Black brewers are looking to improve upon their one per cent market share in the U.S. by creating a national non-profit organization to support Black entrepreneurs in growing their businesses.

Announced at the annual Craft Brewers Conference, the National Black Brewers Association (NB2A) aims to promote Black brewing in the community at a time when the craft brewing business accounted for nearly $29 billion in beer sales last year.

“The launch of the National Black Brewers Association will create a more inclusive and vibrant beer industry by providing Black brewers access to the resources, mentorships, and networks needed to thrive,” Kevin Johnson, founder and board member of NB2A, said in a statement.

Johnson owns Oak Park Brewery in Sacramento. The brewery makes lagers, IPAs, stouts, and more.

NB2A executive director Kevin Asato, a 30-year beverage industry veteran, will take the helm of the organization.

“I am honoured to be selected as the first executive director and to build the foundation that will fuel the growth of Black-owned breweries, membership into the organization and celebrate the history and accomplishments of the Black Brewers of America,” Asato said.

Recently, The Boston Beer Company (BBC), makers of the well-known Samuel Adams beer, announced a $225,000 donation to the NB2A.

"Boston Beer Company is proud to be an inaugural supporter of the National Black Brewers Association to champion and amplify Black brewers and brewery owners who, today, represent less than one per cent of the brewing community," Jennifer Glanville Love, director of partnerships at the BBC, said in a statement. "Backed by Samuel Adams Brewing The American Dream, Boston Beer will provide the necessary funding and valuable beer and business resources to help cultivate and grow the Black brewing community."

Additional board members include:

• Marcus Baskerville, Weathered Souls Brewery, San Antonio
• Clarence Boston, Hippin' Hops Brewing, Atlanta
• Alisa Bowens-Mercado, Rhythm Brewing Co., Portsmouth, New Hampshire
• Denise Ford-Sawadogo, Montclair Brewery, Montclair, New Jersey
• Rodney Hines, Métier Brewing Company, Seattle
• Chris Harris, Black Frog Brewery, Holland, Ohio
• Aaron Hosé, director of the acclaimed documentary "One Pint at a Time," which illuminated the issues facing Black brewers and breweries
• Teo Hunter, Crowns & Hops, Inglewood, California
• Dr. J. Jackson-Beckham, principal of Crafted For All, a professional organization that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in the brewing industry
• Khris Johnson, Green Bench Brewing Company, Tampa Bay, Florida
• Garrett Oliver, Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn, New York
• Jon Renthrope, Cajun Fire Brewing Company, New Orleans
• Dennis Malcolm Byron (a.k.a. Ale Sharpton), Piano Keys, Atlanta
• Celeste Beatty, Harlem Brewing Company, New York City

“The launch of the National Black Brewers Association marks an important milestone for the beer industry,” Beatty, the first Black female brewer in the United States, said in a statement. “I am thrilled to see this organization come to life and am confident that it will serve as a valuable resource and support system for Black brewers across the country.”

Aside from the Craft Brewing Conference in Nashville, where the NB2A organized a "Bottle Share" event, the association will support curated programs at the Barrel & Flow event in Pittsburgh on Aug. 12 and the People's Jubilee Beer Fest in Sacramento on Oct. 14.