A few months ago I received a message from Andrew of Fine Balance Brewing Company asking if I would want to work on a collaboration with him. He likes the work I’ve been doing to amplify local Black-owned businesses and was wondering if I would want to participate in one of their quarterly collaborations with a portion of the proceeds going back to a local non-profit which I would get to choose. I was so humbled by this message and eager to work with Andrew!

If you’re new here, I will give a bit of context about the Black-owned business list. In 2020, the height of the Black Lives Matter movement, I shared about my personal experiences growing up in Kingston as a Black kid and teenager. That blog post got a lot of attention and I decided to shift the focus away from myself and onto something actionable and important. I started a Black-owned business list for folks looking for ways to address a global issue locally. It gave a platform for businesses that might not get as much traction locally and also for Black folks across the diaspora to easily find more of their culture in our community.

Since 2020, I update the list every few months and it has grown significantly. I often learn how folks found their braider, barber or specific recipe ingredient by referring to the list. It really fills me with so much joy. Last year, the city of Kingston invited community to help plan Emancipation Day events (Emancipation Day is the anniversary of the beginning of the end of enslavement across the British Empire in 1833) and I was lucky enough to co-chair the planning of the inaugural Black Block Party which brought many of the businesses out of the blog and onto Ontario Street in front of City Hall and Confederation Park. Locals and folks from out of town came down to celebrate the vibrant Black culture in our community with live art, musical performances, poetry, Caribbean and African foods and more. The weather was horrendous – it poured rain all day but it was still magical. And this year, we are doing it again! Emancipation day events will go from Aug 1-3 with the Emancipation Day Black Block Party happening on Aug 3 – woot!

With all of this being said, when Andrew reached out with this beer collaboration idea I felt there was no better time to launch the beer then in the lead up to Emancipation Day. Black History and Futures Month is during the shortest, darkest and coldest month of the year, I am hear for turning up with celebration for Black communities in the summer heat! Learn more about all of the Emancipation Day festivities here.

To truly commemorate this special collaboration and in the spirit of supporting local Black entrepreneurs, artists and makers, I asked local artist Chelle Boo Shaa to design the label and I am OBSESSED! I honestly just gave her the name of the beer and she created the most perfect label logo. It’s as if she was in my brain. And it’s no coincidence that you can find Chelle on August 3 at the block party selling her prints and also doing portraits all day!

Now, in terms of the non-profit, I decided to support the Umoja Black Advisory Council as they prioritize the needs of Black children, youth and families in KFLA. They are currently working on programming to fill some of the gaps of the underrepresented. I’ve had opportunities over the last few years to connect with local high school students of colour and I am sad to learn that things haven’t changed as much as I would want considering how long ago I was in high school. This program is so important and I am so happy to be able to offer support in this way.

I named the beer Afro Dreams to encompass the entire diaspora and my hopes for the Black community to continue to grow roots and find each other in Kingston. Kingston really is a beautiful city and we all benefit from making sure that everyone who calls it home feels a strong sense of belonging and acceptance.

So, if you’re still reading, thank you for sticking with me. Long story, short, you can now find Afro Dreams Lime Lager at Fine Balance and in select stores. It’s delightfully refreshing and very drinkable! If you’re drinking age and enjoy a pint, please go get some! And tag me on Instagram and Facebook @keepupwithkingston so we can have a virtual cheers! 🙂