Gran Coramino Tequila, founded by entrepreneur and comedian Kevin Hart and 11^th-generation tequila maker Juan Domingo Beckmann accepted applications for The Coramino Fund — the brand’s giveback program with U.S. impact partner Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). The fund supports Black and Latinx entrepreneurs and small-business owners across the United States with $10,000 grants, in addition to learning opportunities. For every bottle of tequila sold, Coramino donates $1 toward the cause. While applications for eligible U.S. businesses closed Dec. 5, the next round of entrepreneurship programming in Jalisco, Mexico, is set to launch early this year, according to the company. The Coramino Fund received more than 20,000 applicants from every state during its inaugural year, supporting 50 entrepreneurs with $10,000 grants to fuel the growth of their small businesses, it says. “The Coramino Fund is not just about grants — it’s about building a legacy of economic empowerment and generational success,” Hart said in a statement. “The impact our first year of collaboration with LISC had on Black and Latinx small-business owners was inspiring to see. With this new round of support, we’re continuing to help break the barriers that have held talented entrepreneurs back from achieving their dreams.”

Dr Pepper, University of Southern California award Boys & Girls Clubs members

Dr Pepper and University of Southern California star quarterback Caleb Williams jointly awarded college Boys & Girls Clubs members with $50,000 each. The awards followed a Dr Pepper Tuition Toss event hosted by the beverage brand and Williams’ foundation, Caleb Cares. The event marked a continuation of Dr Pepper’s season-long partnership with Williams and brought forth their collective passion for empowering youth, the company says. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles ― Challengers hosted the event, and Williams, through his foundation, has partnered with the organization, frequently attending events for deserving club members. During the event, Williams coached the student members on the best techniques when throwing a football during the re-creation of the annual Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway Challenge & Contest, where Boys & Girls Clubs members cheered on two of their own high school seniors. The competition involved seeing who could land the most footballs into oversized Dr Pepper cans for the chance to win $50,000. “The Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway Program is an initiative we look forward to every year, and we’re excited to have the program evolve to impact even more deserving students,” said John Alvarado, senior vice president of Dr Pepper brand marketing, in a statement. “Given our shared commitment of youth empowerment, we’re honored to team up with the Caleb Cares Foundation to positively impact members of the community.”

The newly launched functional beverage brand Illicit Elixirs, which produces ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages designed to support dopamine production, announced a partnership with actress, director and entrepreneur Bella Thorne. The partnership will feature a Thorne-inspired flavor set to launch this year. The company says Thorne’s flavor — Naughty Behavior Citrus Flavor — will be available in late spring or early summer. The collaboration exemplifies the brand’s approach “to bringing fun to the functional beverage category, while maintaining the brand’s commitment to natural ingredients, proven antioxidants, vitamins and amino acids” that work to support dopamine production, it says. “From the moment I was introduced to Illicit Elixirs, I felt connected to the brand because there is so much more to it than what meets the eye,” Thorne said in a statement. “The fact that Illicit Elixirs is a functional beverage that tastes amazing with or without alcohol, coupled with their approach to bringing ‘happy hedonism’ to all consumers was a huge draw for me, and I’m really excited to introduce Naughty Behavior Citrus Flavor to the public.” Jason Gaboriau, co-founder of Illicit Elixirs, noted that the brand’s goal is to establish a community rooted in being non-judgmental. He said that Thorne embodies that idea, as well as the idea of a lifestyle of being “a happy health-seeker.”

Illicit Elixirs partners with Bella Thorne