What’s happening: It was early February when the
Michigan Wine Collaborative released
The DREAM Wine, a custom white blend from the Traverse City-headquartered nonprofit that would take a portion of the proceeds from each bottle sold to help fund its new Inclusion and Expansion Education Fund. The fruits of their labor must be paying off, as the MWC has now opened the window for the Inclusion and Expansion Education Fund Scholarship application process.
What it is: The Inclusion and Expansion Education Fund Scholarship will offer funding, mentorship support, and industry support to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students hoping to start their careers in Michigan’s wine industry. The scholarship will help students with their enrollment costs, study supplies, and/or aid in cost-of-living expenses throughout their wine, viticulture, and/or hospitality studies.
How to apply: Students have until Monday, May 15, to apply for the scholarship, the application for which
can be found online. Further information for the inaugural program is available
via this online outline. Recipients will be announced at the 2023 Michigan Governor’s Cup in June 2023.
Why it’s important: “The DREAM Project is an important step in the unification of the Michigan wine industry providing opportunity and awareness to all people and a starting point for universal access to what Michigan wine offers in both employment and enjoyment of Michigan wine for all people,” Chuck Jackson said at the time of the DREAM Wine’s release. Jackson is chairman of the MWC’s Inclusion and Expansion Committee and owner of Domaine Detroit Brands.
Who they are: The MWC features a volunteer board of directors made up of representatives from wineries from throughout the state. The volunteer collaborative was formed by Michigan wineries after the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council transitioned to the Michigan Craft Beverage Council, filling the gap that the transition created.
Got a development news story to share? Email MJ Galbraith here or send him a tweet @mikegalbraith.
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