GRAMBLING, LA — Grambling State University has announced that Fawn Weaver, the visionary founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, will serve as the keynote speaker for the Spring 2026 Commencement ceremony.
The ceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 15, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
Weaver’s selection brings one of the most successful contemporary business leaders to the historic campus. As the head of Uncle Nearest, Inc., Weaver holds the distinction of being one of only five African American women in U.S. history to found and lead a company with a valuation exceeding $1 billion. Under her leadership, Uncle Nearest has become the fastest-growing whiskey brand in American history.
“We are honored to welcome Fawn Weaver to our campus during this milestone moment for our graduates,” university officials stated. “Her journey from a high school dropout to a global business mogul embodies the spirit of resilience and excellence that we instill in our students.”
Beyond her corporate success, Weaver is a New York Times best-selling author and a dedicated philanthropist. She is widely credited with bringing the story of Nathan “Nearest” Green—the enslaved man who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey—to the forefront of American history. Her company’s headquarters, the Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee, is the first distillery in the world to honor an African American.
The 2026 graduating class will hear Weaver discuss her “Love and Whiskey” philosophy, focusing on how purpose-driven leadership and radical authenticity can redefine industries.
University officials expect a capacity crowd for the event.