September 30, hundreds of people diverged into The Showroom to indulge in good food, live entertainment, craft beer, wine and spirits from Black Owned Businesses. Chanel Turner, CEO of Fou-Dr Vodka hosted the 2nd Annual Black Owned Wine and Spirits Festival in Washington D.C. Chanel is committed to providing an event heavy on brand awareness that will re-direct a portion of the Black community’s $1.1 Trillion buying power back to Black Owned Wine and Spirit brands.
The Black Owned Wine and Spirits Festival was a great event for the general public to be exposed to Black Owned brands that are challenging norms and serving up serious competition within the Wine and Spirits Industry, here in the US as well as internationally. Attendees had the opportunity to hear directly from the individuals behind the brands and sample their servings. You could also buy from each vendor on site. Many of the vendors were sold out!
Participating brands were also encouraged to foster community within the wine and spirits industry among themselves. At the industry-only pre-event gathering, vendors where given a chance to meet with Washington D.C.’s hotel management, food and beverage managers and hospitality professionals to discuss distribution opportunities.
I got the chance to chat it up with Chanel…. Click to watch.
The event was held at The Showroom, D.C.’s newest, most exclusive event venue. With wine glasses in hand, the industrial space was filled almost to capacity, winding to the conscious reggae grooves from the Proverbs Band. VIP guests parlayed on the rooftop, overlooking the city. DJ MIM keep the party going with R&B classics, old school and new school hip hop.
If you enjoyed what you were sipping on, you had a long wait in line to buy from one or more of the participating wine and spirit brands:
Anestasia Vodka
Black Crystal Wine
Cap City Beverage
Den of Thieves
Du Nord Craft Spirits
East Road Beverages
FLO Wines
Fou-Dré Vodka
Harlem Brewing Company
P. Harell Wines
Markell-Bani Wines
Suite Four Champagne
And a few more I am sure I missed due to the volume of the people who came to support. Calling the Black Owned Wine and Spirits Festival a successful turnout would be an understatement.
Will I see you next year?? Don’t meet me there, beat me there!