Gone are the days when men were the faces of the spirits industry. In the olden days, our ancestors would have beer parties for the men in the villages to foster a sense of community solidarity. Alcoholic beverages continue to serve as a sign of hospitality and friendship for the masses. But there's something special about a spirit that was created by a black woman — you know that the ingredients include magic, love, and resilience.
If you didn't know, black women are making waves in spirit, and it's time we celebrate them. Ahead, find four of the countless black women we are rooting for in the spirit industry, serving us black girl magic one shot at a time.
Nayana Ferguson of Anteel Tequila
Photo Courtesy of Nayana Ferguson
Nayana Ferguson is what happens when your passion aligns with your purpose. Tequila is personal for this businesswoman as a pancreatic cancer and breast cancer survivor. Her journey made her very intentional about what she put into her body. Nayana taught us that because tequila is a spirit that is made from the agave plant, it is naturally gluten-free and it is low in carbs, sugar and calories. Nayana has truly leaned into her purpose with her desire to educate people on the benefits of tequila and change the stereotypical thought of what tequila is.
Why she chose the spirit industry:
"I did not plan to get into the spirits industry at all. It all began as a conversation where I asked my husband while we were talking about investing and retirement, 'If you could do anything in the world, what would you do?' At the time, we both had a love for tequila and his reply was to own a tequila company, but he thought it would not be possible. I asked him, 'Why not?' I began researching distilleries in Mexico that we could work with and two days later, I found a distillery that could create our own brand.
"As we both had a passion for tequila and wanted to break the stereotypes surrounding tequila, (i.e. everyone has a bad tequila story), we wanted to start educating the consumer on what a premium spirit tequila truly is, so we decided to start our brand and do it our own way. By doing so, we have created the world's only Coconut Lime Blanco Tequila, a Reposado Tequila that is aged eight months in Tennessee whiskey barrels and a Blanco Tequila, whereas, all are now award-winning."
"You have to be fearless when entering the spirits industry, as there are so many brands that are on the market. You have to have confidence in your vision and what you create for the world."
What it means to be a black woman in the spirits industry:
"I love the fact that I am one of the very few black women in the spirits industry who owns a spirits company and that I am possibly the only black woman who owns a tequila company in the world. I look at it as we are trailblazers in an industry that is male-dominated and that we can create brands that speak to our ingenuity and vision. Being in the spirits industry is challenging, especially for someone like me who had no prior experience. However, I hope that my story is inspiring to black women to show that even if you do not have any experience within an industry that you are passionate about, you can learn and create something magnificent!"
Advice for women aspiring to jump into the spirits game:
"My advice to any woman who wants to jump into the spirits game is to do your research and jump in! You will not know everything, but do not let that stop you from moving forward, as you will learn along the way. If possible, find someone who you may be able to talk to about some of the ins and outs of the spirits industry. Otherwise, you have to be fearless when entering the spirits industry, as there are so many brands that are on the market. You have to have confidence in your vision and what you create for the world."
Samara Rivers of Black Bourbon Society
Photo Courtesy of Samara Rivers
Samara Rivers started the Black Bourbon Society when she noticed a lack of marketing geared towards POC in the spirits industry. The self-proclaimed 'Chief Bourbon Enthusiast' created the Black Bourbon Society (BBS) to galvanize upscale African-American professionals nationwide who had a taste for the finer things in life, but were virtually untapped by the emerging trend of indulging in premium spirits. "Through exclusive events, curated dinner pairings and private whiskey tastings in markets such as ATL, LA, and Chicago, BBS encourages its members to enjoy good bourbon, network with like-minded bourbon lovers and gain a deeper appreciation for America's Native Spirit," she explained in a 2019 interview with Will Drink for Travel.
BBS has over 10,000 members and they've partnered with and featured several brands including Wild Turkey, Maker's Mark and Four Roses. As a certified Executive Bourbon Steward and a co-host to a weekly podcast, Rivers dedication to visibility and diversity is definitely felt.
