Community has been at the heart of Ostrichized since day one.
Brittney Mikell, my original brewer, is opening Bubble Line Brewing Company in St. Paul in 2025; it will be Minnesota’s first Black woman-owned craft brewery. Brittney and I met in the Community Entrepreneurship Program at St. Thomas University. We both brew inclusive drinks and use beverages as a vehicle for positive change.
These connections are invaluable. Not only have I found rewarding relationships, I’ve built a community that’s centered on treating each other with dignity and respect for our differences and identities. My own experience embodying inclusive community has inspired me to build a brand and a movement that includes the whole flock!
Pride celebrations are often deeply linked with alcohol. Gay bars have long been a staple of queer gatherings. Recognizing all of this, I set out to provide alternatives that uplift our community members while not dissing our community institutions. I decided my unique perspective could help me create solutions for our community members who crave a different and better experience. In 2023, my Sober Experiences Awesome event at Pride drew in many people celebrating authenticity. In 2024, I launched the first batch of Ostrichized and sold out. In 2025 and beyond, watch this movement and community grow!
