2025 Conference Speakers

Aaron McGinnis

Board Certified Chaplain and Bereavement Coordinator, providing spiritual and
emotional support to patients, families , and staff under hospice services. Dedicated beer nerd,
connoisseur, and lover of fine wines, whiskeys, and tequilas. Lover of helping people to become
a better version of themselves! Aspiring coach and writer.

Ale Sharpton

Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a world-renowned beer authority, award- winning
journalist, blogger (AleSharpton.com), photographer, event planner, host, speaker, and travel
writer to name a few of his roles. While passionately traveling the globe to cover everything from
automobiles to culinary scenes, celebrity profiles, sports, hotel destinations, art, and what he
terms “the world’s best beverage,” Ale has contributed to more than 30 magazines and
websites, including USAToday, Thrillist.com, Theinfatuation.com, ButterATL.com, Craft Beer &
Brewing, CraftBeer.com, James Beard, Lifestyle Publications, Atlanta Magazine, and others. Ale
has also conceptualized a beer called Piano Keys—a chocolate vanilla imperial stout—geared
to support diversity and racial equality, which spawned his initiative, BrewGether, which raises
funds to support Black farmers in the urban agriculture space embracing the same mission as
Piano Keys.

Alison Wisneski

Alison Wisneski wears many hats, but most of them fall under sales and marketing, including content creation, management, and strategy, along with authentic social media. She is the co-owner of Lady Justice Brewing alongside her wife, and is the owner of Alison Wisneski Strategy, LLC.

Her background in journalism and social change make her uniquely qualified to talk about and partner with you on the things that matter most. In her free time, you can find her sipping a local pale ale or Negroni on a patio no matter the season (a true Wisconsinite to the core), preferably surrounded by dogs.

Allo Gilinsky

Allo Gilinsky runs his own events and consulting business as The Craft Beer Concierge
in the Boston area. He is a Certified Cicerone® and loves to dive deep into beer style
history, food and beer pairings, and more. He has taught beer school classes locally
and is always striving to further approachable yet informative beer education to
consumers and beer industry staff alike. He’ll never say no to a thirst quenching Helles
and considers himself somewhat of a Saison savant.

Alsie Parks

Alsie Parks serves as the Co-Executive Director and institutional steward for SAAFON in the
legacy of Cynthia Hayes, anchoring field organizing within our landscape and the development
of base building strategies. Alsie is an Atlanta-native, that advocates and activates the use of
food as an organizing tool for healing and liberation. As a farmer organizer, agrarian cultural
worker, food systems practitioner, land steward and nurturer, she serves by cultivating intimate
and responsive relationships with and for the land and our people that activate remembrance,
honor sacred traditions and shares in the practice of Black land-based lifeways and foodways.

She learned from her grandmothers to always use your skills in service to your people. She is
also an active institutional steward of the historic Black land base, Boggs Rural Life Center in
Keysville, GA. As a child of the South, she is the granddaughter of educators, sharecroppers,
and black land owners with ancestral land in Lincolnton, GA. Alongside her matriarch’s she is
reviving Motherline Farm where her ancestors loved and lived on the land they belong deeply
to.

Billie Harris

Billie Harris is a Vinologist and Founder of The Vino Van, a wine tour company that
journeys to North Georgia’s Wine Country. Billie also hosts unique and informative
WINE101 & Beyond public and private tasting classes and dinners under her sister
company “Goodness In A Glass”. She recently launched “The Posh Nosh” a mobile
charcuterie cart offering locally sourced ingredients from Georgia purveyors, farmers,
and shops. Billie has studied wine for over 10yrs and holds a WSET2 Certification with
Merit. She has acquired several achievements in her career to include the McBride
Sister’s SHE CAN 2019 Scholarship, 2020 Comcast RISE Grant for Minority Businesses,
USA Today’s 10Best 2020 and 2022 Reader’s Choice in travel “Best Wine Tour
Company”, 2024 Gusto Impact Award Finalist, Finger Lakes Wine Alliance Riesling Camp
Alumni (2024), The Hue Society Award for 2024 Wine Tour-Guide of the Year, and a
2024 recipient of SommCon’s Professional Merit Scholarship. Billie is a member and the
Vice President of The Sweet Auburn Chapter of The Hue Society, member of The
Sommelier Guild of Atlanta, and active with Women In Wine Atlanta. She is also an avid
philanthropist, 12yr member, former Arts & Culture Chair, and current Newsletter Editor
of The Atlanta Woman’s Club where she supports and volunteers with local community
non-profits, many with missions that encourage the advancement of women in our
society.

