BOLD LEGACY

FAWN WEAVER RETURNS TO JACKSONVILLE TO INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION

When Fawn Weaver stepped onto the Think Bold stage in Jacksonville for the second year in a row, the energy shifted. The room leaned in—not just out of respect for her accolades as the CEO of Uncle Nearest, the most awarded American whiskey brand of the past five years—but because she speaks like someone whoʼs lived every word. And in many ways, she has .

Weaverʼs return to Think Bold Festival & Conference was more than a keynote—it was a signal. A symbol of what it looks like when national change-makers invest in regional momentum. “Think Bold is more than a conference,” she shared during her talk. “Itʼs a catalyst for whatʼs next—and Jacksonville is ready.”

When a city is Bold enough to reimagine itself, leaders have to show up and help it become what it’s meant to be,” she said. “That’s why I’m here".

Weaverʼs journey is legendary. From bestselling author and entrepreneur to whiskey maverick, sheʼs not jus t breaking barriers—sheʼs building institutions. Uncle Nearest isnʼt just a brand; itʼs a cultural statement. It honors the legacy of Nearest Green, the formerly enslaved man who taught Jack Daniel how to distill whiskey, while creating real opportunities for Black and Brown entrepreneurs in the present.

At Think Bold, Weaver didn't just speak She poured into the cityʼs next generation of entrepreneurs, dreamers, and disruptors. Her talk on purpose -driven leadership, legacy-building, and resilience struck a chord with young founders and seasoned professionals alike.

The impact? Over 600 attendees, including more than 300 students, heard directly from a woman who turned storytelling into strategy, history into opportunity, and legacy into leverage.Her consistent presence at Think Bold now weaves her into the cultural and busines s fabric of Jacksonville. And for Weaver, thatʼs no accident .