Shannon Harris is hoping to open the first Black-owned brewery in Austin, TX along with his wife and co-owner Tiana Harris. And once Urban Jungle Brewing opens in 2022, it will function as a brewery, bakery, farm, and horse rescue in the North Austin area, as reported in Eater.
RELATED: The First Black-Owned Brewery In Memphis Is Open For Business
“After studying business, spending eight years in construction, portfolio accounting, five years of homebrewing, [and] four years of collaborating with craft breweries across the US, and visiting breweries around the world, I’m finally going pro,” he said.
In Texas, there is currently one Black-owned brewery. San Antonio microbrewery Weathered Souls launched the national “Black Is Beautiful” beer that will support equality for people of color.
RELATED: Black-Owned Brewery Creates Beer Recipe For Others To Support Racial Equality
Harris says he wants to create a space where diversity and inclusivity is not only tolerated but welcomed.
“A place where people of color, women, LBTQIA+, and everyone can know that they have a family, a place to hang out, socialize, feel safe, and enjoy good beer,” he added.
There are more than 8,000 breweries in the United States but only 1 percent are Black-owned, according to Bart Watson, chief economist of the Brewers Association.