“It takes a village.” A phrase reiterated by many around the world to highlight the importance of a support system. The support of a community is pivotal to the success of any person or initiative. But when that community is rooted in over 300 years of trials, triumph, culture, and tradition, there is, was, and continues to be opportunities available when provided with the resources...

Alicia Towns Franken is not merely a presence in the world of wine; she is a force driving transformative change. As the Executive Director of Wine Unify, her passion extends beyond the vineyards, reaching into the realms of community building, diversity advocacy, and mentorship. Beginning her career as the Wine Director for Boston's iconic Grill 23 & Bar, Alicia garnered accolades from renowned organizations such...

While taking a month off of drinking is by no means a new or particularly innovative concept, Dry January is certainly a thing.    Who? Meet Emily Robinson, a woman with a goal – running her first half marathon. In 2011, Emily decided to ditch drinking for January to boost her training. Little did she know that her sober January would spark a larger movement....

Cassandra Schaeg is a true exemplar of determination and ambition. Having built a successful career in corporate America, she chose to focus on the beverage industry, using her platform to amplify the brands of women and BIPOC entrepreneurs through her tasting room, SIP Beer and Wine. To do this, she embraced her passion for storytelling, along with her SIP Beer and Wine co-founder Theresa Hoiles,...

In the expansive world of wine, a spirited debate has developed around the concept of natural wine. In fact, there is even debate about what a “natural wine” is to begin. This intriguing movement celebrates agriculture and the art of fermented beverages with minimal intervention, drawing inspiration from ancient winemaking practices. Similar to efforts like Anything but Vinifera, natural wines can be seen as a...

Tinashe Nyamudoka, a young and ambitious entrepreneur from Zimbabwe, has made waves in the wine industry with this next chapter in his career, Kumusha Wines. This new venture has gained significant attention for Tinashe’s unique wine-making approach and his focus on sustainability. In the fall of 2022, Nyamudoka visited the U.S. for the first time since the breakout success of his wine. His first stop...

RIP Ralph Yarl, Tyre Nichols, and all of those we’ve lost along the way. From the transatlantic slave trade to the lynchings and Jim Crow laws of the past to the issues of police brutality, racial discrimination, and gun violence today, the black community and the African diaspora have faced immense trauma and loss in a truly unique way. The repercussions of this trauma and...

As we re-collect our coins from the holidays, let’s continue to evaluate where we spend our hard-earned money and leverage our buying power consciously by supporting black-owned businesses. The category for today is Houston, but if you need recommendations for your city, reach out and let us know - we got you!  Houston has an incredibly rich history and longstanding presence of Black-owned businesses, so...