We were lucky to catch up with Fern Stroud recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Fern, thanks for joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

At the core of what we do, we believe it’s our purpose to curate spaces exemplifying Black Excellence, filled with LOVE & JOY as we bring community together. Our mission is finding ways to consistently be engaged in the development, maintenance and sustainability of a Black economic ecosystem.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am Fern A. Stroud, once a budding musician and now a retired Software Development Program Manager, with a purpose in this world to bridge the gaps between business, art, and community. I have been honored to bring this purpose to life through successful partnership, board service, and other initiatives including production of Black Vines – A Toast to Black Wineries and Diverse Art® voted USA Today’s Best Wine Festivals of 2021.

Black Vines® is the longest-standing Black wine festival in the country and California’s preeminent curator of Black wine experiences and special events. We host an annual Black history (future) celebration of culture, art, and wine education that brings together Black artists, Black musicians, Black winemakers, and vintners; an outdoor summer soiree featuring delectable light fare paired with sparkling wines, rosé, and sangria by Black makers. And have become a year-round host custom events in partnership with key influencers and industry specialists.

We believe in creating community, and engage in the development, maintenance, and sustainability of a Black economic ecosystem, while curating spaces of Black LOVE and Black JOY, exemplifying Black EXCELLENCE.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Unlearned the term failure… …anything that didn’t work I’ve learned there is a lesson in it. True failure is not learning from experiences that weren’t favorable.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Our funding story is one rooted in pure desire to serve our community. It all started with a regular bonus check — these check would come at the same time of year and I was used to figuring out fun things to invest it in. Then the idea of Black Vines came along, and I figured any monies loaned or needed to make this happen – I could reimburse with my bonus check — and that was our initial capital in making this happen.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.blackvines.net
• Instagram: @blackvines_
• Facebook: toastblackvines

Image Credits
Black Vines®