At DC Vegan, serving up proud, gay, Black, plant-based identity
Wine, but on his own terms. At DC Vegan, Sargent “Sarg” Nelson is serving up his proud, gay, black, plant-based identity. Nelson didn’t start out yearning to be behind the bar extolling the virtues of funky wines and herb-infused spirits.
Yet studying architecture as an undergraduate, he soon realized that “it was beverages that I was designing.” He’s found a place to fully build out his raison d’etre crafting and mixing as the beverage director at DC Vegan, Dupont’s Italian American-inspired bar/restaurant/deli/fromagerie, “crafting experiences that blend flavor and connections,” he says.
The progressive virtues of working at a vegan restaurant allow Nelson to embrace his gay identity. He sees diversity not as a buzzword but as central to what makes life interesting.
Yet coming up and stepping into leadership roles as a gay Black man in the hospitality industry was not easy. “While our industry has come a long way, I won’t deny facing challenges and barriers because of my sexual orientation.
