US Chamber of Commerce Recognizes Wine Studies Scholarship Sponsors Urban Grape with ‘Dream Big’ Small Business Award
Thanks in large part to reflecting “the core aspects of what makes businesses such a powerful source for good in their communities,” the founders of the BU Food & Wine Urban Grape Wine Studies Award for Students of Color were named the 2021 ‘Dream Big’ Small Business of the Year by the US Chamber of Commerce.
The Urban Grape’s motto is “Drink progressively,” which co-founders TJ and Hadley Douglas encourage not only through a novel approach to arranging their store’s wine in accordance with the gradients of its body weight, but also by championing endeavors like the Award for Students of Color, dedicated to bringing about a more inclusive world of wine.
Now, Urban Grape is the award-winner, with the retailer cited by the US Chamber of Commerce for its innovative business strategy, rapid growth, and commitment to community development. Still, the organization’s founders are quick to turn attention to the prized program they themselves administer, which helps break career barriers for communities that have historically been marginalized from the wine field through professional opportunities and a scholarship to MET’s four-level Certificate in Wine Studies program.
“You can’t be what you can’t see, and our hope for this program is to create access for BIPOC to the wine industry. People of color deserve a place at the table,” the Douglases said. “Through this program, we make sure that place is also set with a wine glass.”
Read more at the US Chamber of Commerce website.