Photo Courtsey Robert Stewart/Capital News Service
Campbell and her father, Wayne Narcisso, pause outside of the Cheverly Community Market on Sept. 7. Campbell credits her father for the family’s winemaking passion.
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Black Women Winemakers Are Breaking Tough Ground in Maryland
By ROBERT STEWART
Capital News Service
LANDOVER, Md. (Sept. 13, 2024)—Cyndi Campbell and her sister, Dalia Chambers, are working hard these days. Winemaking is laborious, weather dependent and replete with regulations, and it costs a pretty penny to start up.
But the two winery owners have got some help—other Black women owners who are also making headway in a tough industry. It’s an informal network where the women encourage and serve as a resource for each other.
“I always joke that we’re a rounding error,” said Campbell, citing the fractional percentage of black-owned, women-owned wineries.
There are about 100 wineries and vineyards in the state of Maryland, less than ten of them Black-owned, according to Kimberly T. Johnson, a winery owner and current president of the Maryland Wineries Association. Nationally, more like 1 percent of the vineyards and wineries have Black owners, according to the Association of African American Vintners.
Last year was a big year for the group. Campbell and her sister, based in Landover, officially launched the boutique winery, Narcisso Wine Cellar, a year after harvesting the grapes needed for their seven different wines. Boyd Cru Wines, a family-owned winery in Poolesville, also opened its doors. CEO Jon’ll Boyd said she also found out that year that the company’s wines would be sold in Target. Today, Boyd Cru has broken into two big chains and several stores in Washington D.C. and Maryland.
Clyopatra Winery & Vineyard opened the tasting room of its Black-owned commercial vineyard. Ifeoma Cleopatra Onyia owns the Laurel-based operation. (Her legal name is spelled differently than that of her vineyard brand.)
“When it comes to Black owners, we are the pioneers,” said Onyia, who believes that creating a winery and vineyard as a business is one way to create Black generational wealth. She would like to see Maryland do better at marketing its wine. “Not only do we have wineries, but we produce really great quality wines,” she said.
For Campbell, setting up a winery was not easy at first. “You feel kind of isolated sometimes,” said Campbell. From navigating paperwork to planning distribution of the wine, Campbell believes networking is key.
“You can’t do this on your own,” she said, “you need to collaborate.”
She said that’s why she got involved with the Maryland Wineries Association, a trade association representing the network of wineries all over the state.
Among its many other functions, the wineries association is a resource for helping new wineries figure out how to navigate the red tape and network with others in the field. The association also hosts several events and festivals including the Maryland Wine Festival, like their September event in Westminster.
Through the statewide association Campbell was able to meet other Black women owners. One of them reached out and invited her to get together, she said.
Earlier this month several of the women gathered at the tasting room at Oniya’s winery. They sampled each other’s wine and talked about business, she said.
Tia Clarke, based in Upper Marlboro, owns a wholesale wine business, Roman Clarke Wines. Clarke learned about the small group through Boyd. For Clarke, the group has helped her understand more about business models. Clarke aspires to get what is known as a Class 4 winery license, which means completing paperwork and ensuring at least 51% of her product is sourced from Maryland agriculture.
About five years ago, Kimberly T. Johnson and her business partner Denise Roles Matthews opened Philosophy Winery & Vineyard, breaking new ground as a Black- and woman-owned winery. They soon began winning statewide awards.
Philosophy has helped to pave the way for others, said Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks.
“Sometimes it takes one to do it,” he said. “It illustrates to others that they can enter the space.”
Dealing with the costs
While starting a winery is expensive, starting a vineyard is even more so. The vines take years to grow before the vineyard owner can produce wine, potentially meaning years of not breaking even.
One way wineries like Campbell’s are circumventing the steep financial barrier to entry is by entering into business with established vineyards. They buy the grapes but create their own recipes to make their own wines.
For the vineyard owner, the agreement is about income and the quality of the Maryland wine. Roy and Judy Crow are owners of Crow Vineyard & Winery in Kennedyville, on Maryland’s agriculturally rich Eastern Shore.
“It helps with the local economy and helps the people that live and work here,” said Roy Crow. He said it’s good for the Maryland wine ecosystem if new businesses like Narcisso Wine Cellar have access to good-quality Maryland grapes.
Judy Crow said that’s also good for the reputation of the Maryland “terroir,” or the wine terrain.
“We want Maryland to be a destination where people can come and explore Maryland and enjoy the wines like they do in California,” she said. “Look at how the industry has taken off in California for tourism and restaurants and all around grapes. Virginia is the same way.”
Atticks said the growing diversity of Maryland wineries expands the market and the reach of a quality product.
“We’ve just expanded the tent. We’ve opened the wine shop a little bit further,” said Atticks. “Black consumers are seeing themselves in these winemakers for the first time, and that’s good for the industry. And that’s great for the community.”
Back in Prince George’s County, Campbell knows all about expanding the reach of Maryland wine. Before she and her sister launched the business, they did a series of focus groups and taste-testing sessions to help them better understand what people in the area would drink.
Erika Rodgers, an accountant based in Washington D.C., attended some of the tasting sessions. Rodgers said the session helped her develop a sense of the kinds of wine she likes.
“I definitely feel like they provide a ton of information for you to feel comfortable drinking and buying wine,” said Rodgers. “It makes me appreciate wine.”
As for Campbell, she has several events lined up throughout the fall. She wants to continue introducing new consumers to wine and educating them about the product.
“For us, it’s just really guiding people through and enjoying our wines,” said Campbell, “feeling more comfortable with that, making wine more approachable.”
