The Event will Benefit Inclusivity for Communities of Color in the Wine and Spirits Industry
New York, NY (October 23, 2024) – The Roots Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing inclusivity in the wine and spirits industry, will host their third annual The Roots Fund Charity Auction on October 28th at Crown Club at Barclays Center. The event will be supported by premiere auction house Zachys
for the third year and BSE Global, parent company of the Brooklyn Nets, New York Liberty, Barclays Center and Brooklyn Wine Club, which announced a multi-year donation to The Roots Fund in 2023. Additional support for the evening will come from sponsors Louis Roederer and Grand Cru Selections.
Event tickets are available online, starting at $525. In addition, the online auction, featuring wines and experiences donated by world-renowned estates and wineries from all around the world, is now open here through October 30th
The four-course dinner will feature food prepared by respected New York chefs Chef Charlie Mitchell and Chef Emily Hall of Kent Hospitality Group, Chef Bun Cheam of Red Hook Tavern, and Chef Livio Velardo of Crown Club.
The evening, which has become a must-attend for the beverage industry, is an opportunity to interact wine industry icons and winemakers including Jean-Marc Roulot, Dominique LaFon, Frédéric Savart, Thibaud Clerget, Piero Incisa, and Guillaume d’Angerville.
In addition, The Roots Fund will be presenting their new “It was All a Dream” Jamal Kent Hospitality Scholarship, in honor of the late chef and restaurateur Jamal (James) Kent who was an early champion of the organization. The scholarship will be awarded twice a year to BIPOC hospitality workers who are looking to advance their education in wine and spirits. The Kent Hospitality Group will be involved in selecting the recipients.
Key moments of the evening include:
● The night will be presented in the spirit of La Paulée de Meursault, a Burgudian harvest party for the local community. Guests are encouraged to bring wine from their cellars to share with other diners.
● Wine & Hip Hop’s Jermaine Stone will serve as host for the evening.
● The sommelier team for the evening will be led by Roots Fund scholars.
● Live auction, led by auctioneers Jermaine Stone and Zachys’ Charles Antin.
● The organization will present the annual “Making an Impact” award.
Proceeds from the event and the online auction, both hosted by Zachys, will directly support The Roots Fund mission, which is focused on securing a pathway for the BIPOC community in wine through financial support for education, mentorship, and job placement opportunities. This annual fundraiser will allow The Roots Fund to expand their educational services in wine.
BSE Global, the Brooklyn Nets, and New York Liberty Foundation are dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals of all ages by focusing on health, wellness, and creating a more equitable society. They are pleased to support the important work of The Roots Fund which is expanding access for communities of color in the wine industry and thereby creating a more inclusive beverage industry.
About The Roots Fund
The Roots Fund is a nonprofit organization created to empower minorities in the wine & spirits industry by providing resources and financial support. We provide educational scholarships, mentorship, and career pathways. Roots Fund is committed to investing into communities of color in order to bring opportunities to those seeking a career in wine & spirits. For more information and to learn how you can help, visit www.therootsfund.org.
