Iām so happy to have won my first grant! Thank you to the judges and everyone who made this possible! My mission is just beginning, LFG!!! Cheers to all of the 2025 Recipients!!
REPOST:
@brooklynbrewery
Weāre proud to announce the five winners of our Calling All Makers Grant Program - innovators, creatives, and community leaders who will each receive $10,000 to continue their inspiring work.
š·In Food & Beverage: Brenae Royal (@_cabrenae ),
founder of @VioletsParadiseWines
š¼In Entrepreneurship: Carla Scholz, founder of @SoakiTUpShop
šØIn the Arts category: @DimithryVictor , visual artist
š¶In Music: Tipa Tipo (@tipatipomusic ), a tropical soft rock band
š¢In Activism: @Wawa_Gatheru , founder of
@BlackGirlEnvironmentalist
A huge thank you to everyone who applied. It wasnāt easy choosing from such an inspiring group of talented makers - you made this decision incredibly tough (in the best way). And of course, thank you to our amazing judges (@garrettoliver , @stevekhindy ,
@laurenmartin_studio , @saidahb , and @stacylentz ) for lending their time, care, and insight throughout the selection process.
In the coming weeks, weāll be introducing each of these winners individually right here. But in the meantime, check out their Instagrams to learn more about the amazing work theyāre doing.
Raise a glass to these incredible people - we canāt wait for you to get to know them.
Tipa Tipo photo by: @mbzphotog / Tipa Tipo styled by: @bridgettekburton
Ten years feels like a really short time and a really long time. Like, I feel like Iāve accomplished a lot and then I feel like Iām just scratching the surface. Iām gonna enjoy this milestone.
In ten years though, Iāve dismantled the imposter syndrome. Iām really that girl. Iām really proud. Not in an arrogant way, but in a Iām-winning-in-a-space-that-doesnāt-look-like-me-and-anything-I-want-can-be-mine kind of way.
Thank you so much the Gallo Family and honestly the recruiters that faithful day, in February 2013 and the EIGHT person panel that interviewed me for two hours in March. I was the only one wearing a suit ššš¾.
Thank you to my friends, family, mentors, the partnerships, support teams, colleagues, the champions, the A1s, and everyone that Iām inspired by. My success has been fostered by a village.
Thank you to the Press Democrat, Sarah, and John for capturing my magic. I appreciate you all for the opportunity! #MonteRossoVineyard #Ten @lifeatgallo@whiskymuse@pressdemo@louismmartiniwinery
Oh and shout out to Apothic Red! @apothicwine
Iām outside!! What did Cardi B say?
All ticket links are in the bio! Lot of opportunities to taste the full Violetās Paradise collection, meet some wonderful people, share some new conversations and eat.
Big thank you to @rexphl , @winewhisperer_rva , @pendryhotels , @bluerockvirginia , @thewinesource , and @london.marketsf for your direct support and opportunity to build with you. Iām so appreciative!
Many thanks to my partners at @Banville too! Letās keep going šŖš¾
Links in my bio and VioletsParafise.com/upcoming š
#VioletsParadise
#Philly
#Virginia
#Baltimore
#sanfrancisco
VIRGINIA, Iām coming to see you too! Meet me at The Wine Whisperer for this full circle moment. Many do not know this but half of my family lives here and I actually spent some time growing up in Norfolk when I was younger. Itās funny how things come back around. Additionally, the team at The Wine Whisperer are some of the only people with the Violetās Paradise Cabernet Franc! Tuesday, May 19th is sure to be another special event š ticket link in my bio!
#VioletsParadise
#WineWhisperer
#Virginia
#WineTasting
Itās a really big deal for me to be launching Violetās Paradise in the Philadelphia market this week with @banvillewine and it ends with an evening at Rex at the Royal @rexphl ! The enthusiasm Iāve received so far is so humbling and to celebrate during this event with the Rex Team is not fortuitous. Thereās so much alignment and Iām so honored!
Come out and get familiar with Violetās Paradise and the legacy I continue to build! See you soon Philly!!