Why she chose the spirit industry:
"I'm not sure if I chose this industry, or [if] by luck the industry chose me. I knew that I wanted to make a difference in our world around the notion of diversity and inclusion, but never did I think it would take me on this particular journey. The spirits industry is one the most fun and genuine industries around. The moment I started BBS, I felt like I was a part of a family."
What it means to be a black woman in the spirit industry:
"Being a black woman in the spirits industry definitely can be challenging at times, but it also means that everyone notices your presence. I have gotten used to being 'the only' in the room knowing that I represent an entire demographic of tens of thousands."
Advice for women aspiring to jump in the spirit game:
"Like Nike says, 'Just do it!' If you don't have a seat at the table, be prepared to bring your own chair. But overall, you'll see that there are plenty of opportunities to be seized in this industry. You just have to be bold enough to want it!"
Joy Spence of Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum
Joy Spence
If you Google Joy Spence, you'll quickly see that she is the first woman to hold the position of Master Blender in the spirits industry globally. Her love for chemistry led her to become one of the most renown pioneers in the world. Over the course of her decades-spanning career, Spence has been at the helm of creating some of the finest rums the world has to offer, including but not limited to the Appleton Estate Rare Blend 12 Year Old. "I think I am one of the fortunate few who are able to use science and technology to create spirit – both literally and figuratively - in the world," Spence shared during a 2018 awards ceremony. "At Appleton, we have been able to blend rich Jamaican rum, making heritage with cutting edge technology to create some of the finest brands in the world. I will continue to spread the joy of rum globally and, by extension, promote Brand Jamaica."
Why she chose the spirit industry:
"I was lecturing in chemistry and decided that I wanted to gain experience in manufacturing and joined Tia Maria as their Research Chemist. After two years, I became very bored and joined J. Wray andNephew (owner of Appleton Estate) as the Chief Chemist. This is the moment that I fell in love with rum. I discovered that it had the most complex and beautiful flavors with exceptional versatility. I was tutored by the previous Master Blender for 17 years as he recognized that I had excellent sensory skills and creativity and would one day become a great Blender. In 1997, I was appointed the Master Blender and became the first female in the spirit industry."
What it means to be a black woman in the spirit industry:
"It was a true honor as a black woman to become the first Female Master Blender in the Spirits Industry. I was able to open doors for other women in the industry. We were always working in the background and now we are finally receiving recognition. It is a true testament that with hard work and passion you can achieve the impossible."
Advice for women aspiring to jump in the spirit game:
"My advice to women aspiring to jump in the spirit game is to embrace the challenge, focus on you craft, exude passion, be creative, become a sponge for knowledge, and the sky is the limit."
Chanel Turner of FOU-DRÉ
Photo Courtesy of Chanel Turner
From Pentagon Web Developer to the first African-American woman to head a vodka company, Chanel Turner is no stranger to hard work. She was not happy with the underwhelming taste of vodka so, like black women do, she pulled up to make her own. Testing over 80 formulas, this CEO was determined to create a spirit that didn't need to be paired with something else. Chanel invested all of her savings to create Fou-Dre, which is in more than 30 liquor stores in the DC area, as well as in several other states and overseas in Singapore.
Why she chose the spirit industry:
"I choose the spirit industry because I saw an opportunity for Black female ownership in an industry that was void of people who looked like me. It's also recession-proof, so that helps. With my background in IT, I wanted to find a more innovative way to create spirits. I partnered with a distillery who utilizes a technology that removes harsh cogeners and free radicals during the distillation process, creating a healthier, cleaner way to drink spirit beverages."
"I choose the spirit industry because I saw an opportunity for Black female ownership in an industry that was void of people who looked like me. It's also recession-proof, so that helps. With my background in IT, I wanted to find a more innovative way to create spirits."
What it means to be a Black woman in the spirit industry:
"It means double the work as my white counterparts. African-Americans in this industry aren't afforded the same resources as white constituents, such as distribution outlets, financial assistance, and retail opportunities. It means diversity in a space that historically is limited to people of color. Overall, it means fighting for your voice to be heard and paving the way for others to come later down the line."
