Winning the Emerging Small Business Award is validation that Vine Street Brewing Co. — Missouri’s first Black-owned brewery — is tapped into what the community wants and needs, two of its owners said Tuesday.
“It signifies we’re moving along with purpose and that we can really lean into our goals,” explained Annie McGinnis, co-owner and director of business development for the business, shortly after earning the honor at the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Awards Luncheon.
“The next few years will be even brighter because we have this little nugget to just keep it going for us,” she continued.
The emerging business award recognizes a company that is less than three years old but already has demonstrated remarkable entrepreneurial spirit along with leadership, resilience, innovation, and determination, according to the KC Chamber.
Kemet Coleman — flanked by Annie McGinnis, Elliott Ivory, Woodie Bonds Jr., and KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas — at the grand opening of Vine Street Brewing’s brewery near the 18th and Vine jazz district in June 2023; photo courtesy of Trozzolo
“It’s a very humbling experience that we’ve been recognized for this award, being not even 2 years old yet,” said Elliott Ivory, co-owner and head brewer at Vine Street Brewing, expressing pride in the early impact the business already has achieved in the beer community, in Kansas City, and specifically in the Black community.
Annie McGinnis, Elliott Ivory, Woodie Bonds Jr., and Kemet Coleman, Vine Street Brewing; photo by BJ Sampson, Sensei Brands
Vine Street Brewing — which focuses on brewing ales and lagers fermented in the spirit of jazz and hip-hop and was one of Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2024 — is shaping what’s next for Kansas City, noted Jannae Gammage, founder and CEO of Cyphr, the previous Emerging Small Business Award winner.
“This standout business is rooted in the heart of Kansas City’s 18th and Vine District,” she explained, before presenting the 2025 honor. “With every pour, they’re honoring the past, building community, celebrating the cultural richness that defines our city, using craft beer as a platform for connection and pride.”
The award was one of five speciality honors presented Tuesday alongside the coveted Small Business of the Year or “Mr. K Award”.
Click here to learn more about the other award winners.
Grace Ahn, NvisionKC, presents the 2024 Emerging Small Business of the Year Award to Alaia Martin and Jannae Gammage, Cyphr, at the KC Chamber’s Small Business Celebration in June; photo by Startland News
Gammage knows first-hand how meaningful the emerging small business award is for a new venture finding its footing, she said.
“In that moment, it just reminded us that our hard work, our vision, our perseverance were being seen,” she said of her own time on stage in 2024. “So to the emerging businesses in the room today: keep pushing forward. Stay passionate, stay focused, and most of all, do not give up. The road of entrepreneurship isn’t really easy, but it’s always worth it. And your work matters — as you can see — to this community.”
With peer and community assurances that Vine Street Brewing is moving in the right direction, Ivory said, the team plans to continue to do what they do best: make quality beer and pour into the 18th and Vine District.
“We’re looking to make sure that we’re just making very good beer that can help build community,” he added.
They also want to make sure that their space isn’t just a hub for drinking beer, McGinnis noted, but a place for the community to gather and showcase their talents.
“We’re trying to also utilize the space that we have to help the community for their needs and wants, as well,” she explained. “I think we’ve been able to find this cool balance where we can utilize who we are and the space that we have for — not only just beer — but also that aspect.”
