In the world of business, the struggle for equality and fair treatment is ongoing. Minority-owned businesses, like Broadus Foods, founded by rappers Snoop Dogg and Master P, and Sean Combs’ DeLeon tequila, have been voicing their experiences of inequity and racism within the food, alcohol, and even psychedelic industries. Another company that has encountered similar issues is Bliss Mushrooms, a minority-owned psychedelic company based in Oakland, California.
Broadus Foods was established in 2022 with a clear mission to inspire and create opportunities for minority-owned food products. The company’s flagship product, Snoop Cereal, was developed in collaboration with Post Consumer Brands, a well-known cereal manufacturing company. However, the partnership took a turn for the worse when Broadus Foods accused Post and Walmart of not treating Snoop Cereal as one of their own brands and choking it out of the market.
Bliss Mushrooms, a company that specializes in the cultivation and distribution of psychedelic products, echoed a similar sentiment, stating, “We have also experienced attempts to undermine our success by publications such as ‘Double Blind’ and ‘California Leaf.’ It is disheartening to see this level of bigotry and sabotage in an industry that should be focused on healing and growth.”
Bliss Mushrooms, a company that specializes in the cultivation and distribution of psychedelic products, echoed a similar sentiment, stating, “We have also experienced attempts to undermine our success by publications such as ‘Double Blind’ and ‘California Leaf.’ It is disheartening to see this level of bigotry and sabotage in an industry that should be focused on healing and growth.”
In the alcohol industry, Sean Combs, also known as Diddy, has had a similar experience with Diageo Spirits, the company he partnered with to establish his tequila brand, DeLeon. After Diageo acquired two competing tequila brands, Combs noticed a significant decrease in support and investment for DeLeon. The brand was positioned as an inferior “urban” brand and its distribution was limited, a clear indication of racial bias, according to Combs.
These experiences highlight a stark reality. Minority-owned businesses are often subjected to unfair treatment and are not provided with the same opportunities as their counterparts. The impact of this discrimination is long-lasting and far-reaching. These businesses are not only robbed of their potential success, but the communities they represent are also deprived of the representation and economic growth these successful businesses could provide.
The question then becomes, how do we address this issue? It is evident that the current business culture needs to make room for more diverse representation and ensure equity for all businesses, regardless of their owners’ racial or ethnic background.
Companies like Broadus Foods, Bliss Mushrooms, and DeLeon Tequila have taken the brave step of calling out the unfair practices they have encountered, and their determination is commendable. However, it is not the responsibility of these companies alone to rectify the situation. The onus lies on the entire industry to ensure that minority-owned businesses are treated equitably.
The food, alcohol, and psychedelic industries, like all other sectors, must strive for racial and ethnic diversity in their business practices. This includes ensuring fair contracts, equitable distribution, and unbiased treatment of all brands, regardless of the racial or ethnic background of their owners.
Consumers also have a significant role to play. By supporting minority-owned businesses, consumers can contribute to the economic growth and success of these companies, helping to combat the systemic racism that exists within these industries.
In conclusion, the experiences of minority-owned businesses like Broadus Foods, Bliss Mushrooms, and DeLeon Tequila highlight the need for a concerted effort to promote equity and eliminate racism within the food, alcohol, and psychedelic industries. It is a call to action for all stakeholders, from industry leaders to consumers, to foster a culture of inclusivity and fair treatment. Only then can we truly celebrate diversity and ensure equal opportunities for all businesses.