Chavonne White

Chavonne White is a passionate Personal Development Coach and Wine Enthusiast who
blends self-discovery with experiential learning. Through innovative workshops and tastings, she
helps individuals embrace transformation and authenticity. She is the creator and founder of a
nonprofit organization called I Am ME (My Essence), which assists individuals in discovering
their true essence. She has created workshops that guide individuals in releasing limiting beliefs
and reconnecting with their core values so they can create a life that feels genuine, joyful, and
true to who they are.

Chavonne also created Mahogany + Merlot, a wine tasting experience to assist those new to
wine, showing them that wine doesn't have to be expensive to be enjoyed. She helps people
transition from mass-produced wine to quality wine from family-owned and operated vineyards
that care about quality, allowing them to experience different cultures without leaving their
community.
Chavonne is also an Author and is finishing her degree in Psychology, incorporating her
knowledge into her work to support personal growth and self-discovery.

Chris Farmand

Chris Lemons

Chris Lemons is an Atlanta native and a Master Gardener. He comes from a long lineage of
farmers in Georgia and has maintained and managed Gratitude Botanical Farm for years. Chris
has more than 10 years of experience as a grower. Gratitude Botanical Farm’s mission is to
grow, educate, feed, serve and protect the history of the people of Atlanta through the art of
organic urban agriculture.

Chris McLloyd

Chris, also known as "The Hip Hop Somm,"is a dynamic wine professional based in Atlanta who has excelled across all facets of the industry--- from restaurants and retail to distribution. As the co-founder of Select Few Dinner Club, Chris is known for making wine approachable and enjoyable at every level.

Claire Trindle

Claire is the Founder of Blind Bear Beverages, bringing unique
beverage-tasting experiences to Philadelphia. As a Certified Cider Guide and Certified Beer Server, Claire's passion lies in sharing her expertise and love of
craft beverages. She honed her skills as the General Manager of Hale & True Cider Co. and as the Philadelphia Brand Ambassador for Graft Cider. Claire is an
active member of the Philadelphia chapters of the United States Bartenders Guild, Pink Boots Society, and Sisterly Love Collective.

Corey Hinton

Soul Brothers Brewing is a brewery in planning that specializes in crafting artisan ales and lagers. We combine old world practices with modern day techniques.

Day Bracey

Founder of Barrel & Flow. Hobbies include: Drinking, talking sh*t, and paying Black people. Co-host of the award-winning Drinking Partners podcast and the Emmy Nominated TV show ‘Ed & Day in The Burgh’ on Very Local TV.

Emily Wines

Emily Wines, Founder & CEO of Trunk Tea Spirit-Free Cocktails.

Emily Wines is a Birmingham native who knows her way around the bar.
During her tenure at Auburn University, she had the opportunity to study wine through a study
abroad program in Napa and Sonoma Valleys. So, there’s no wonder that she naturally
progressed to bartending as her trade.
After years in the food and beverage industry, she’s developed a love for simple things like food,
drink, and company. In fact, that’s what Trunk Tea Spirits is all about. Providing simple pleasures
crafted with quality ingredients for those who don’t want to imbibe but still deserve a quality
beverage.

Erin White

Erin White is a business strategy and process improvement consultant with experience across CPG, Technology, and Hospitality sectors. As CEO & MastHER Strategist of Hexagon Strategy Group, she leverages deep business acumen to help professionals and entrepreneurs develop innovative business solutions while delivering strategic organizational transformations. Her enterprise-wide expertise spans organizations from startups to Fortune 500 companies across four continents, where she's supported diverse global teams. A Howard University and Vanderbilt MBA graduate, Erin specializes in helping founders and organizations document and articulate clear business strategies that drive bottom-line results and keep customer needs at the forefront.

Isaiah Smith

Isaiah Smith has spent 36 years on this planet and learned many things. Chief among them is the importance of finding your purpose. Isaiah believes his purpose in life is to spread peace, love, and positivity one pint at a time. In service of this goal, he co-founded Our Culture Brewing Company with his beautiful wife Josie, his twin brother Isaac, and his best friend of over 20 years Shakeel. Tapping into his decade-long professional career in the supply chain industry, coupled with his passion for craft beer, Isaiah thought that the position of CEO for Our Culture Brewing would be the best way he could create a scenario where passion and purpose aligned and channel that energy into a better tomorrow. Until Our Culture Brewing’s taproom opens, his talents are dedicated to building a world class supply chain for Creature Comforts Brewing in Athens GA where he has served as Director of Supply Chain since 2023.

Jamie Toney

Jamie Toney has been exploring the world of craft beer for 15 years, with a passion for
mixed fermentation and a curiosity that leads her to try new brews wherever she travels.
A true beer adventurer, she seeks out unique flavors and hidden gems, always eager to
expand her palate. When she’s not exploring the latest craft beer scene, she’s indulging
her love of music—because for her, the perfect night out is a great beer and a karaoke
mic.

Jen Blair

Founder & creator, Under the Jenfluence and Aroma: Explore the Wheel.

