Auction closed October 2024

The Roots Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing inclusivity in the wine and spirits industry, hosted their third annual The Roots Fund Charity Auction on October 28th at the Crown Club at the Barclays Center. The event was supported by premiere auction house Zachys for the third year and BSE Global, parent company of the Brooklyn Nets, New York Liberty, and Barclays Center, which announced a multi-year donation to The Roots Fund in 2023. Additional support for the evening came from sponsors Louis Roederer and Grand Cru Selections.

The night was presented in the spirit of La Paulée de Meursault, a Burgundian harvest party for the local community. Guests were encouraged to bring wine from their cellars to share with other diners. The sommelier team for the evening was led by Roots Fund scholars. A live auction, led by auctioneers Jermaine Stone and Zachys’ Charles Antin. The organization presented the annual “Making an Impact” award.

Proceeds from the event and the online auction, both hosted by Zachys, directly supported The Roots Fund’s mission, which focuses on securing a pathway for underrepresented communities in wine & spirits through financial support for education, mentorship, and job placement opportunities. This annual fundraiser allowed The Roots Fund to expand their educational services in wine.

BSE Global, the Brooklyn Nets, and the 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 were 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.

Grand Cru Selections were a monumental force in sustaining our work in 2024. They were financial supporters and major connectors in wine.

Event tickets were 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, was open through October 30th.

The four-course dinner featured food prepared by respected New York chefs Chef Charlie Mitchell, Chef Emily Hall, Chef Inida Norris of Kent Hospitality Group, Chef Bun Cheam of Red Hook Tavern, and Chef Livio Velardo of the Crown Club. The evening, which has become a must-attend for the beverage industry, was an opportunity to interact with wine industry icons and winemakers who were in attendance, including Jean-Marc Roulot, Dominique LaFon, Frédéric Savart, Thibaud Clerget, Piero Incisa, and Guillaume d’Angerville.

In addition, The Roots Fund presented 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 is awarded twice a year to BIPOC hospitality workers looking to advance their education in wine and spirits. The Kent Hospitality Group was involved in selecting the recipients.