WeRise Wines: Fostering Community and Generational Wealth Through Diverse Vintages

A recent networking mixer held on the picturesque rooftop of The State Hotel in downtown Seattle highlighted the mission of WeRise Wines to foster community and create generational wealth through diverse wine selections. The event, featuring WeRise Wines, brought together professionals and locals for an afternoon of connection and discovery.

Jamila Conley, CEO and founder of WeRise Wines, shared the inspiration behind her venture. As an ex-tech executive, she "wanted to do something to drive better impacts back to the community and help create generational wealth." Her journey began when she noticed a lack of diversity in the wine industry, rarely seeing black wineries or wine makers on the shelves in the grocery store or Total Wine. This observation spurred her to create a platform that brings small and diverse wineries “to the city, to the communities, communities of color, queer communities, so they can learn about wine makers and enjoy wine from people that look like them."

Nine months after opening, WeRise Wines has achieved remarkable milestones, including hosting events with figures like the former governor and witnessing heartfelt reactions from customers. Conley said watching other women of color discover new aspects of winemaking  resonates deeply with her own experience, recalling the "wow" moment when she first tried a wine from a Black woman.

When selecting wines for an event, Conley emphasizes understanding the community, the desired storytelling, and the educational aspect. For this specific mixer, targeting professionals with a mixed crowd, she aimed for "a little bit of something for everyone" and "some surprises." The standout surprise of the evening was a Chardonnay from South Africa, made by a Black woman winemaker. Beyond the taste, the wine served as an educational tool, with many attendees expressing their excitement and amazement about trying wine directly from South Africa. 

Terrell Kelly, owner of V84 Solutions credited Jamila Conley as his primary reason for attending, calling her his sister and mentor. He praised the event's energy, highlighting it as "one of the few Black-owned businesses in Seattle to where other black people, other people of color… could feel comfortable in attending.” Kelly also emphasized the need for "more spaces that allow for blackness to congregate," not just for "upbeat energy vibe but the professional vibe, the networking vibe, the nerd vibe."

Naabasi, an attendee who works in wine and community impact commended The State Hotel for its incredible views, and praised WeRise Wines for their products. She stressed the importance of supporting businesses like WeRise Wines. “Being able to support small businesses and being able to support Black-owned businesses like it makes a big difference,” she said. “Being able to build that community and help them grow and support them…it's huge."

The rooftop mixer at The State Hotel served as a testament to WeRise Wines' commitment to offering unique wine experiences while building a stronger, more connected community in Seattle.

Visit werisewines.com to learn more about WeRise and future events happening at the bar. 

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