Jamal Robinson oversees all sales and marketing at New England Brewing Co. and is the founder and chair of NEBCO’s D.I.E. Committee.
Robinson spearheaded the creation of two African-American Brewers Scholarships and is the founder and president of the Change in the Air Foundation, a nonprofit focused on diversifying the beer industry.
He’s the co-founder of the Change in the Air Festival and newest board member of the New Haven Green Fund.
What’s been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career?
A big accomplishment was being promoted to director of sales and marketing for one of the best and largest breweries in Connecticut. Along with establishing two African-American brewers’ scholarships to help diversify and better the industry, I have spent 18 years as one of the first and few African-Americans in it.
How are you involved in the community?
I help in any way I can in partnership with Devin Avshalom – Smith, alder of Ward 20 and founder of Newhallville Community Action Network to evolve the neighborhood and Starr Street garden.
I’ve also joined the board of New Haven Green Fund, providing grants for sustainable efforts in New Haven County.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I’m an avid home gardener with aspirations of becoming a master gardener and currently in the middle of building a self-sustainable urban homestead in New Haven. Its currently equipped with gardens, chickens and compost with plans of adding water retention, solar and bee keeping.
Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty?
• Youngest and first African-American to become a regional sales manager for a craft brewery in New England.
• Became a brand manager at an Anheuser-Busch wholesaler before I was legally allowed to drink alcohol.
• Established two African-American Brewers Scholarships (one endowed, one annual) and led a team to raise $100,000 toward it in two years.
• Progressed from a 20-year-old brand manager to director of sales and marketing for NEBCo without having a college degree.
Fun Fact
I’m a self-proclaimed amateur chef and make the best jerk chicken you’ve ever had.
Theme Song
If you had a theme song, what would it be?
“Toast” — Koffee
Bucket List
What are two things that you would like to achieve before you turn 40?
I would like to raise a total of $250,000 for the CT Brewers Guild African American Brewers Endowed Scholarship. Personally, I want to become a master gardener.
Click here to return to HBJ’s 2022 40 Under Forty Award Honorees