By Marbet Lewis, Spiritus Law | Rebecca Stamey-White, Hinman & Carmichael LLP
Just as American society at large has been confronted by recent gender, sexual orientation, and racial justice social movements, so too has the alcohol beverage industry. Like most industries, the alcohol business has been historically predominantly white and male at all levels of the three-tier industry—producers, distributors, and retailers—and largely remains that way especially at high-ranking executive levels where decision making matters most. But in recent years we have seen a wave of press about these disparities and institutional barriers to entry that still exist, in addition to attention to many reports of discrimination and harassment. While calls for greater employment and leadership opportunities for historically underrepresented groups are not new to the alcohol industry, the recent #MeToo and racial justice movements have shone a brighter light on the alcohol industry’s inequities and the general lack of awareness and understanding of systemic obstacles to diversity, equity, and inclusion. READ MORE
