THE ROOTS FUND WELCOMES JEREMY SEYSSES TO THE BOARD, AFTER THEIR FIRST ANNIVERSARY
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE POND…
Napa Valley, California (July 12, 2021) -The Roots Fund Incorporated was created to empower communities of color by providing financial support through educational scholarships, mentorship, and job placement services. The board of directors is proud to announce Jeremy Seysses of Domaine Dujac, as the newest addition to our board, focused on creating new spaces in wine. One of Jeremy’s biggest joys in the wine profession is the power of wine to bring people together and foster connection. Everyone should feel welcomed into the big family that we find in wine. When asked why the work of The Roots Fund is important? Jeremy stated, “The Roots Fund has set out ambitious goals to bring more diversity to the wine business in all of its breadth, from winery to restaurants, from logistics to accounting department and beyond. This is how you go about changing the industry and having a meaningful impact. I look forward to working with the Roots Fund and doing my part in helping build a more diverse and equitable wine industry. I think this will make the business I love infinitely richer and better.”
Jeremy became involved with the Roots Fund in June of 2020. He contacted his friend, Carlton McCoy, as he became increasingly aware of the many barriers that people of color, especially Black people are faced with throughout their lives and in the wine industry.
“The Roots Fund didn’t reinvent the wheel, we just created a community network to allow our people to prosper”
On this anniversary, The Roots Fund has 81 scholars to date covering every aspect of wine from certifications to winemakers, to those in the wine business. “It’s not that people of color aren’t capable, they just needed access and support in the industry. The Roots Fund didn’t reinvent the wheel, we just created a community network to allow our people to prosper. The non-profit operates with a measure of accountability, not only for our scholars but for the people we do business with.” says The Roots Fund Executive Director and Co-Founder, Ikimi Dubose.
The Roots Fund provided scholarships this year through Napa Valley Wine Academy, Capital Wine School, and The Elliot Wine School for WSET certifications to name a few. They also funded educational opportunities for top enology college programs such as UC Davis and Walla Walla Community College, which range from undergrad to Master’s degree students. Each scholar is mandated to have a mentor in The Roots Fund program. Currently, The Roots Fund has over 100 hundred mentors committed to their vision. Mentors are from major wine groups such as Constellation, Moet and Hennessy, and Sotheby's to name a few. The program focuses on organic relationships. Mentors provide guidance for advancement in wine and their gaining knowledge from the mentees sharing their personal experiences in the industry. As their job platform prepares to launch, the organization will focus on new vetting techniques to match the best scholars with the best jobs.
“We set out to create actionable change throughout the industry. The Roots Fund has created a level of support that has brought growth amongst communities of color in wine,” says Co-Founder, and Master sommelier Carlton McCoy.
This September, The Roots Fund will officially launch the Rooted In France scholarship, in partnership with Domaine Dujac & Burgundy School of Business. Creating these opportunities not only assists with wine education but will create a cultural immersion experience. “Jeremy has been a facilitator in creating change across the pond, he understands the assignment,” says Dubose, Executive Director of Roots Fund. TRF deeply appreciates this opportunity with the Burgundy School of Business who has committed to creating more inclusive spaces.
“As a French-American dual citizen, I also see this as an opportunity to reinforce the connection between those two countries with transatlantic friendships and cultural exchanges,” Jeremy Seysses champions the charge.
The Roots Fund recaps the year in work with Co-founder and CEO of Hue Society, Tahiirah Habibi said it best, “I’m proud that we created a new standard of equity on our terms.”
