If the U.S. achieved racial equity, we could maximize the population’s productivity and increase the national GDP by $8 Trillion.

This stat from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation report ‘The Business Case for Racial Equity” is the driving force behind the 8 Trill Initiative.

Our mission is to make the craft beer industry an example of the economic impact of achieving racial equity.

Through the 8 Trill Grant and 8 Trillion Allies, the 8 Trill Initiative will provide capital and resources to Black-owned brewing companies.

Currently, less than 1% of brands in craft beer are Black-owned.

Our goal is to achieve 13% Black-owned breweries in this country, which would represent the percentage of Black people in the U.S.

Racial equity, according to the organization Race Forward, is the process of eliminating racial disparities and improving outcomes for everyone. It is the intentional and continual practice of changing policies, practices, systems and structures by prioritizing measurable change in the lives of people of color.

Racial inequity restricts and excludes people of color from fully pursuing economic opportunities, limiting the growth of all communities and our country as a whole. By prioritizing measurable change for people of color, we remove the barriers to opportunities, improving the system for everyone.

By making brewery ownership more equitable for Black Americans, we improve the pathway to ownership for all. Racial equity is not only about closing the gap between Whites and Blacks, but ensuring everyone has the access and resources to reach their full potential.

Advancing racial equity in craft beer will lead to social and economic well-being for the entire industry and beyond. Our industry will see an increase in consumers, employers, employees, and overall revenue.

Put simply, racial equity benefits not just people of color but everyone.

Dismantling an unjust system that has been in place for centuries is a daunting task, but it’s imperative for us to start somewhere. And that somewhere is right here in the craft beer industry where the lack of diversity is a glaring issue.

There are more than 9,000+ craft breweries in the U.S. Of those, around 60 are Black owned. Despite making up more than 13% of the population, less than 1% of breweries are Black owned.

In order to chart the path towards racial equity in the craft beer industry, it’s time for us to change the narrative around the lack of Black-owned breweries into an actionable goal for us all to pull towards. With the help of Dr. J. Nikol Jackson-Beckham, we landed on a number to strive for.

To reach true representation of Black Americans in the craft beer industry, 13% of breweries in the U.S. must have Black ownership.