INTRODUCING THE CULTURE SHAKERS
Gentleman Jack Culture Shakers is a national program for one multicultural filmmaker and six multicultural bartenders to create short films showcasing how they are crafting culture as we know it. As a smooth and approachable Tennessee whiskey that utilizes a second charcoal mellowing process to achieve greatness, Gentleman Jack strives to embrace the creator in us all who takes the extra step to craft what’s real and strives to leave a legacy.
WATCH THE SHORT FILM
MEET THE DIRECTOR
STEVIE RODRIGUEZ
@stevierodrgz
Stevie Rodriguez is an award-winning filmmaker from the Dominican Republic. He is recognized for his intimate, natural camera work and diverse editing style, which is never the same twice.
For 14 years, Stevie has captured distinctive visuals and edited them into intriguing stories. From working with musicians to Forbes 500 companies, he starts each project with a thorough understanding of the narrative and determines how to best enhance the story. Stevie is dedicated to recognizing black and brown talent in front of the camera as well as behind the camera, and he is committed to using his artistry to showcase quality film in television and social content.
MEET THE HOST
LANCE GROSS
@lancegross
Lance Gross is an accomplished actor, producer, and photographer who currently stars in the new Fox TV series "Our Kind of People." Best known for his role as ‘Calvin Payne’ in “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne,” which earned him the honor of being the first actor to win four NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Lance also starred in TV One’s “When Love Kills: The Felicia Blakely Story”; the BET anthology series “Tales: Trap Queen”; and “The Bobby Brown Story” on BET. Other credits include Tyler Perry's "Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor"; the remake of "Steel Magnolias" on Lifetime; Fox Searchlight's "Our Family Wedding”; and USA Network's "Royal Pains." Lance created, produced, & starred in the MACRO digital series “I Turned My Camera On,” which combined his love of photography with a series of celebrity interviews (Michael B. Jordan, Omari Hardwick, Kelly Rowland, amongst others).
Christian Jenkins
Phoenix, AZ | @chriskapital1
Christian Jenkins grew up in Discovery Bay, an East Bay town in Northern California. In 2013, he landed his first hospitality job when he became responsible for managing a 24-hour hotel café. Like a fish to water, his background in event promotion and business acumen provided him with knowledge and experience that was utilized to boost the café’s sales. Since then, he has had opportunities to help open six different restaurant concepts in Arizona. Christian currently spearheads a neighborhood craft cocktail bar in the heart of downtown Phoenix.
Brooke Mooney
Huntsville, AL | @Brookeevette
Originally from Indianapolis, Brooke Mooney moved to Huntsville in 2018 to attend graduate school where she studied counseling psychology. In 2019, after closely observing master bartenders' craft, she began bartending at a local franchise bar. Her ability to establish a rapport with customers and create customized drinks left them quite satisfied! This experience led her to become an expert mixologist. In 2020, Brooke established a mobile bartending & hookah business, servicing private parties, birthdays, events, and clubs. Brooke takes pride in her presentation and is grateful for any opportunity to create a vibe and enjoyable experience for both new and returning customers.
Jonathan Castillo
Jersey City, NJ | @Jonnyohthisguy
Jonathan Castillo is a native Floridian and first-generation South American and Caribbean. His parents, hailing from NYC’s Astoria in Queens, built their family in Jersey City. Being one of the most diverse cities in America, he credits a combination of cultural inspirations and tremendous amount of heritage to the Latino he is today. He landed his first restaurant job as a line cook, but the back of the restaurant never felt like home. Once he climbed the ladder to the front of the house, he started shaking tins & creating beautiful expressions - the rest was history. Today, Jonathan owns a successful beverage consulting group and works for some of the most reputable restaurants in the New York and Hudson County area. And the best is still yet to come!
Julian Leal
Indianapolis, IN | @cocktailjules
Julian Leal was born in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. He is the son of educators, so he has spent most of his life trying to absorb information and learn as much as he can. At the age of 18, he started traveling and moving around often. Ten years later, he finally decided to settle down in Indianapolis, where he started his career in bartending. Over time, Julian has developed a passion for hospitality, and he prides himself on being able to bring the feeling of home to the bar. Always quick to smile, Julian believes the true value of the craft is not only the great drinks, but great service.
Lauren Reese
Tampa, FL | @reesecupzzz
In 2010, Lauren Reese left school in Buffalo, NY and found her way to Washington, D.C., where her roots began in bartending. She got her start at a well-known American restaurant learning structure and discipline before making the move to a full 360 mixology bar, where they gave her the opportunity to flex her creative mixology muscles. This is also where she found her ability to move people. Bringing people together is something that has impacted Lauren’s life in a significant way and allowed her to engage with almost any and every kind of person there is. She's also had the opportunity to work alongside rockstar bartenders and mixologists who have helped her to become the cocktail enthusiast that she is today!
Christopher Blas
San Diego, CA | @Blassy
Christopher Blas grew up in sunny San Diego, California with a passion for sharing stories through music and hospitality. With over ten years behind the bar, he hopes to be a mentor to those who are new in the industry and provide support to everyone who needs or wants to gain from his knowledge, skills, and experience. Christopher’s goal is not only to help people learn and grow as bartenders but also as individuals. His dedication to inclusivity remains his top priority when running his bars. His belief is that everyone who walks in should feel like they are always a part of the bigger picture, so he makes sure to model that behavior. Mental health is also very important to Christopher, and he hopes to continue to provide a safe place for anyone who feels the need to reach out to him at any moment.
Culture Shakers Alumni
Gentleman Jack Culture Shakers honors Black and LatinX bartenders who are crafting cocktail culture as we know it. Of course there are the bartenders of this year, but we also have the bartenders of Culture Shakers past who have made the program what it is today. Click below to view the legacy of Culture Shakers.
DOUBLE MELLOWED FOR EXCEPTIONAL SMOOTHNESS.
Inspired by the original gentleman distiller and our founder, Gentleman Jack undergoes a second charcoal mellowing to achieve exceptional smoothness. Its balanced flavor is perfect for celebrating life’s extraordinary occasions, plus all the moments along the way.
DOUBLE MELLOWED
EXCEPTIONALLY SMOOTH FINISH
BALANCED OAK FLAVOR WITH NOTES OF CARAMEL & VANILLA
