Oak View Group Adds LA-Based Crowns & Hops To Its Supplier Diversity Program to Elevate Business Opportunities For The Fast-Growing Black-Owned Brewing Company
As part of its on-going commitment to economic inclusivity, Oak View Group (OVG), the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions, today announced the addition of Crowns & Hops, the prominent Inglewood-based, Black-owned brewing company, to its companywide supplier diversity program. The partnership is designed to assist Crowns & Hops in showcasing its beverages at select OVG properties.
As the official food and beverage provider of the LA County Fair, OVG Hospitality will host students from Cal-Poly Pomona in a Chef Cook-Off to create innovative dishes paired with Crowns & Hops’ signature brew, 8 Trill Pils, at the Fair on Sunday, May 12 at 11 a.m. OVG Hospitality’s Chef Juan Hurtado and General Manager Bill Cheek, both of Acrisure Arena, and Crowns & Hops’ CEO & Co-Founder Beny Ashburn will serve as judges. The winner will earn an internship opportunity with OVG Hospitality’s Executive Chef David Harvie at Acrisure Arena’s kitchen in Greater Palm Springs, CA, and a custom chef coat, apron, and hat.
The OVG Supplier Diversity Program aims to foster economic inclusivity by making OVG’s supply chain more diverse by encouraging the participation of vendors historically overlooked while ensuring a positive impact is made in the communities where OVG operates. The program champions community empowerment by providing opportunities for underrepresented business to thrive and contribute to local economies.
“I often ask who isn’t at our table that needs to be here, and how do we help them be successful? Through the OVG Supplier Diversity Program, Crowns & Hops, a fantastic Black-owned brewery, is on a clear path to opportunities within our company and a broader audience,” said Dr. Debonair Oates-Primus, OVG’s vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion. “Our partnership is a significant step to a more diverse and equitable supply chain, and we’re thrilled to embark on this journey together. Expanding their products across multiple OVG Hospitality venues provides our guests a unique and exciting experience.”
“Partnering with OVG Hospitality & The LA County Fair for the chef cook-off is an exciting opportunity to celebrate community, creativity and culinary excellence. I’m honored to be a part of an initiative that not only supports local businesses like Crowns & Hops, but also nurtures the next generation of culinary talent,” said Ashburn. “This year marks the first collaboration between LA County Fair and Crowns & Hops, and I’m proud to see their commitment to supporting local businesses and diversity reflected in my role as a judge.”
ABOUT OAK VIEW GROUP (OVG)
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster of arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
ABOUT CROWNS & HOPS BREWING CO.
Crowns & Hops Brewing Co. is the Inglewood based beer brand that ignited a global movement after forming in 2016, paving the way for more Black and Brown faces to enter the beer community, from consumers to entrepreneurs. Black-owned, woman-owned and veteran-owned, Crowns & Hops disrupted the traditional model in the craft beer industry by building a brand that extends beyond beer, garnering attention from the leading national consumer lifestyle media outlets. Using their world class, award winning beer as a vehicle for preserving culture, expanding the palate and building community, founders Beny Ashburn and Teo Hunter have established Crowns & Hops as a leader in the craft beer industry In 2020, Crowns & Hops launched the 8 Trill Initiative, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting the business development, growth, and sustainability of Black entrepreneurs in and around the craft beer ecosystem. With a focus on achieving racial equity and attaining true representation of the Black community in craft beer, their mission is to achieve 13% Black ownership among breweries in the United States. Crowns & Hops products are available in CA and via online retailers craftshack.com, gopuff.com and getstocked.com. Learn more at crownsandhops.com and stay connected via Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok.
ABOUT LA COUNTY FAIR
The LA County Fair began in 1922 on 43 acres of a beet and barley field. Now 500 acres strong, the Fair is one of the top destinations in Southern California during its run. In 2022, it moved its dates from September to May. The Fair sees more than 750,000 guests annually.