Interview with Andrea Denise Meriwether, April 22, 2021

Interview Summary

In this interview, Andrea Meriwether talks about the bourbon industry, women's roles, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). She talks about growing up in Louisville, Kentucky, her college education, and her first experience with bourbon. She talks about working at the Pendennis Club and Louisville Tourism; starting her own company, BarFare Concepts; and her work with Locust Grove and TKT and Associates. Meriwether shares her opinion about the progress of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additionally, she offers guidance and shares tips for brands to promote their own forms of inclusion. Meriwether discusses the importance of leading by example and representation of Black-owned businesses within the bourbon industry, while also touching on the history of African Americans in distillation.

Interview Keyword

Women in bourbon Bourbon whiskey BarFare Concepts TKT & Associates Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Locust Grove Farm Distilled Residency Louisville Tourism Unfiltered Truth Black women African Americans Pendennis Club Spirits historians COVID-19 impact on hospitality industry Black Travel Advisory Panel Living Room Series From the Hearth Kitchen

Interview LC Subject

Careers Louisville (Ky.) Occupations Professions Vocation Work Alcohol industry Bourbon whiskey Distilleries--Kentucky Whiskey industry--Kentucky Women in the whiskey industry African Americans--Employment African Americans in the whiskey industry African American business enterprises African American families Businesspeople Family-owned business enterprises

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.