Marcia’s mission as Founder at Urban Connoisseurs is to affect sustainable growth in the wine community by increasing awareness of the number of American winemakers of African descent in the United States. She is also dedicated to creating opportunities for the next generation to seriously consider careers in the wine industry. Marcia increases the public’s awareness of Black winemakers through her well designed Winemakers Club. You choose the membership, the club will select the wines and deliver them directly to your door. The club model has also been instrumental in helping Black winemakers pivot during the difficult COVID-19 and variant periods. When these winemakers could not hold tastings or other events that increased their brand recognition, many of them turned to creating wine clubs as a way to keep their businesses solvent. When I asked Marcia to share how she developed her interest in wine and developing a strong coalition of Black winemakers, she reminisced about having attended a wine tasting where the maker invited she and her sisters into his home, provided a divine meal and shared his vision for creating wines for consumers. She noted that what stood out about the experience was the emphasis placed on hospitality. The winemaker didn’t just provide a sampling of a variety of wines, but spent a great deal of time making she and her sister feel extremely comfortable in his home by creating a top notch experience, inclusive of dinner. Another way Marcia is working to make Black winemakers more visible is through the making of a documentary entitled “Journey Between the Vines: The Black Winemakers’ Story” and the writing of a book about this illustrious group of creators. The book will highlight the history and present day African Americans in the wine industry. Additionally, Marcia is hosting the second annual Wine Makers Summit, which will take place Friday, February 18, 2022 and Saturday, February 19, 2022. The Summit’s sessions, which are all virtual, will address some of the following topics: Climate Change, Smoke Taint, Fires and How Harvest Has Been Affected; The Pandemic and How It Has Affected, Revenue, Online Sales, Wine Club Marketing and the Tasting Room The Shift: Building Your Wine Club The Bright Side of Being a Winemaker, and Why We Are Still Here Toast to the Bubbles: Who is Making What and Why Guests will also have an opportunity to visit winemakers’ online booths. This event, like so many that Marcia has created, is centered around a strong value system that as outlined in Marcia’s written material does the following: Supports those who produce the best quality wine grapes and wine possible; Support those winemakers who lead in protecting the environment and conserving natural resources for future generations; Maintain long-term relationships with winemakers; Support the economic and social well-being of winemakers, their employees and families; Respect for all who have traveled this challenging road, whether in success or failure; Honor the American winemakers of African descent and their entrepreneurial spirit; Research and educate as well as monitor and evaluate existing practices to improve the community and its growth Marcia has also created Women and Wine Celebrate to be held in Seattle, Washington. Stay tuned for more information about this dining/wine experience via her website urbanconnoisseurs.com Marcia has also created a scholarship fund through The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to attract students who have an entrepreneurial leaning. These students are mentored and educated about the wine industry – all of this is geared toward ensuring the there are future generations of winemakers of African descent. To learn more about the phenomenal work that Marcia is engaged in, or if you would like to contribute to the scholarship fund, along with registering for the International Winemakers Summit, you can connect with her on urbanconnoisseurs.com, Instagr