The Black Winemakers Scholarship Fund
According to Statista.com, there almost 11,000 wineries in the US. There are over 100 wineries and/or wine brands owned by Americans of African descent worldwide. Though the industry is diversifying, this is less than .01% of the industry. More must be done. Urban Connoisseurs was founded in 2012 by Marcia Jones. The mission of Urban Connoisseurs is to affect sustainable growth in the Black winemaking community by increasing the number of winemakers of African descent in the US, create opportunities for the next generation to pursue various careers in the wine industry, and maintain brand and legacy.
Urban Connoisseurs created the Black Winemakers Scholarship Fund, and has partnered with the Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) to further the effort to bring awareness of a growing diversity in the industry. Established in 2002 by three African American men, Mac McDonald, Vance Sharp, owner of Sharp Cellars, and Dr. Ernest Bates, owner of Black Coyote, AAAV is a growing organization devoted to supporting current and future winemakers. More about the founders can be found at www.aaavintners.org.
Never before has a scholarship of this magnitude been created solely to support African Americans pursuing careers in the wine industry. The Black Winemakers Scholarship Fund serves to build diversity in the wine industry, bring awareness to present day Black winemakers, and provide financial assistance to African American students pursuing careers in the wine industry.
United Negro College Fund (UNCF) will maintain the fund. The partnership will allow students to gain access to funds to support their pursuit of a career in the wine industry with a Science degree in Viticulture and/or Enology, or similar. Beginning winter 2021, two scholarships of $5000 each were awarded to students who met the eligibility requirements. The awards will again be made in the fall 2021, and annually thereafter. Award recipients are eligible to reapply for the scholarship as long as they are enrolled in an accredited school with a viticulture, enology, or other science related field.
Become a participant in growing a diverse wine industry by donating TODAY to The Black Winemakers Scholarship Fund.
For further information, please contact Marcia Jones, Marcia@urbanconnoisseurs.com
Urban Connoisseurs created the Black Winemakers Scholarship Fund, and has partnered with the Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) to further the effort to bring awareness of a growing diversity in the industry. Established in 2002 by three African American men, Mac McDonald, Vance Sharp, owner of Sharp Cellars, and Dr. Ernest Bates, owner of Black Coyote, AAAV is a growing organization devoted to supporting current and future winemakers. More about the founders can be found at www.aaavintners.org.
Never before has a scholarship of this magnitude been created solely to support African Americans pursuing careers in the wine industry. The Black Winemakers Scholarship Fund serves to build diversity in the wine industry, bring awareness to present day Black winemakers, and provide financial assistance to African American students pursuing careers in the wine industry.
United Negro College Fund (UNCF) will maintain the fund. The partnership will allow students to gain access to funds to support their pursuit of a career in the wine industry with a Science degree in Viticulture and/or Enology, or similar. Beginning winter 2021, two scholarships of $5000 each were awarded to students who met the eligibility requirements. The awards will again be made in the fall 2021, and annually thereafter. Award recipients are eligible to reapply for the scholarship as long as they are enrolled in an accredited school with a viticulture, enology, or other science related field.
Become a participant in growing a diverse wine industry by donating TODAY to The Black Winemakers Scholarship Fund.
For further information, please contact Marcia Jones, Marcia@urbanconnoisseurs.com