July 26th 2023.
This year, Alabama A&M University is proud to announce that alumna Eboni Major will be their Freshman Convocation Torch Lighting speaker. Major graduated from the university in 2015 and has since achieved great success. She broke barriers as one of the first Black women to become a whiskey blender, and has established herself as a master craftswoman.
Equipped with a degree in Food Science and Chemistry, Major found work with Bulleit Bourbon. She left her mark on the Kentucky-based distillery, creating the Bulleit Blenders Select, a limited edition reinvention of the bourbon classic. However, before she left in 2022, Major filed a lawsuit against her former employer’s parent company Diageo, alleging unlawful discrimination, disparate treatment, and retaliation based on race.
Now, Major is succeeding at her new business, Major Spirits, where she is committed to ensuring diversity and inclusivity. She has even helped aspiring Black whiskey blenders. In December 2022, she spoke to Imbibe Magazine about her passion for paving the way for young women. “Making sure that I bring those women along my journey to build Major Spirits is probably the most important thing to me. Not to say, ‘OK, in three years I’ll come back and I’ll help you out.’ No—I have to take the time now,” said the Alabama native.
Major has since launched her Dread River Master Series, which combines Kentucky-sourced bourbon from October 2017 and January 2019 at 100 proof. She’s earned several San Francisco Spirits Awards and has worked with major U.S. whiskey distributors such as George Dickel, IW Harper, Blade & Bow, and more.
The 2023 Freshman Convocation Torch Lighting will occur at the Event Center on Aug. 12 at 4:00 p.m. It will surely be an inspiring event as Major shares her story of hard work and determination. Her success is a testament to the value of diversity and inclusivity, and an example to all aspiring individuals.
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