• Vanport 1948 Vodka is led by a University of Boston graduate who is the granddaughter of one of the last surviving historians of the Vanport 1948 flood which devastated Oregon’s second-largest city.

Portland, OR, Feb 21, 2023, ZEXPRWIRE, “My Grandmother is a Vanport survivor, and she vividly tells a story of hearing the sirens go off, warning of the rising waters, and the confusion that followed. My goal was to bottle the spirit of rising into something we could all enjoy,” says Vanport Board Chairwoman, Kanisha Dennis. 

Vanport 1948 Vodka, a new spirit brand, has recently announced that it will be spinning off and becoming primarily black-owned. The company will be led by a team of descendants of the victims of the 1948 Vanport flood in Oregon.

The Vanport flood of 1948 was a catastrophic event that occurred on Memorial Day in the city of Vanport, Oregon. The city, which was built to house workers for the shipyards during World War II, was located on low-lying land near the Columbia River. A large dike protecting the city failed during a heavy rainstorm, causing the entire city to be submerged in water.

The flood resulted in the deaths of 15 people and left over 18,000 residents homeless. The disaster disproportionately affected the city’s black population, as Vanport was the only integrated housing development in the area at the time. Many black families lost their homes and possessions in the flood and were forced to move to other parts of the city, where they faced discrimination and limited housing options.

The founders of Vanport 1948 Vodka, descendants of the victims of the flood, wanted to honor their ancestors’ memories and raise awareness of the historical event through their spirit brand. The company aims to create a premium vodka that is made with locally-sourced ingredients and is produced in small batches.

The new ownership structure will ensure that the company is led by a team of individuals who have a personal connection to the history of the Vanport flood and its impact on the black community. This will also allow the company to give back to the community and support organizations that are working to preserve the history of the Vanport flood and its victims.

Vanport 1948 Vodka is an example of how companies can use their products to tell a story and raise awareness about important historical events and social issues. The company’s unique history and mission are sure to make it stand out in the crowded spirits market and will help it to connect with consumers who are looking for products with a deeper meaning.

Overall, Vanport 1948 Vodka is a unique and compelling brand that tells the story of one of the most tragic events in Oregon’s history and aims to honor the memory of the victims of the 1948 Vanport flood. Led by a team of descendants of the victims, the blank-owned company hopes to make a positive impact on the community and raise awareness about this important historical event.

Website: https://vanport1948.com