"Lets start the meeting": Inside the moment that turned me on to whiskey
In a room with highly successful black men overlooking the city, my eyes were opened and my palette was intrigued.
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is an iconic institution in Cincinnati, Ohio. Sitting on the banks of the Ohio River, its physical location is just as meaningful as the museum and civil works that takes place inside of it, given that the “River Jordan” was a demarcation between the free states and slave states.
On a brisk and slightly cloudy Saturday afternoon in March 13 years ago, I was an ambitious 26-year-old standing in the lobby of the Freedom Center waiting to take the elevator to the top floor of the building. I’d been invited to the venue by two older gentlemen who served as mentors for me during my time in the Queen City.
Ernest, a soon-to-be CEO at the time, was on the board of directors of the Freedom Center. John, a serial investor and entrepreneur, was the president of the 100 Black Men of Greater Cincinnati. Both gentlemen had encouraged me to attend an informal monthly meeting because they believed I would be a quality and youthful addition to the organization.
In short, the mission of 100 Black Men of America and its local chapters is to improve and enhance the educational and economic opportunities for African-American youth and our communities. At the time, many of the distinguished black men in Cincinnati that I admired and looked up to were in this group. I was floored to be given an invite and in awe of how distinguished the room was.
That room was a massive conference meeting space on the fifth floor of the Freedom Center with a panoramic view of the city of Cincinnati to the north and a view of the Northern Kentucky area to the south. The conference room table was made of an elegant wood tailormade for important decision-making. The leather chairs were sleek yet plush, perfect for note or nap-taking. Built-in speakers in the ceiling played tunes by John Coltrane and Miles Davis.
Although I had relationships with some of the gentlemen in the room, I was nervous. I mean, who am I to be in the company of these dudes? I was thriving as a corporate square, although I wasn’t fulfilled in any way professionally and would soon change careers entirely. I was also a semi-accomplished writer and media professional, but only in a secondary-hustle sort of way. I was 26, I was still learning about who I was and what I was trying to be.
Ernest must’ve seen the look on my face because when he entered the room and saw that I accepted his invitation, he smiled and assured me a bit.
“I’m happy you’re here brother,” Ernest said. “Take a seat and relax.”
I followed his instructions and sat amongst a few peers — my fraternity brothers — Charles and Jeremy. One time to the bruhs, ‘06. The three of us were the “youthful additions” tapped to be a part of the next wave of The 100.
Shortly after being seated, John entered the room. Wearing a polo adorned with the logo of the company he was the president and owner of, he was ready to do business. In his hands was a portfolio with his notes and various paperwork, and a brown paper bag. A simple head nod in the direction of the men in the room put everyone in motion to settle down and bunker in.
At the head of the table, John put down his portfolio and brown paper bag on the table. He undressed the brown paper bag to reveal a bottle of Glenlivet 15 and a sleeve of plastic cups. He passed the bottle and the sleeve to his right, as apparently everyone understood the assignment.
Pour two fingers and pass it along.
As the bottle circulated the large oval table, I was stunned and amused. This is how business gets done? This is the group that raised over $100,000 in funds in a year to give back to scholarships and educational opportunities in Cincinnati? This is the group that invested in black-owned startups in the region? This is the group that hosted various forums and panels focused on entrepreneurship for women of color? This is the group that has a direct line to the mayor and various CEOs within the state?
“Two fangaz, bruh,” Charles stated, while finishing his pour.
I’d never had Glenlivet 15 before. I’d only had minimal interaction with scotch at that point, as my interaction with the spirit mostly consisted of sampling various Johnnie Walkers and occasional cocktails made with it. I’d yet to find my way around whiskey, to be frank. The bottle looked expensive, as the amber color of the scotch moved around the bottle almost like a nectar.
I followed suit like a good soldier and poured accordingly. Two fingers worth.
Agendas were passed around the table and I scanned it while taking a sip. “Damn, this is smooth,” I yelped with juvenile ignorance, generating a few chuckles around the table. “This is really good.”
The agenda focused on future mentorship opportunities at various high schools in the area along with a future black-tie ball we would host that would help us push beyond the chapter’s fundraising marks from the previous year. The scotch relaxed me and eased any tension I had while sitting in the room. I wanted to be there. I wanted to do the work. I wanted to create stronger bonds with the men in that room. I wanted more of that scotch.
John stood, lifted his glass to the sky, and the men in the room did the same.
“It’s good to see you all once again,” John said. “Thank you all for making time in your day to be here.
“Cheers gentlemen. Lets start the meeting.”