In the News |
Check out news stories that have featured us. Are you interested in featuring Sipping Black Only in your publication or broadcast program? Do you need a resource or subject matter expert on Black-owned beverages or the importance of buying Black? Contact us.
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A Good Time and Good Business | Wine News Noir
April 1, 2023
April 1, 2023
You can also view the full episode here. Our portion begins at 5:35.
Community Highlights: Meet Demetra Harris, Brandi Neloms, and Julian Harris of Sipping Black Only | Voyage Raleigh
March 28, 2023
Today we’d like to introduce you to Demetra Harris, Brandi Neloms, and Julian Harris. Hello Demetra Harris, Brandi Neloms, and Julian Harris. We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today. Can you start by introducing yourself? We have supported Black-owned businesses on purpose for as long as we’ve been making our own purchasing decisions. From our service providers to the restaurants we frequent, it’s important to us that we invest in Black business owners. Alcohol consumption rose among adults 30 and older by 14% during the pandemic. Whether happy or sad, whether in groups or on the couch solo – many of life’s moments involve alcoholic beverages. That certainly held in the early days of the pandemic as we each drank independently and held wine nights with friends to cope.
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March 28, 2023
Today we’d like to introduce you to Demetra Harris, Brandi Neloms, and Julian Harris. Hello Demetra Harris, Brandi Neloms, and Julian Harris. We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today. Can you start by introducing yourself? We have supported Black-owned businesses on purpose for as long as we’ve been making our own purchasing decisions. From our service providers to the restaurants we frequent, it’s important to us that we invest in Black business owners. Alcohol consumption rose among adults 30 and older by 14% during the pandemic. Whether happy or sad, whether in groups or on the couch solo – many of life’s moments involve alcoholic beverages. That certainly held in the early days of the pandemic as we each drank independently and held wine nights with friends to cope.
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Welcome Black Community Founders: Brandi Neloms, Demetra & Julian Harris | Black Business Ally
March 6, 2023
I had the honor of sitting down (virtually, of course) with three trailblazers who are heeding the call to help Black business owners reach new heights. Demetra, Julian, and Brandi share a vision to “elevate the black experience - one cork, one pour, one sip at a time”. As a husband and wife team, Demetra & Julian have been supporting all things black-owned for years. From their doctors, dentists, and optometrist to much of what they fill their home with; they do business with black businesses. Demetra, Founder & CEO, as a lover of food and wine, began to seek out black-owned beverage companies. To her pleasant surprise there were many, but too many that she hadn’t ever heard of and that didn’t sit well with her.
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March 6, 2023
I had the honor of sitting down (virtually, of course) with three trailblazers who are heeding the call to help Black business owners reach new heights. Demetra, Julian, and Brandi share a vision to “elevate the black experience - one cork, one pour, one sip at a time”. As a husband and wife team, Demetra & Julian have been supporting all things black-owned for years. From their doctors, dentists, and optometrist to much of what they fill their home with; they do business with black businesses. Demetra, Founder & CEO, as a lover of food and wine, began to seek out black-owned beverage companies. To her pleasant surprise there were many, but too many that she hadn’t ever heard of and that didn’t sit well with her.
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Women-Owned Company Creating Equity in the Beverage Industry | Black in eCommerce
March 2, 2023
March is Women's History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women throughout history. In honor of this month, we want to highlight the incredible work of Sipping Black Only, a women-owned company that is creating equity in the beverage industry by providing a platform for Black-owned beverage brands and their founders to be uplifted while shifting popular culture to prefer products reflective of Black culture.
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March 2, 2023
March is Women's History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women throughout history. In honor of this month, we want to highlight the incredible work of Sipping Black Only, a women-owned company that is creating equity in the beverage industry by providing a platform for Black-owned beverage brands and their founders to be uplifted while shifting popular culture to prefer products reflective of Black culture.
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Winner Announced for the 2023 #SipBlack Emerging Entrepreneur Grant, Presented by Sipping Black Only
January 16, 2023
Sipping Black Only brings in the new year announcing the winner of its inaugural #SipBlack Emerging Entrepreneur Grant. Finalists were selected via an open call for nominations, which were then vetted by the Sipping Black Only team and a panel of judges. Sipping Black Only pledges 5% of its annual revenue to be given as a non-equity cash grant to an emerging Black beverage brand owner who exhibits the potential to grow into a sustaining brand. The grant is intended to provide financial assistance, increased exposure, and long-term support for Black-owned small businesses. The 2023 grant winner is Michaela Teasley, founder of Tally Kombucha Co.
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January 16, 2023
Sipping Black Only brings in the new year announcing the winner of its inaugural #SipBlack Emerging Entrepreneur Grant. Finalists were selected via an open call for nominations, which were then vetted by the Sipping Black Only team and a panel of judges. Sipping Black Only pledges 5% of its annual revenue to be given as a non-equity cash grant to an emerging Black beverage brand owner who exhibits the potential to grow into a sustaining brand. The grant is intended to provide financial assistance, increased exposure, and long-term support for Black-owned small businesses. The 2023 grant winner is Michaela Teasley, founder of Tally Kombucha Co.
