By Ebony L. Morman

Mixologist Sekani Akunyun has always loved performing arts, which is why the theater major’s background heavily influences her work throughout Charlotte’s bar scene. It’s been a decade since Akunyun, who came to Charlotte from New York during elementary school, got promoted from server to bartender while working at the Epicenter’s Studio Movie Grill. She’s still performing, no matter the platform.

“I do think that the performing arts have helped me with this industry as a whole,” she says. “The bar is definitely a stage, just like when you get a dish from a restaurant, that’s somebody’s stage, somebody performed this piece of art onto your plate.” 

Akunyun got her start in the service industry during college. For years, she either prepared drinks or worked as a server at a few different chain restaurants and shops. But no matter the platform, Akunyun was on stage. To her, there are many similarities between theater and mixology — and her love of math and science also comes into play, she says. Over the years, her work has grown to encompass these three aspects.

“I’m lucky to have people who believe in me and want to help guide me in the bar world,” she says. “I’ve really been able to dive into this industry to a point where I don’t really see myself leaving it.”

She’s been able to learn through one of her recent projects, Lavender & Libations, which was born out of her desire to cultivate community by helping others. It’s a pop-up experience where industry professionals can convene to showcase their talents and garner support from one another and the community. The platform for chefs, mixologists, and others in Charlotte’s hospitality industry launched in 2023. Since then, she’s hosted six events—for up to 50 attendees—with the goal of highlighting others. Local nonprofits, such as Hospitality Coalition, have also partnered with Akunyun through Lavender & Libations, receiving a portion of the event’s proceeds. 

“What I want from it is to help the industry,” she says. “I want to provide help throughout the industry for minorities through collaborations and pop-ups with products, places, and people that align with their vision. Essentially, I want you to be great and I want to help you be great through Lavender & Libations.” 

When guests attend a Lavender & Libations experience, they can expect it to be themed. The featured chef, mixologist, as well as Akunyun would curate dishes and drinks inspired by that theme. The first Lavender & Libations pop up featured pastry chef Jasmin Macon of Beyond Amazing Donuts and barista Kenya Augurson of By Any Beans Necessary. The three women refer to themselves as the purple sunflowers. The first event was a celebration of their growth and skills in their respective lanes. 

The most recent Lavender & Libations pop-up was a virtual event that was held in January. Akunyun hosted it live on social media with Ev Clark, founder of Proximity, a multicultural food and beverage concept that offers immersive tasting menus with curated music selections. The two created mocktails and engaged in a discussion about infused cocktails. 

One of last year’s ticketed events included a collaboration with local nonprofit, Foster Village. The event, which had a lemonade theme, helped raise money for the nonprofit. Another ticketed pop up featured chefs Brandon Staton of Uptown Yolk and Gerald Hawkins, Jr., a former Charlotte pastry chef who recently relocated to Wilmington. The Asian-inspired pop up was held at The Spoke Easy. 

When Akunyun is not hosting her own pop-up experiences, she’s leading in-home cocktail classes in collaboration with Tamu Curtis, owner of The Cocktailery. Lately, she’s been busy helping out the teams at places like Lorem Ipsum and Dram & Draught by completing a fair amount of prep work for their cocktails. Akunyun’s been behind the bar at Lorem Ipsum, too. This year, she’s been mixing cocktails at a few immersive dinner experiences. 

For instance, she was the featured mixologist for the History & Homage dinner that happened in March at Community Matters Cafe. Dishes and drinks for this event celebrated Black fine dining within Black cuisine. Akunyun curated seven mocktails, one of which was milk punch (tamarind, yellow bell pepper, and coconut milk) inspired by Cato Alexander, a formerly enslaved man who became known for his cocktail creations. In the past, she’s also participated in several of Serving the Culture’s immersive dinner experiences where she created multiple themed cocktails for more than 75 guests. 

In preparation for these types of events, Akunyun gains inspiration from the chef’s menu, a theme, or song lyrics.

“Sometimes it’s also a play on words,” she says. “There are times where I have a question. I’ll ask [someone], how can I do this? Whatever their answer is, the wheels just start to turn. I do a lot of research and it comes out extremely creative when you all taste it and I’m so glad you all enjoy it.”

Last month, Akunyun took her talents to Charleston, South Carolina where she participated in The Great Shakeup, a national Black cocktail craftsman competition. She was one of four finalists and while she didn’t bring the win back to Charlotte, it was yet another stage for her to showcase her creativity and build community with industry experts. 

Akunyun is adamant about attributing part of her success to the Charlotte community, those who have been on the receiving end of her creations. 

“Just like the performing arts, if you guys weren’t drawn to this actor, this play, or this music, those people wouldn’t have jobs,” she says. “They wouldn’t be able to do all the things they can do. I wouldn’t be able to do the things that I get to do, if you guys didn’t like what I do.”