instead of waiting for invitations—creating spaces where Black filmmakers can show their work, Black spirits brands can get in front of consumers, and Black stories can be told with the quality and respect they deserve. Detroit has the stories. Detroit has the talent. Detroit has the filmmakers. Now it's about building the infrastructure to make sure the world sees it. 🥃 Pour one up and join the conversation. 👍🏾 LIKE | 💬 COMMENT | 🔔 SUBSCRIBE | 📲 SHARE Everybody Loves BBW. #BeardsBourbonWhiskey #EverybodyLovesBBW #TasteOfBlackSpirits #DetroitBlackFilmFestival #BlackSpiritsLegacy #BlackOwnedSpirits #BlackFilmmakers #DetroitFilm #DetroitFilmmakers #DiarraFromDetroit #BlackCinema #DetroitEvents #BourbonPodcast #WhiskeyPodcast #DetroitPodcast #EBlockRadio See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
