Uncle Nearest pledges $50m to minority-owned brands 2nd June, 2021 by Melita Kiely American whiskey brand Uncle Nearest has launched a US$50 million fund to support minority-owned spirits brands, and create a ‘Black Wall Street’ within the industry. Fawn Weaver, CEO and founder of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey The Uncle Nearest Venture Fund launched to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the destruction of Black Wall Street, according to Fawn Weaver, founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest. The fund will also support minority-founded firms. Weaver said: “On 1 June 1921, an entire community of wealthy and successful African Americans was wiped out in a matter of hours. We are talking about 35 square blocks known as Black Wall Street.