Jen is a Master Cicerone and National BJCP beer judge. She is the Exam Manager
for the Cicerone Certification Program and co-host of False Bottomed Girls, a podcast
about beer and brewing. Jen is the creator of Under the Jenfluence and Aroma: Explore
the Wheel. She is an international beer judge and judges for the Great American Beer
Festival, Festival of Barrel-Aged Beer, and World Beer Cup.

Jen Price

Founder, Crafted for Action

Jen's passion for beer was ignited through memorable experiences shared with her dad, leading to an enduring appreciation for the craft. As a Cicerone Certified Beer Server, she authored The Chick’s Guide to Beer: 7 Simple Rules for the Beer Novice, aiming to simplify the world of beer for newcomers. Her mission is to foster genuine connections in welcoming environments for all who share a love for beer. Through her work, Jen continues to champion inclusivity and collaboration within the industry.

Jess Merritt

As one of the pioneering female craft beer influencers and bloggers from Chicago, I have dedicated myself to making the beer community more inclusive and accessible
by creating spaces for individuals from all walks of life to talk and taste beer. Over the years, I have been published nationally and spoken on beer podcasts across the
country. My initiatives include hosting beer meetups, guest brewing for special causes,
and engaging in fundraising efforts for domestic violence. Additionally, I now collaborate with beer-centric restaurants and hotels, showcasing their offerings through my blog and social media platforms.

Jim Hodgson

I'm a filmmaker and beer lover. I also like wine.

Joel Franklin

Joel is the head brewer at Wood Foot Brewery in Fort Walton Beach, FL.

Jovon Brown

I am the Brewing Assistant at Skeleton Key Brewery in Woodridge, IL. I am also a Certified Cicerone (Level 2).

I first got into craft beer about 15 years ago after growing tired of the unpleasant next-day effects from spirits. Back then, I was drinking Bud Light, and had tried Guinness in the past and was intrigued. So, during my search for a drinking alternative, I started noticing stouts beyond the typical beers you’d see in TV ads, and curiosity led me deeper down the rabbit hole.

Next, I discovered the warm, inclusive, and overall wonderful community within the craft beer world. I began studying and researching more, until I encountered one of craft beer’s most captivating elements: its rich, eclectic history. As a history lover and self-proclaimed buff, I was thrilled to uncover beer’s origin story, and often-overlooked role throughout human history—it felt like a perfect match.

This fascination sparked my journey toward becoming a Master Cicerone. I am currently preparing to test for Level 2 of 4 (Certified Cicerone).

Finally, after an honest self-evaluation and some significant life events—including realizing that I was usually the only kid that loved root BEER and ginger ALE—I realized my true calling: to become a brewer and a “beer baron.”

As mentioned, I am currently the assistant brewer at Skeleton Key Brewing in Woodridge, IL. Today, I’m planning to open a chain of ‘taproom & bottle shop’ concepts, brew my own beer for retail in those establishments, and pursue other exciting ventures in the craft beer world.

Julie Rhodes

With over 20 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, Julie Rhodes is an expert in beverage sales, digital marketing, distributor management, and business strategy. As the owner of Not Your Hobby Marketing Solutions, she provides fractional consulting services for small and medium-sized craft beverage companies by teaching them how to work smarter, not harder. She is also a freelance business journalist, higher ed instructor, industry mentor, active guild supporter, public speaker, wife, and mom of two boys.

Kevin Asato

Kevin is a 30 year beverage industry expert with diverse experience in Adult Beverage, Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Carbonated Soft Drinks. He is credentialed as a Certified Spirit Specialist (CSS), WSET Wine Level 1, and working on his Cicerone Certification . His tenure with Anheuser Busch, Miller Brewing, PepsiCo, Dr. Pepper Snapple, Bacardi USA, and Republic National Distributing has enabled him to develop and execute Sales, Marketing, and Distribution plans across multiple channels in both state and national capacities.

Kevin is committed to developing minority leaders and improving racial inequalities in the beverage and CPG industries. His passion for mentoring minority talent and advising beverage companies comes to life through serving on the board of the Uncle Nearest Venture Fund and his role as Managing Partner with Davin Brand Management. Both these entities facilitate the growth of BIPOC or female owned adult beverage companies.

Outside of the beverage space, Kevin is an avid cyclist and poker player. He’s an active member of his community by volunteering his time and services to his local parish and AYSO Soccer. Kevin also assists the Los Angeles Sports Council, a sports trade association that leverages the Los Angeles sports ecosystem to have positive community impact.

Participating as the Executive Director for NB2A is directly aligned with his core values and taps into all of his experiences and skills. He’s honored to be selected as the first Executive Director and to build the foundation that will fuel the growth of Black owned breweries, membership into the organization and celebrate the history and accomplishments of the Black Brewers of America.