Advice for women trying to jump into the Spirit game:
"I would recommend that one finds a support network and make strategic alliances because you cannot do this in silo. When I first entered this industry, I found myself alone looking for support and mentorship. Unable to find such resources, I ended up mentoring myself. Because women are the minority in this industry, we have to find ways to come together."
Featured image courtesy of Samara Rivers of Black Bourbon Society
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So, we handpicked one hundred It Girls who embody that palpable It Factor moving through us as young Black women, the kind of motion lighting up the world both IRL and across the internet.
It Girl 100 became xoNecole’s most successful program, with the hashtag organically reaching more than forty million impressions on Instagram in just twenty-four hours. Yes, it caught on like wildfire because we celebrated some of the most brilliant and influential GenZennial women of color setting trends and shaping culture. But more than that, it resonated because the women we celebrated felt seen.
Many were already known in their industries for keeping this generation fly and lit, but rarely received recognition or flowers. It Girl 100 became a safe space to be uplifted, and for us as Black women to bask in what felt like an era of our brilliance, beauty, and boundless influence on full display.
And then, almost overnight, it was as if the rug was pulled from under us as Black women, as the It Girls of the world.
Our much-needed, much-deserved season of ease and soft living quickly metamorphosed into a time of self-preservation and survival. Our motion and economic progression seemed strategically slowed, our light under siege.
The air feels heavier now. The headlines colder. Our Black girl magic is being picked apart and politicized for simply existing.
With that climate shift, as we prepare to launch our second annual It Girl 100 honoree list, our team has had to dig deep on the purpose and intention behind this year’s list. Knowing the spirit of It Girl 100 is about motion, sauce, strides, and progression, how do we celebrate amid uncertainty and collective grief when the juice feels like it is being squeezed out of us?
As we wrestled with that question, we were reminded that this tension isn’t new. Black women have always had to find joy in the midst of struggle, to create light even in the darkest corners. We have carried the weight of scrutiny for generations, expected to be strong, to serve, to smile through the sting. But this moment feels different. It feels deeply personal.
We are living at the intersection of liberation and backlash. We are learning to take off our capes, to say no when we are tired, to embrace softness without apology.
And somehow, the world has found new ways to punish us for it.
In lifestyle, women like Kayla Nicole and Ayesha Curry have been ridiculed for daring to choose themselves. Tracee Ellis Ross was labeled bitter for speaking her truth about love. Meghan Markle, still, cannot breathe without critique.
In politics, Kamala Harris, Letitia James, and Jasmine Crockett are dragged through the mud for standing tall in rooms not built for them.
In sports, Angel Reese, Coco Gauff, and Taylor Townsend have been reminded that even excellence will not shield you from racism or judgment.
In business, visionaries like Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye and Melissa Butler are fighting to keep their dreams alive in an economy that too often forgets us first.
Even our icons, Beyoncé, Serena, and SZA, have faced criticism simply for evolving beyond the boxes society tried to keep them in.
From everyday women to cultural phenoms, the pattern is the same. Our light is being tested.
And yet, somehow, through it all, we are still showing up as that girl, and that deserves to be celebrated.
Because while the world debates our worth, we keep raising our value. And that proof is all around us.
This year alone, Naomi Osaka returned from motherhood and mental health challenges to reach the semifinals of the US Open. A’ja Wilson claimed another MVP, reminding us that beauty and dominance can coexist. Brandy and Monica are snatching our edges on tour. Kahlana Barfield Brown sold out her new line in the face of a retailer that had been canceled. And Melissa Butler’s company, The Lip Bar, is projecting a forty percent surge in sales.
We are no longer defining strength by how much pain we can endure. We are defining it by the unbreakable light we continue to radiate.
We are the women walking our daily steps and also continuing to run solid businesses. We are growing in love, taking solo trips, laughing until it hurts, raising babies and ideas, drinking our green juice, and praying our peace back into existence.
We are rediscovering the joy of rest and realizing that softness is not weakness, it is strategy.
