Legacy in Motion: History Beyond the Books by Skylar Codie
- Visiting Uncle Nearest distillery in Tennessee gave me something that reading the book didn’t- which was a chance to stand on the land where history was lived, feel its atmosphere, and connect with a legacy in a tangible way. Reading about Nathan “Nearest” Green- the formerly enslaved man who taught Jack Daniel how to distill whiskey-offers facts and context, connects me to his story physically and emotionally. Physically I feel connected because of my ancestry in which my great-great-great grandparents were slaves who were freed. My emotional connection is realizing how long Nearest’s Green story was hidden for, even though his skill built a legacy that still lives on today. Seeing the tools and hearing the oral histories passed down which gave a deeper sense of legacy-how African American contribution shaped not just the distillery industry but American culture as a whole. It turns distant facts into lived experiences, allowing the legacy of resilience, craftsmanship, and recognition to feel tangible and deeply personal.
Traveling from Atlanta to Tennessee adds another layer to the experience of Uncle Nearest’s Distillery that the book Love and Whiskey could not explicitly provide. The travelling journey takes you through landscapes tied to slavery, the Civil War, and the Civil Rights Movement, reminding you how the South carries both painful and proud histories. The journey itself reflects the passage of time-carrying you from landscapes marked by oppression to spaces where once forgotten stories are now being celebrated. It shows how the past continues to shape the present: through businesses reclaiming history, giving black innovators recognition and the ways we choose to honor and preserve these legacies to this present day.
- To succeed through something that delights even as it wounds means living in the comfortable tension between harm and joy. There are many challenges in life that bring celebration and connection but also carry challenges-like striving for excellence as a student. The pride of achievement delights, yet the stress, late nights, and sacrifices can sometimes wound. True success comes from holding both sides of that reality-embracing the joy while acknowledging the struggles that come with it. It is about recognizing that growth often carries weight, and that both the delight and the hardship shape who I am becoming.
Entrepreneurship crosses into responsibility the moment what you create affects lives beyond your own. For me personally, whether that is leading a club, mentoring younger students, or organizing community service initiatives, my actions don't just reflect me, they ripple out and shape others’ experiences. Responsibility means thinking about how my leadership, ideas, and projects impact the people who depend on me, and ensuring that the legacy I build uplifts rather than harms.
However, at the Uncle Nearest Distillery, these questions come alive in a different way. The company’s success rests not only on its product but also on its decisions to tell Nearest Green’s story and history. His story is of resilience, legacy, and recognition long overdue. In doing so, the distillery shows that responsibility in leadership means honoring the people and histories that make your success possible. For me, it’s a reminder that the roles I take on- a as a student, leader, and future health professional-aren’t just personal achievement. They're about carrying stories, building community and using success as a platform to uplift others.
- Stepping outside the classroom and into a place like the Uncle Nearest Distillery carries a value that books and lectures cannot provide. A classroom gives knowledge, but a lived space gives perspective. It is not just about learning about history but you get a chance to stand in it. This setting is culturally engaging, allowing me to experience traditions, stories, and legacies that shape a community firsthand. Being surrounded by the scenery that the book only describes, my mind expands as the environment brings the vivid words to life. Being present in the space builds a deeper connection to the story, transforming it from something being read on a page into a sense of feeling my own experience and connection to the book and history.
A retreat like this also becomes a mirror. As an honor student, it challenges me to see learning as more of an academic achievement. It is about curiosity, empathy, and using my education to uplift overlooked stories like Nearest Green’s. As part of a community at Spelman College and a predominantly black urban city, it shows that knowledge isn’t an individual pursuit but something shared and connected, where my growth enriches others and theirs enriches me. Lastly, as a part of a larger story, it invites me to place myself in the ongoing narrative of recognition and justice. Understanding that my journey, like Nearest Green’s, has the potential to leave a mark for those who come after me and develop my legacy.
- Skylar Codie
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