An author by the name of Kasey Brown made a public appeal on Facebook about African Americans’ blind support of Black brands without ever holding them accountable for subpar treatment of its supporters. The supporter—turned detractor claims she once had a disheartening encounter with Uncle Nearest CEO Fawn Weaver, where she was taken back by Weaver’s demeanor after driving four hours to a book signing.
Brown laid bare her disappointment with Weaver as the wildly popular Uncle Nearest brand faces scrutiny.
Brown describes their meeting as a “cold, dismissive” encounter. According to the lengthy Facebook post, Brown showed up to the book signing event, bearing gifts for the Weaver, but was rebuffed when Weaver brushed of the kind gesture, responding: “I don’t have space for that.”
Brown’s accusation comes after a Tennessee federal court ruled that Uncle Nearest will be turned over to a court-appointed receivership. Farm Credit Mid-America, the company’s primary lender filed a lawsuit after the spirits company defaulted on a $108 million loan, inflated its barrel inventory and overstated its reserves by $21 million.
Weaver recently responded to rumors that she no longer owns Uncle Nearest:
In an Instagram post, Weaver made clear that despite the receivership she is still the owner of Uncle Nearest.
“Let me be clear. I built this company. I own this company, I run this company, and my leadership team—who have all been with me for six to eight years— are right here, building alongside me,” Weaver wrote.
“Our team remains unshaken and unmoved. If that ever changes, you’ll hear it directly from me, and I know you will respond accordingly. All major challenges are inevitable in ownership; that’s why so many tap out. And my number one piece of advice to would be entrepreneurs is, if you are of the quitting kind, don’t start, because entrepreneurialism will give you 100 reasons a day to quit. But strong leadership doesn’t panic. It keeps a steady, handy hand and moves forward.”
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Weaver’s pointed message to the public is “Calm down, this isn’t a big deal. These things happen all the time.”
Yet, Brown insists the news of court-appointed receivership is indeed “a big deal,” stating, “Lets be clear: Court-appointed receivership is rare… This isn’t normal business—it’s a last resort.”
Brown claims the Uncle Nearest CEO is downplaying the situation and correlates those actions with Weaver’s disposition toward her when when she says the two met.
Brown also recounted another instance wherein a comment she made on social media was perceived to negative by Weaver. Brown claims Weaver jumped in her DMs with “mean energy—nothing like the Jesus-loving persona she projects.”
Brown maintains that her callout is not to disparage Weaver but went on to express her dissolution in Black leaders and what she claims is a lack of accountability. The author wants to see Black entrepreneurs in high places own up to their mistakes. She believes acknowledging failure is just as important as celebrating success.
Despite Brown’s assessment, many on social media see things differently with some citing conspiracy as a reason for Fawn Weaver and Uncle Nearest’s current situation.
@EbonyPrince2k24 wrote on X: “Let’s use our spending power to help Uncle Nearest overcome this clear act of SABOTAGE!”
Another X user, @eljay25thleo, referenced The Real Housewives of Atlanta stating, “This Uncle Nearest lawsuit is a scheme that Todd setup.”
Brown believes these types of takes serve little use in correcting the misguided behaviors of Black corporations.
Support for Uncle Nearest, named for the first known Black master-distiller in the U.S., is strong. Weaver has started the hashtag #cleartheshelves to help promote the brand across the country. Though the company will be handed over to its receiver soon, Weaver is not letting go without a fight or visibility.
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