The Black Winemakers Scholarship Fund
According to Statista.com, there almost 11,000 wineries in the US. There are just under 60 wineries and/or wine brands owned by Americans of African descent, and equally as many worldwide. This is less than .01% of the industry. The mission of Urban Connoisseurs is to affect sustainable growth in the wine making 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 for the Generation after Next.
The Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) and Urban Connoisseurs have partnered to create The Black Winemakers Scholarship Fund. Established in 2002 by four African American men, Mac McDonald, owner of Vision Cellars, Lou Garcia, owner of Stover Oaks Winery, 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.
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 Black winemakers in the US and abroad, create opportunities for the next generation to pursue various careers in the wine industry, and maintain brand and legacy.
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.
Urban Connoisseurs and AAAV are partnering with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to 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. Scholarships will be awarded annually to students who meet the eligibility requirements.
For further information, please contact Marcia Jones, Marcia@urbanconnoisseurs.com
The Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) and Urban Connoisseurs have partnered to create The Black Winemakers Scholarship Fund. Established in 2002 by four African American men, Mac McDonald, owner of Vision Cellars, Lou Garcia, owner of Stover Oaks Winery, 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.
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 Black winemakers in the US and abroad, create opportunities for the next generation to pursue various careers in the wine industry, and maintain brand and legacy.
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.
Urban Connoisseurs and AAAV are partnering with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to 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. Scholarships will be awarded annually to students who meet the eligibility requirements.
For further information, please contact Marcia Jones, Marcia@urbanconnoisseurs.com