Gorilla Lemonade Lands Yale Beverage Supplier Gig

Isaiah Crowe of Gorilla Lemonade with Dena at Schwarzman.

With a single sip of lemonade, history was made on the lower level of Yale’s Schwarzman Center. 

Chloe Shames and Erin Bailey.

That sip took place at 11:24 a.m. on the last Monday of February on the lower level of Yale’s new 168 Grove St. student and arts hub.

It was Yale senior Erin Bailey who sampled Gorilla Lemonade in its blueberry form, officially marking the business as the first Black-owned beverage supplier at Yale in the university’s 321 years of existence. The sip — and supplier hire — took place to coincide with Black History Month. 

The occasion was a taste testing to introduce the lemonade in all its flavors — in addition to blueberry, pineapple, strawberry and, of course, lemon — to the Yale community.

Very refreshing,” Bailey said. I second that,” her friend, Chloe Shames, agreed.

Stephanie Prete.

Next came Stephanie Prete, a services hospitality assistant at the Schwarzman Center, wheeling a trolley of cleaning implements. She could barely contain her excitement.

Look at this,” she said, pointing at a flyer on the table showing Gorilla Lemonade in 50 locations around the state, and another, telling the story of the product, from its inception in February 2022 to its promotion by such figures as U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, food critic and television personality Daym Drops, and New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley.

Flyer.

Oh my god, I am so happy for Brian,” Prete said, referring to Brian Burkett-Thompson who, along with his role as co-creator of Gorilla Lemonade with Kristen Threatt, is a Cook’s Helper at Yale Commons. This is so exciting. This is all because of his hard work.”

Burkett-Thompson, standing nearby with Threatt, beamed.

Sean Artis and Tamar Cummings.

You like it?” Sean Artis, member of the Gorilla Lemonade team, was asking first-year Melangelo Pride. Artis was manning the table with Tamar Cummings. 

Melangelo Pride with Katie Oca.

I really do,” she said. It’s really smooth, light, refreshing. If I see it here, I’ll probably buy some.” 

Artis said he and Cummings recently started working with Threatt and Burkett-Thompson. They gave us this business opportunity to help them promote the Gorilla drinks. We’re aspiring entrepreneurs and we’re just trying to make the most of it.” 

Cummings nodded. We’re from the Hill section,” he said. Kris and Brian are helping me meet people, helping me coming out of my shell.”

Darrell Bellamy, TCB Films

Kristen Threatt and Brian Burkett-Thompson.

That drew a smile from Threatt.

That’s what we’re all about, that’s what Eat Up is all about,” he said, referring to the nonprofit he and Burkett-Thompson founded in 2019 that has seen them giving school supplies to children, feeding those experiencing homelessness on Thanksgiving, and surprising unsuspecting families with gift bags for Christmas.

And that’s why we call it Gorilla Lemonade,” he went on. We are strong and powerful, but gentle to the needs of our people. Brian and I are about lifting our people up, showing them there’s a way.

Threatt expressed gratitude to Yale, which brought in Gorilla Lemonade as a beverage supplier through the university’s first formalized Supplier Diversity Program, according to Wendy Rawlins, strategic sourcing manager and program lead. 

It was a natural fit to introduce Gorilla Lemonade,” said Rawlins of the program, which was launched to identify and encourage New Haven minority-owned businesses to bid to work with Yale,” Peter Salovey, university president, wrote in an October 2021 letter to the Yale community.

Threatt said it was his hope that Gorilla Lemonade’s inclusion at the university would open the door for other African American small businesses to come in. The other thing is the college kids, everyone here actually, is shaping culture. They can help us too.”

Katie Oca with photographer Darrell Bellamy.

Katie Oca, guest experience manager, agreed with his assessment.

I love them all,” she said of the flavors. Everyone will.” 

Dena.

By then, Isaiah Crowe, another member of Gorilla Lemonade team, was heading toward Elm, an all-day cafe, balancing a tray of samples. A senior driver for UPS, Crowe said he helps with out-of-town shipping for lemonade orders.

He offered a sample to Dena, a cashier.

Now that’s good,” she said. 

Gavin Moore, offering samples and sharing the story of Gorilla Lemonade.

This is a new product and it’s going to be on campus,” Gorilla Lemonade team member Gavin Moore told two students. That’s lemon. That’s pineapple. Your choice.” He handed them a flyer. And here’s the story of the product.”

Tyler Di Ienno.

As he was exiting Elm, Crowe encountered Tyler Di Ienno, a safety on the football team. This shit is good,” Di Ienno said. I’m going to send my teammates down.” 

Joyce Hines, Shaila Cohen, and Sydney Covington Cody.

Back in the hallway, service hospitality associates Sydney Covington Cody, Shaila Cohen, and Joyce Hines were sampling the lemonade while observing the action. 

We all work with Brian,” Cohen said. We’re all family here, and we’re proud.”

Mujahid Mohammed.

Mujahid Mohammed, part of the Gorilla Lemonade team, was standing nearby. 

Most of us are from the same neighborhood, the Hill,” he said, as voices and laughter echoed off the marble walls. 

We joined up with Kris and Brian because wanted to be our own entrepreneurs and also give back. We just want to show young people more ways in life than doing negative things.”

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