On The Record: Black on Both Sides (BOBS)

Black on Both Sides or BOBS as it has become, was started as a monthly pop to showcase the brilliance of Detroit’s historic black hospitality. John Sampon Neely, Andre Sykes, and Lisa Carielle all Detroit-based craft cocktail bartenders for the past 10 years. They have worked and ran someone the best a brightest space in Detroit, along with traveling to tales of cocktail, Portland cocktail week, Brooklyn bar convent, Etc. The Fact to the point…. was very apparent. There’s a huge lack of People of color in positions of power and being behind that bar is on if the most powerful positions in any bar or restaurant.

We start this organization in less then two weeks and put together our first ever event at Willis show bar…the week before the end of black history month. To say we all learned what our roles are quick is a huge understatement. Honestly… we never planned on taking black on Both sides any further than that day. The response of people is what made us pick up this flag, The clear need for these events for all of people of color in city. When see people enthralled in it all, there is nothing like it. We went on to do a year of crazy popups all around Detroit and we even got to take buffalo traders in grand Rapids. Now we after our anniversary and 313 days, we are getting ready to hit the road big time. Pittsburgh, Ohio, NYC…and much more to come. Cheers.

In the work of carving out these shapes and creating one of kind experiences, we all never forget to mentor those around us. Black on both sides has really become a haven for people of color in the industry.  If you ask a question, we have an answer. If you need support, we have hands. If you just need someone to vent to about a long day that could have been better… we are there.  Black on both sides is in every way about community. I think we all look forward to the day of having our own bar. That lives and breath, doing the work for the community.