Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Joycelyn Dawson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Joycelyn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
The Women In Wine Foundation was born from a deep desire to create spaces where women could heal, grow, and lead — not just in the wine industry, but in their personal lives as well. Wine, much like women, carries depth, diversity, and resilience shaped by its environment. I’ve spent my life helping others build their dreams, and I realized how often women, especially women of color, were overlooked in industries that celebrate connection, creativity, and culture.
Our mission is meaningful because it bridges critical gaps: providing education and industry access, supporting maternal and healthcare needs, addressing mental health, and encouraging entrepreneurship. I know firsthand what it feels like to need just one person or one opportunity to change your life, and I wanted to build an organization that could be that hand reaching out. Women carry so much — yet are often the last to be poured into — and the Women In Wine Foundation is here to change that.
Joycelyn, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Joycelyn Dawson, and I’m a lifelong champion for entrepreneurship, creativity, and building community. My passion for small businesses and vision-building was sparked early, watching my father successfully run a restaurant, a duplex, and a laundromat in Downtown Vallejo, California. Growing up surrounded by the realities of entrepreneurship — the highs, the risks, and the resilience it demands — taught me not just to dream, but to build, nurture, and adapt.
Over the years, I’ve had the incredible honor of helping entrepreneurs turn their visions into thriving realities. I specialize in business development, brand building, and creating culturally rich, community-driven initiatives. In addition to working in the music industry alongside talents ) “Three Brown Girls” (Nicole Cooke,Kim Porter, Eboni Elektra ) Polow tha Don, Young Joc, and Keri Hilson, Freddy Cole I managed the Sam Cooke Estate for 17 years and now serve as part-owner of Hightower Legacy Records with celebrated jazz vocalist Tony Hightower.
I am most proud of founding the Women In Wine Foundation, a passion project that bridges my love for entrepreneurship, education, wellness, and advocacy. Through the Foundation, we focus on providing women with education and access to the wine industry, maternal and healthcare support, mental health resources, and entrepreneurial mentorship. We believe women are as multifaceted and resilient as wine itself — shaped by their unique environments yet limitless in their expression.
What sets me apart is my ability to listen deeply, see potential where others may not, and help people bring their dreams to life while ensuring every step is meaningful and sustainable. For anyone who connects with my work or mission, I want you to know that with the right support, perseverance, and a little creative magic, you can create something lasting and beautiful — and I’m here to help you do it.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
There have been many moments in my journey where I’ve felt like giving up. I would get so passionate about someone else’s vision that I’d put my own dreams on the back burner — only to find myself feeling depleted, unseen, and eventually slipping into depression. That cycle taught me a valuable lesson: it’s okay to take a pause, to support others with intention, but to never abandon yourself in the process. I realized the importance of setting boundaries, choosing aligned projects, and finally prioritizing me. This revelation is what led to my move to West Palm Beach — a bold step that forced me to sit with myself, rediscover my voice, and fully bet on my own vision. It’s been one of the most transformative and empowering decisions I’ve ever made.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Right after my mother passed away, my entire world shifted. My heart was shattered, and for nearly a year and a half, I was mentally and emotionally lost. I stopped working, let go of everything, and even when a friend extended an opportunity to work with her company, I couldn’t pull myself together—I just couldn’t catch it, if that makes sense. I became ashamed of myself—knowing all the gifts and vision I had, knowing what God placed inside of me, yet unable to act on it. Life began passing me by, and the mirror I faced showed me disappointment—not from anyone else, but from myself.
I realized that what I thought was grieving had turned into self-destruction. I asked myself, How can I build a foundation for women when I can’t even lift myself? That was the moment I decided to pivot—not perfectly, but intentionally. I started the work of rediscovering my worth, falling back in love with myself, and honoring my mother’s memory by not using her loss as a reason to stay small. That pivot changed everything. And now, I truly believe that it doesn’t matter what it looks like or where you are in life—it’s always okay to pivot. At any age, under any circumstance, you can choose yourself again.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.womeninwinefoundation.org
- Instagram: @womeninwinefoundation