#VioletsParadise
#philadelphia
#banvillewinemerchants
#winetasting
#philly
Happy Motherās Day everyone and Iām gonna let yall finish but for me the real shout out this year is to all the Rich Auntie Mommas in my and Kingās life!
To the women who show up for both of us- yāall know his clothing size, what new toy obsession heās into, and when I need a couple hours to get things done. This day is for you guys too because youāre a massive part of our village š
#HappyMothersDay š
Join us for an evening of great wine, great food, and great company! Iām so excited to partner with Chef Aaron Bachoon and his team to see Violetās Paradise through his culinary lens. This limited-seating evening experience is designed to be both elegant and engaging. I cannot wait to share a glass, a conversation with you, and to enjoy the now sold-out Violetās Paradise Cabernet Franc!
Head over to the link in our bio to secure your seat today!
#VioletsParadise
#Virginia
#BlueRockInn
#RappahannockCounty
#WineDinner
Join us at Blue Rock Inn & Restaurant for a thoughtfully curated evening in collaboration with Brenae Royal, founder of Violets Paradise Wines.
Set against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this limited-seating experience will feature a four-course seasonal menu designed by Chef Aaron Bachoon, each course paired with a selection of wines from Violets Paradise.
Throughout the evening, Brenae will guide guests through each pairing, sharing insight into her wines, her process, and the inspiration behind her work. The experience is designed to be both elegant and engaging, a seamless progression of flavor, story, and setting.
Date: Friday, May 22, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Blue Rock Inn & Restaurant
Experience: Four-course dinner with curated wine pairings
Price: $175 per guest (exclusive of tax and gratuity)
Guests are invited to arrive early and enjoy the grounds or extend their evening with an overnight stay at the Inn. With limited guest rooms available, we encourage early booking for those wishing to fully experience the property.
Ticket link in our bio! We cannot wait to host you for an unforgettable evening.
Honored to be featured in Full Pour Magazineās Breaking the Barrel, and deeply grateful to be recognized alongside Cathy Corison @cathycorison , Grace Corison Martin, Rose Corison Martin, and Alicia Sylvester @a_sylvestris , women who continue to shape and move this industry forward with intent. Thereās something powerful about seeing our stories and ideals shared in the same space. @corisonwinery@frankfamilyvineyards
A special thank you to Nicole Mackay @socialsips for the feature and for creating space for stories like mine to be seen and heard in this article for Full Pour Magazine @fullpourmag
Thank you to everyone who continues to support, share, and grow with me. This is yet another chapter in a much bigger story.
#FullPourMag
#WomenInWine
#VioletsParadiseWines
#Feature
#Winegrowing
Iām so proud of everything youāre influencing at To Kalon, Val. Keep shinning girl.
Itās amazing for me to see us both doing historic things on historic vineyards š š¾šāØ
#tokalonvineyard
#blackviticulturist
#blackgirlmagic
Iām a founder, a grower, a mother, a storyteller, a brand⦠someone who creates and elevates iconic things. I enjoyed my visit back to Monte Rosso today and am looking forward to seeing what comes of it.
#MonteRossoVineyard
#Organicallyfarmedwines
#MoonMountainDistrict
#VioletsParadise
#VioletsParadiseWines
During Womenās History Month, I had the honor of returning to UC Merced for the Women Who Nourish panel hosted by @chefmitchv as part of his Food for Thought Speaker Series (follow @ucmerced and him, itās worth it).
The conversation centered on what progress in agriculture really looks like from access, barriers, and the history shaping where we are today.
Grateful to share space with incredible women doing the work:
⢠Mukethe Kawinzi ā writer, poet, goat farmer (go look her up)
⢠@calicowgirl_riz ā 2nd gen rancher creating real impact beyond cattle
⢠@benishkam ā 6th gen farmer leading in regenerative ag
⢠@nancymatsumoto ā author shaping the conversation on food, culture & identity (check out Reaping What She Sows)
Full circle moments tooāmy FFA mentor showed up, and so did my mom š
Closed the night sharing Violetās Paradise x Veraison Project Sparkling with guests š„