Movie star, comedian Kevin Hart invests in Detroit-based Ellis Island Tea

Business owner flew to Atlanta in February to meet with Hart

DETROIT – Nailah Ellis-Brown signed a partnership with a global mega-star using the sweet tea recipe of her great grandfather, who came to the United States through Ellis Island more than 100 years ago.

Ellis-Brown is going head-to-head with the big beverage companies with her tea -- Ellis Island Tea.

Ellis Island Tea began with Ellis-Brown making her great grandfather’s Jamaican-style tea in her mother’s basement and selling it from her car 12 years ago.

She plugged away and never listened to people who settled or had no dreams.

Ellis Island Tea partnered with one of the biggest names in entertainment -- Kevin Hart, who is now an investor in the company.

Ellis-Brown said her 15-minute pitch to the comedian and movie star in Atlanta left her so nervous, her knees were shaking under the table.

Hart liked her and liked the product and decided he wanted to be involved.

You can watch the full story in the video above.

You can find out more information on Ellis Island Tea on its official website here.


About the Authors

Paula Tutman is an Emmy award-winning journalist who came to Local 4 in 1992. She's married and the stepmother of three beautiful and brilliant daughters. Her personal philosophy in life, love and community is, "Do as much as you can possibly do, not as little as you can possibly get away with".

Dane is a producer and media enthusiast. He previously worked freelance video production and writing jobs in Michigan, Georgia and Massachusetts. Dane graduated from the Specs Howard School of Media Arts.

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