Discus creates diversity committee

The Distilled Spirits Council of the US (Discus) has established a new committee to boost diversity and inclusion in the industry.

The new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee will be chaired by Dr Atira Charles, head of diversity, inclusion and equity at Moët Hennessy North America.

Victoria Russell, chief diversity and inclusion officer at Beam Suntory, will take up the position of vice chair.

The DEI Committee will aim to ‘identify and define both immediate and long-term actions’, which will be led by Discus member companies.

Discus said the industry would continue to build more diverse, equitable, and inclusive opportunities and career paths for future spirits sector professionals.

Charles said: “The establishment of this committee is key to the future of our industry. Our industry must reflect the communities and consumers we serve, while also being innovative and strategic in the ways in which we show up within those communities.

“I look forward to bringing my years of expertise to this role, and I will lead in a collaborative way with the other committee members. We are stronger together and impacting this industry will take all hands. We must all lead with passion, purpose, commitment, and accountability to move the needle on this important work.”

Discus has previously held two DEI roundtables with its members.

Furthermore, Discus will expand inclusion and diversity education into its programme schedule, including more varied speakers on the Spirited Advocate podcast. The trade body will also create a DEI course as part of the Discus Academy curriculum.

Earlier this week, American whiskey brand Uncle Nearest launched a US$50 million fund to support minority-owned spirits brands, and create a ‘Black Wall Street’ within the industry.