Ronda Jackson is a Small Business Commissioner for the City of Los Angeles and a highly accomplished entrepreneur, author, speaker, and community leader, recognized for her transformative work in both business and social impact.
As the founder of In the Mix, a non-profit dedicated to fostering wellness and healing-centered programs, she champions community upliftment, supporting entrepreneurial growth through initiatives that include her monthly “Third Saturdays” events. This month, Ronda Jackson is hosting the inaugural Bourbon, Beards & Brims event, extending an invitation to a casual wellness experience crafted for men of purpose.
Photo: Ronda Jackson, entrepreneur, speaker, community leader, author of “Stay the Course”
Bourbons, Beards, and Brims is a purpose-driven wellness experience designed for the entrepreneur, the father, the visionary, and the brother who consistently leads, builds, and stays the course.
Attendees can expect an evening of deep conversations, bold energy, bourbon tastings, and grown-man clarity set against the vibrant backdrop of Downtown Los Angeles’ historic bank district.
Bourbon, Beards & Brims offers a unique space for men to connect, recharge, and gain valuable insights through workshops, speakers, and smooth, hand-crafted bourbon. This event is a movement towards wholeness, and every ticket directly supports In the Mix, Inc.’s mission to strengthen men, families, and futures.
“As a mother of two young men and someone who has spent years supporting business owners, I understand that wellness isn’t separate from prosperity—it’s the foundation, says Jackson. “When men have tools to lead with both strength and vulnerability, they build stronger businesses, create more jobs, and establish leadership that generates lasting community wealth.”
Attendees can look forward to Brim-to-Brim Talk Therapy, encouraging genuine, man-to-man conversations that move beyond superficial icebreakers. These TED-style Power Talks will feature inspiring men who have overcome challenges and transformed them into triumphs, sharing their powerful narratives.
Fathers Day with Alexander James – photo courtesy Alexander James
Guest speakers include Alexander James, pastor, nationally recognized poet and author of Just Be Honest, who will lend his voice, using radical honesty as a tool for healing and humanizing the Black male experience.
Photo courtesy Deron Powell
Deron Powell, a celebrated actor (Lovecraft 2020) and dynamic emcee, will anchor the evening with his depth, charisma, and cultural fluency, bringing heart, humor, and nobility.
Courtney Tucker, co-founder of Old Hillside Bourbon, sponsors of the inaugural event, will participate as a special guest speaker focusing on the importance of building generational wealth along with scheduled whisky tastings.
Brian Burton, Jesse Carpenter, Emmanuel Waters and Courtney Tucker – photo courtesy Old Hillside Bourbon
“Building a successful bourbon brand isn’t just about the spirit in the bottle — it’s about the patience, the passion, and the promise behind every pour.” – Courtney Tucker, Old Hillside Bourbon
Old Hillside Bourbon is a lifestyle brand committed to celebrating Black history and fostering positive community change. Old Hillside Whisky ranges from traditional floral to fruity whiskey refinements, with each hand-crafted bottle commemorating the legacy of Black jockeys often overlooked during the time of Jim Crow laws. Bourbon tastings are promised for this event.
The event also features a Wellness + Golf Activation Zone that will provide a space for physical relaxation, mental refocusing, and a reclamation of inner peace.
Vendor + Resources with valuable tools and resources to support attendees’ businesses, health, finances, and mindsets. Guests will also receive Swag Bags Built for Grown Men, filled with curated, bourbon-inspired gifts that are both refined and genuinely practical.
The event will also feature the energetic sounds of Westside Gogo’s DJ Nice, setting the mood with a blend of jazz, classic soul, smooth hip-hop, and feel-good energy.
Delicious dessert offerings by Chef Jay Aaron. In 2010, Chef Jay completed his formal culinary education with additional studies in the Professional Pastry Program at Cerritos College. Since he’s gone on to perfect his craft in various positions within the culinary industry and created his own Black-owned catering company, Les Saveurs (The Flavors), in the city of Carson.
Why mental wellness?
The urgency of this event is underscored by sobering statistics: 75% of suicide deaths in the U.S. are men, and Black and Brown men are half as likely to access mental health support. All too often, men do not break down; they shut down.
Bourbon, Beards & Brims aims to fundamentally change this narrative by fostering connection, promoting well-being, and providing access to resources within an environment that is both culturally relevant and engaging.
This event is specifically for business owners, creators, tradesmen, barbers, coaches, fathers, and sons; men who skillfully juggle multiple responsibilities; leaders committed to moving with purpose and peace; and brothers seeking more than just another superficial gathering.
Jackson’s In the Mix organization has facilitated similar transformations throughout greater Los Angeles, supporting business development through programming that recognizes mental health as economic infrastructure. Her approach acknowledges that community economic vitality requires comprehensive strategies addressing mental mental wellness, physical health, and mindset optimization alongside traditional business metrics.
Bourbon, Beards & Brims is taking place on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 4 PM to 8 PM at 334 South Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013. For more information, tickets, sponsorship and media inquiries: https://inthemixinc.org
