Founder and CEO, JackFromBrooklyn Inc., Brooklyn, NY
Inspiration, Distilled
Jackie Summers has lived at least nine lives—and he’s just getting started. A health scare inspired him to change careers and tackle distilling in 2010, bottling a spirited version of sorrel, the 500-year-old red drink with roots throughout the African diaspora. A tumultuous decade followed, in which he won journalism awards, judged craft spirits competitions, experienced homelessness, advocated for marginalized groups, and saw his distillery destroyed by Superstorm Sandy. In 2021, with investment from the Uncle Nearest Venture Fund, Summers relaunched Sorel to rave reviews. He remains a passionate educator, speaker, writer and industry leader.
Instagram: @TheLiquortarian