Today we’d like to introduce you to Eamoni Collier.
Hi Eamoni, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I got my start homebrewing in the backyard of my uncle’s house, experimenting with herbs, flowers, spices, and inspiration pulled from ancient Egyptian practices. At the same time, I’d already been working in hospitality since I was 17 — and ironically, almost every stop along the way involved beer, from distilleries to breweries.
After spending my early years at Right Proper Brewing Company, I was inspired to start developing my own recipes. Eventually, I got the opportunity to create a staff beer with the brewery that was released alongside my music release *Strawberry High*. That experience showed me that beer was about so much more than what’s in the glass — it was about culture, creativity, and the way it brings people together.
After the pandemic, I really locked in and focused on getting licensed. In 2021, I officially launched Urban Garden Brewing Company as a contract brewing and self-distribution brand in Washington, D.C. Our first limited-edition batch was brewed at Right Proper, before scaling up to our first 30-barrel commercial contract with DC Brau Brewing Company. Later, we partnered with City-State Brewing Co., which dedicated a fermenter to our beer while we continued building the brand.
As we grew, we realized we wanted more than just production space — we wanted a home. A place where we could brew on our own terms, collaborate freely, and create the kind of experiences we felt were missing in the industry. After one location opportunity fell through, the team at Right Proper reached out while transitioning from one of their spaces and asked if we’d be interested in taking over the lease. We answered the call, and the rest is history in the making.
Now, Urban Garden Brewing is building what we believe will be D.C.’s first entirely Black-owned brick-and-mortar brewery — BIPOC-led and women-led. More than a brewery, we’re creating a true third space centered around community craft beverages, culture, and connection, complete with a full kitchen, full bar, and programming designed to bring people together.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest realities of my journey has been navigating what it means to exist in this industry as a Black woman in beer. Each identity on its own comes with its own set of challenges — being a woman in beer, being Black in beer — and combined, it often felt like a double layer of having to prove I belonged in rooms where I was already standing.
There were plenty of moments where I didn’t feel fully welcomed, or where being “seen” came with the feeling of being a token or a spectacle instead of being recognized for the work itself. Those experiences were uncomfortable, but they were also clarifying. They showed me how much work still needs to be done across industries when it comes to access, representation, and real inclusion — not just visibility.
At the same time, it strengthened my resolve. It reminded me why building my own space mattered so much in the first place. I didn’t just want a seat at the table — I wanted to help build new tables, where people like me don’t have to question whether they belong.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve spent 13+ years in hospitality…and I mean that literally. I’ve worked just about all positions: host, runner, busser. Then server. Then the bartender. The manager. And now? Owner.
Every single role taught me something that I carry into Urban Garden Brewing every day. I know what it feels like to clear a table, to be on your feet for a double shift, to manage a floor with a skeleton crew, and to lead a team through a packed Friday night. That experience doesn’t just inform how I run my business…. It’s the foundation of it.
I specialize in hospitality-driven craft beverage experiences. What sets me apart is that I didn’t walk into this industry from the top… I earned every level of it. When my team comes to me with a challenge, I’ve lived it. That credibility, combined with a vision for a more inclusive craft beer culture, is what makes Urban Garden Brewing different.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
My advice is to put yourself in spaces where the people you want to learn from already are. So many of my mentors came into my life simply because I was intentional about being in rooms that aligned with my goals and aspirations.
Beyond that, don’t be afraid to ask for help. That part is huge. And just as important is the ability to truly listen, even when you think you already know the answer. Some of my greatest lessons have come from staying quiet and being open.
I have a handful of mentors I lean on for different things, and that’s intentional, too. No one person has every answer. Find people who are excellent in the areas you’re growing in, show up consistently, and be coachable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.urbangardenbrewing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urbangardenbrewing/
