OUR TEAM
SAMARA B. DAVIS
With over 4 years of Diversity and Inclusion advocacy plus 15 years of event planning experience, Samara knows exactly what it takes to create unique one of a kind experiences for diverse audiences. Her work leaves your palate and your conscience wanting more, with a greater appreciation for bourbon and passion for inclusion, within the spirits industry!
Ever the advocate for all things balanced, Samara founded Black Bourbon Society in 2016 upon realizing that there was a lack of diversity towards people of color within the bourbon community. Through her work with Black Bourbon Society, she has partnered with and featured several brands including Woodford Reserve, Maker’s Mark and Four Roses. Samara has coordinated exclusive events, curated dinner pairings and private whiskey tastings in markets such as Atlanta, LA, and Chicago. She also organizes exclusive trips to Kentucky and hosts an annual bourbon conference, Bourbon Boule, every year in New Orleans for her 20k+ Black Bourbon Society members and followers.
Named one of Wine Enthusiasts Top 40 Under 40 and featured in The New York Times, Forbes, Black Enterprise and more; Samara often shares her expertise as an Executive Bourbon Steward -hosting tasting seminars, judging spirits competitions and much more. As a Diversity and Inclusion consultant, she works with executives and entrepreneurs to understand and strengthen their relationship with consumers of color, and to develop and refine their brand's marketing strategy. In addition to her work with Black Bourbon Society, Samara is also the Founding Executive Director of DiversityDistilled, a nonprofit consulting firm that works with brands in the spirits industry to identify and address their diversity and inclusion needs within the workforce. She speaks to organizations and has spoken on several panels on issues regarding race and DE&I in the spirits industry.
Although she has accomplished much in her career, Samara's favorite role is simply being 'mommy' to her two children, Alva & Rex. She is married to her business partner and Bonded In Bourbon co-host, Armond Davis. With a true love for the inclusive culture that bourbon naturally brings, Samara is taking the industry by storm and inspiring much needed change within it, one glass at a time.
ARMOND DAVIS
Armond Davis is a co-founder of Diversity Distilled. He also serves as the COO of Black Bourbon Society. Armond has over 15 years of entrepreneurial experience across a variety of industries, including the spirits industry, health care, construction, and investments. At Diversity Distilled, he oversees the organization’s talent recruitment consultancy and research platforms.
The talent recruitment consultancy was created to help companies gain access to a dynamic and diverse group of talented individuals who can help them to grow in all areas, ranging from sales and marketing, to finance, to human resources. It also works with potential candidates on professional development and career advisory services. The research platform works to compile and interpret valuable data for companies regarding consumer behavior, brand awareness, and development of marketing strategies.
Armond believes that diversity is the cornerstone of any successful endeavor. He is committed to providing opportunities for talented people to participate in businesses in ways that weren’t available to them previously. Through Diversity Distilled, he hopes that true diversity can be achieved in the spirits industry at all levels.
AARON KENDEALL
Aaron Kendeall’s combined multimedia and distilling experience gives him a unique insight into the beverage industry.
He began his career in journalism before joining the drinks industry in 2013. As a public relations and marketing expert, he has worked on marketing, sales and education strategies for beverage industry clients of all sizes — from international spirits producers, to regional wine and beer distributors, to boutique wine and spirits specialty shops, to startup brands. He was integral in the launch of an own-brand wine and beer category concept for a national grocery chain — and earned over 225 category awards in the process. His passion for distilled spirits led him to a regional Craft Whiskey distillery in his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pa., where he worked for two years as an active Distiller and Brand Ambassador.
Throughout his career he has championed equity and inclusion, working closely with leadership and human resource teams at each organization to advance diversity and inclusion objectives.