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Every Saturday at 4:00pmAbout the Show
Urban Connections
Urban Connections conducts guest interviews covering issues effecting our local, national, international and global communities from a Black perspective. Subjects include current events, trends, history, education, economics, science, political science, health, race, law and more.
Winemaker Phil Long is the president of the Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) and the founder of Longevity Wines, a brand based on his love affair with his wife, Debra who succumbed to pancreatic cancer in 2019.
Like many people of color in the wine industry today, Phil had no idea wine could be a career when he was younger. He was born in Washington, DC, grew up in Southern California and graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a degree in architecture. Phil used his artistic skill to build a successful career in packaging and store display design before becoming a winemaker. He was named president of AAAV in January 2020 and is devoted to elevating awareness of African Americans in the wine industry and paving paths to wine careers for all minorities.
Founded in 2002, Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) is a 501 (C) (6) Non-Profit organization formed to:
a) Increase the quality of wine communications to all, and to grow awareness of the Association of African American Vintners.
b) Foster a spirit of cooperation among all growers, wineries and industry groups.
c) Develop a sense of community among members of the organization through friendly and informal networking and social functions.
d) Increase awareness of diversity in the wine industry to all wine consumers, through public events showcasing AAAV member wines.
e) Facilitate access to relevant viticulture, enological and related information through sharing among members.
AAAV was founded by three vintners: Dr. Ernie Bates (formerly Black Coyote), Vance Sharp (formerly Sharp Cellars), Mac McDonald, AAAV Chair, (winemaker and owner Vision Cellars). Per Chairman McDonald, AAAV “…was the first organization to create a network of African American winemakers and foster a culture of inclusion and cooperation among people of color in the wine industry.” https://www.aaavintners.org/
Host/producer/engineer: Donna Morrow Wolfe
Co-host: Karen E. Griffin
