Taste of Black Spirits is Building Black Ownership From the Bottle to the Shelf

“If we don’t care about us who will” Lazar Favors asks, placing the mission behind Taste of Black Spirits Detroit Amplify 2026 in plain language: Black ownership means more when Black communities intentionally build the relationships, distribution, knowledge, and buying power to sustain it. In this special edition of Detroit is Different, Lazar joins Khary Frazier to reflect on a journey that grew from five or six bottles on a podcast table into 500 products, 17 Taste of Black Spirits editions across five cities, and a movement connecting Black-owned brands, retailers, restaurants, and consumers. “If you own something Black you should sell something Black,” Lazar says, explaining why access matters as much as ownership. The conversation explores his growing palate, the complicated regulations governing spirits, Detroit brands, Black distribution, and why quality must drive the movement alongside cultural commitment. That work comes alive September 25 at Belle Isle Casino with the Liquid Forum from 11AM–3PM and Grand Tasting Exhibition from 4PM–8PM, featuring industry leaders, mixologists, entrepreneurs, and 200-plus spirit brands. This conversation connects yesterday’s exclusion to today’s ownership opportunities while asking what intentional Black economic ecosystems can build for tomorrow.