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Bottoms up: A toast to Black-owned beverages | The Charlotte Post
December 29, 2022 Supporting Black-owned businesses led Brandi Neloms and Demetra Harris to launch Sipping Black Only in 2021. “You have to consume liquid to survive,” Harris said. “Imagine supporting Black-owned businesses to help you in everyday life.” Sipping Black Only is a community of Black-owned beverage brands committed to amplifying Blackness “one cork, one pour, and one sip at a time” in Charlotte and beyond. The consulting company works with businesses who sell water, coffee, tea, wine, liquor, rum, spirits— you name it. The two women started off as friends first, meeting from mutual friend groups prior to going into business together. Read More |
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Should you go into business with a friend? Two Charlotte entrepreneurs weigh in. | QCity Metro
October 9, 2022
If you’re like most entrepreneurs, you have probably pondered what it might be like to go into business with a friend. After all, if you get along well personally, how hard could it be to join forces to lead a profitable business? Indeed, entrepreneurship with your best pal can be a rewarding experience, and two Queen City entrepreneurs are a great example of that. In 2020, after six years of friendship, Brandi Neloms and Demetra Harris launched Sipping Black Only, a community of Black-owned beverage enthusiasts committed to elevating Blackness one cork, one pour and one sip at a time. I recently asked the duo to share their individual glimpses into their journey as friends and business partners.
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October 9, 2022
If you’re like most entrepreneurs, you have probably pondered what it might be like to go into business with a friend. After all, if you get along well personally, how hard could it be to join forces to lead a profitable business? Indeed, entrepreneurship with your best pal can be a rewarding experience, and two Queen City entrepreneurs are a great example of that. In 2020, after six years of friendship, Brandi Neloms and Demetra Harris launched Sipping Black Only, a community of Black-owned beverage enthusiasts committed to elevating Blackness one cork, one pour and one sip at a time. I recently asked the duo to share their individual glimpses into their journey as friends and business partners.
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Exploring Life & Business with Brandi Neloms, Demetra and Julian Harris | VoyageATL
September 14, 2022
One night, with a glass of wine in hand, Demetra wondered out loud about whether there were any Black-owned wines we could try. The answer to their question was a resounding “yes” as we learned that there are hundreds of Black-owned wine brands. With a bit more research, we’ve learned that that holds true across most categories of beverages. Brandi swapped the coffee she drank daily with a Black-owned brand, and Julian did the same with his nightly glass of whiskey.
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September 14, 2022
One night, with a glass of wine in hand, Demetra wondered out loud about whether there were any Black-owned wines we could try. The answer to their question was a resounding “yes” as we learned that there are hundreds of Black-owned wine brands. With a bit more research, we’ve learned that that holds true across most categories of beverages. Brandi swapped the coffee she drank daily with a Black-owned brand, and Julian did the same with his nightly glass of whiskey.
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Wine, Wealth, and Tea Podcast with Sipping Black Only creators Brandi and Demetra | Let's Parlare with Chrissy
September 9, 2022
This conversation explores the grassroots business of Sipping Black Only and how their passion for Black owned beverages are shaping communities one sip at a time.
Watch
September 9, 2022
This conversation explores the grassroots business of Sipping Black Only and how their passion for Black owned beverages are shaping communities one sip at a time.
Watch
Sipping Black Only and How Black-Owned Brands Bring Value to On-Premise Venues | Bar and Restaurant
September 1, 2022
Demetra Harris and Brandi Neloms, believe on-premise operators, Black-owned beverage brands and beverage consumers can connect through education and word-of-mouth activism.
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September 1, 2022
Demetra Harris and Brandi Neloms, believe on-premise operators, Black-owned beverage brands and beverage consumers can connect through education and word-of-mouth activism.
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'Sipping with Friends' Celebrates Black-Owned Beverage Businesses This Weekend | Dallas Observer
September 23, 2021
Fort Worth-native and founder of Sipping Black Only, Demetra Harris, is hosting a series of events this weekend in North Texas. Sipping with Friends aims to promote Black-owned beverage brands with a variety of tastings and meet-and-greets.
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September 23, 2021
Fort Worth-native and founder of Sipping Black Only, Demetra Harris, is hosting a series of events this weekend in North Texas. Sipping with Friends aims to promote Black-owned beverage brands with a variety of tastings and meet-and-greets.
Read More
Sipping Black Only, Vol. 7 | Who Got Next Podcast
June 24, 2021
We all like to drink, right? I mean who doesn't like to have a drink? Ok, that's a better way of putting it. Now let me speak directly to US. Do you make it your duty to find brands that are created by US? You know what I mean too.
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June 24, 2021
We all like to drink, right? I mean who doesn't like to have a drink? Ok, that's a better way of putting it. Now let me speak directly to US. Do you make it your duty to find brands that are created by US? You know what I mean too.
Read More
From networking to national exposure: Promoting Black-owned brands | Spectrum News One
May 17, 2021
A 2021 survey by Guidant Financial shows a large percentage of Black entrepreneurs are using their own savings to finance a new small business. This makes it difficult to advertise and promote a product enough to gain a national audience.
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May 17, 2021
A 2021 survey by Guidant Financial shows a large percentage of Black entrepreneurs are using their own savings to finance a new small business. This makes it difficult to advertise and promote a product enough to gain a national audience.
Read More
“Normalize buying Black” with these 8 Black-owned beverage brands | Axios Charlotte
April 7, 2021
Black entrepreneurs are underrepresented in the beverage industry. Sipping Black Only aims to change that. Why it matters: Black business owners have a harder time gaining capital and getting their brands into stores, the SBO network helps brands overcome those obstacles. Plus, the group is a great place for aspiring brand owners to network.
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April 7, 2021
Black entrepreneurs are underrepresented in the beverage industry. Sipping Black Only aims to change that. Why it matters: Black business owners have a harder time gaining capital and getting their brands into stores, the SBO network helps brands overcome those obstacles. Plus, the group is a great place for aspiring brand owners to network.
Read More
Intentionally elevating Blackness one cork, one pour, and one sip at a time.