Startup CPG Newswire:
AfroPop Soda Announces Distribution Partnership With RNDC, Expanding Path Toward National Growth
PRESS RELEASE — NEWS PROVIDED BY Jamel Stephens for Afropop
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (APRIL 2026) — AfroPop Soda, the culturally driven Black-owned beverage brand known for its bold flavors and celebration of Black creativity, has announced a new distribution partnership with Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), positioning Oklahoma’s only Black-owned soda brand for expansion and national growth. The partnership will allow AfroPop to scale its distribution, reach new markets, and expand its impact in local communities. “Partnering with RNDC allows AfroPop to focus on massive distribution,” said AfroPop founder Jamel Stephens. “It opens doors for us to expand into spaces that are harder to get into and sets us up to potentially become a nationally distributed brand.” RNDC currently operates in 42 states, creating a major opportunity for AfroPop to expand beyond its existing markets. While the partnership begins with distribution in Oklahoma, the infrastructure could eventually place AfroPop products across much of the country.
Stephens said the collaboration represents a turning point for the young company. “It puts AfroPop in the big leagues,” Stephens said. “It gives us an opportunity to become even more competitive in our space and to scale. This is a volume game, and by working with RNDC we’re able to increase the volume of everything we’re doing.” AfroPop first launched in December 2023 and has quickly gained traction as a culturally focused beverage brand that blends unique flavors with a strong connection to art, music, and community. What sets the brand apart, Stephens says, is its mission. “We’re culturally forward,” he said. “We celebrate Black joy, community, and culture in everything we do. We partner with emerging artists and create unique flavors that reflect the creativity of our community.”
Since its launch, AfroPop has already reached 24 states and 134 retail locations, demonstrating strong early demand for the brand. “Our goal is to continue strengthening our partnerships with small businesses and scaling Afro Pop into a national brand,” he said. Consumers can purchase Afro Pop products online and follow the brand’s collaborations with artists and creators through its social media platforms.
About AfroPop Soda
AfroPop Soda is a Black-owned beverage company founded in December 2023. The brand blends bold, unique flavors with a culturally driven mission that celebrates Black joy, art, and community. AfroPop partners with emerging artists and small businesses while expanding distribution across the United States.
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