And through it all, we continue to lift one another. Emma Grede is creating seats at the table. Valeisha Butterfield has started a fund for jobless Black women. Arian Simone is leading in media with fearless conviction. We are pouring into each other in ways the world rarely sees but always feels.
So yes, we are in the midst of societal warfare. Yes, we are being tested. Yes, we are facing economic strain, political targeting, and public scrutiny. But even war cannot dim a light that is divinely ours.
And we are still shining.
And we are still softening.
And we are still creating.
And we are still It.
That is the quiet magic of Black womanhood, our ability to hold both truth and triumph in the same breath, to say yes, and to life’s contradictions.
It is no coincidence that this year, as SheaMoisture embraces the message “Yes, And,” they stand beside us as partners in celebrating this class of It Girls. Because that phrase, those two simple words, capture the very essence of this moment.
Yes, we are tired. And we are still rising.
Yes, we are questioned. And we are the answer.
Yes, we are bruised. And we are still beautiful.
This year’s It Girl 100 is more than a list. It is a love letter to every Black woman who dares to live out loud in a world that would rather she whisper. This year’s class is living proof of “Yes, And,” women who are finding ways to thrive and to heal, to build and to rest, to lead and to love, all at once.
It is proof that our joy is not naive, our success not accidental. It is the reminder that our light has never needed permission.
So without further ado, we celebrate the It Girl 100 Class of 2025–2026.
We celebrate the millions of us who keep doing it with grace, grit, and glory.
Because despite it all, we still shine.
Because we are still her.
Because we are still IT, girl.
Meet all 100 women shaping culture in the It Girl 100 Class of 2025. View the complete list of honorees here.
Featured image by xoStaff
"They asked for body products and we wanted to make sure we listened. But also layering fragrance begins with the body routine." The body wash is $33, and the body lotion is $35. Keep reading below to hear more about Tabitha and Chance's new collection, their body rituals, and what makes their partnership successful.
Fridays with Tab and Chance body collection
Marcus Owens
xoNecole: How did you come up with the scents for the collection?
Tabitha Brown: We love warm scents that make you feel sexy and loved. [We’re] both fans of gourmand [scents], including bergamot, vanilla, tonka and chocolate.
xoN: If you could describe your working relationship in one word, what would it be and why?
Tabitha: It's our first time building a product line together and our first time working with fragrance. So having patience with the process and each other has been the best way to build.
xoN: What is your body care ritual?
Tabitha: Exfoliate with a scrub a few times a week, but using a moisturizing body wash daily. After a shower, I spray a body mist that compliments what scent I am choosing for the day. Most times vanilla mist wins because it’s a perfect base for layering. I then hydrate [my] skin with lotion. Then, once dressed, I layer my favorite fragrance, Her Business, first and then His Business on top.
Chance: [I’m] way more simple. Just body wash and lotion and then my cologne and I’m good to go.
xoN: We enjoy watching you two together online, whose idea was it to start 'Fridays with Tab & Chance'?
Tabitha: It actually happened by accident. Back in 2018, my fans had just been asking about how we met, so we did a video answering questions one Friday and people in the comments [asked], will y’all do it again next Friday? And so we did and the next thing you know Fridays with Tab & Chance was born.
xoN: In what other ways do you plan to expand Fridays? Restart the podcast? TV show?
Tabitha: We are working on a lifestyle content show vs the traditional Fridays podcast. More to come soon.
xoN: You do many things together, but what would you say is your favorite quality time activity and why?
Tabitha: We are really simple. We love watching movies or TV series together on the couch or in bed. It’s really one of our favorite things to do together.
xoN: What is your favorite thing about the other person?
Tabitha: I love that he makes me feel safe and how hard he works to be an amazing father.
Chance: I love that she is crazy enough to pursue her wildest dreams.
xoN: What is the key to a successful partnership in business and personal?
Tabitha: The key is knowing that you both are going to change, and giving each other grace, patience, and understanding during those changes.
See more on tabandchance.com.
Feature image Marcus Owens