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Latinas in Aviation Global Festival Wins 2024 AASLH Award of Excellence
By PRESS OFFICER
M-NCPPC
Riverdale, Md. (Sept. 13, 2024)—The M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, College Park Aviation Museum is the proud recipient of an Award of Excellence for its Latinas in Aviation Global Festival. The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) Leadership in History Award is the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history.
This groundbreaking festival unites Latinas from the aviation industry, allowing them to share their unique journeys and experiences. Inspired by the publication of the book “Latinas in Aviation” in 2020, the festival aims to bridge the gap between the museum and its local Latino community. The women participate in mentoring circles with community, donate aviation objects to the museum’s permanent collection, and much more. The event fosters experimentation and creativity that bring together people from various backgrounds and industries—including history, modern aviation, museums, and a community that didn’t see themselves represented.
“The College Park Aviation Museum is proud to be recognized for the important and necessary community engagement work it is doing to impact our underrepresented communities,” states former Museum Director, Kevin Cabrera.
Jackie Ruiz, founder of the Latinas in Aviation brand and museum collaborator states, “It is such an honor to have collaborated with the College Park Aviation Museum in the annual Latinas in Aviation Global Festival. For four years, we have shared the inspiration of books, scholarships, community events and impact in our communities. It is a pleasure to partner with the museum to share the inspiration of Latinas in Aviation and for the museum to be recognized with such a great honor for our work together.”
The AASLH awards program was initiated in 1945 to establish and encourage standards of excellence in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of state and local history throughout the United States. The awards not only honor significant achievement in the field of state and local history, but also bring public recognition of the opportunities for small and large organizations, institutions, and programs to make contributions in this arena. For more information about the Leadership in History Awards, visit aaslh.org.
With over 28,000 acres of parkland, trails, athletic fields, playgrounds and more, the M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County provides an award-winning park system through progressive, quality, innovative leadership and a commitment to its community and environment. The Department delivers first-class recreational activities and programs for people of all ages and ability levels. It strives to improve the quality of life for residents in Prince George’s County and the communities in which they live, work, and raise families. The Department’s Formula 2040 Plan establishes a framework that will assure the Department can meet future parks and recreation programmatic and facility needs, fulfilling its mission to determine the combination of land, facilities and programs that will provide appropriate experiences for Prince Georgians in the future. To learn more, visit www.pgparks.com.
The American Association for State and Local History is a not-for-profit professional organization of individuals and institutions working to preserve and promote history. From its headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, AASLH provides leadership, service, and support for its members who preserve and interpret state and local history in order to make the past more meaningful to all people. AASLH publishes books, technical publications, a quarterly magazine, and maintains numerous affinity communities and committees serving a broad range of constituents across the historical community. The association also sponsors an annual meeting, regional and national training in-person workshops, and online training.
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City of District Heights Distributes Over 300 Uniforms to Local Elementary Schools
By PRESS OFFICER
The City of District Heights
District Heights, Md. (Sept. 17, 2024)—In a continued effort to support local students and ensure they are equipped for the new academic year, the City of District Heights proudly announces the distribution of school uniforms to students at District Heights Elementary, North Forestville Elementary, and Longfields Elementary Schools.
This initiative, led by the partnership between the City of District Heights and N’Style Hair Grooming’s nonprofit, C.U.T (Cultivating Unlimited Talent), reflects the City’s ongoing commitment to fostering education, equity, and community support. With the school year underway, this timely effort ensures that students are ready to focus on learning while alleviating the financial burden that purchasing uniforms can place on families.
“We are thrilled to be able to provide uniforms to our local students,” said Cynthia Miller, Mayor of District Heights. “This initiative is about much more than clothing; it’s about ensuring that every child in our community feels confident and ready to succeed as they return to school. Education is a pillar of our city’s growth, and we are proud to invest in our future leaders.”
The distribution of over 300 uniforms to District Heights Elementary, North Forestville Elementary, and Longfields Elementary aims to create a level playing field for students while enhancing school pride and unity.
“We’ve talked to the students about the importance of uniforms and what that represents,” added Ryan Richardson, Assistant Principal at North Forestville Elementary. “It represents that we’re all one team. With these uniforms, we’ll have the opportunity to support some families who might be in need.”
“The partnership that we have with the City of District Heights and N’Style has been such a tremendous help for our scholars,” said Jocelyn Casarrubias, Community School Coordinator at District Heights Elementary. “It gives our families and students one less thing to worry about, and [it allows the students to] concentrate on their academic successes. We could not continue to help our students without the support of our amazing partners.”
The City of District Heights remains committed to initiatives that uplift and strengthen the community, especially through programs that prioritize the well-being and success of its youngest residents. The uniform distribution program is just one of many ways the city aims to support education and local schools.
“It’s rewarding to know that we can help these kids by supplying uniforms,” said Nate Crittenden, owner of N’Style Hair Grooming. “To further support them, we will be providing haircuts and styling at their schools once a month.”
For more information on this initiative or other community programs, email publicaffairs@districtheights.org. For more information on N’Style and C.U.T., email management@nstylehg.com.
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Hogan and Alsobrooks Battle for Jewish Voters
By JACK BOWMAN
Capital News Service
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Sept. 19, 2024)—Republican Larry Hogan is looking to peel off Democratic-leaning Jewish voters in his race for the U.S. Senate seat in Maryland, as the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict nears its one-year anniversary on Oct. 7.
“The governor has said that he’s looking to win the Jewish vote in this election,” Michael Ricci, a spokesperson for former Gov. Hogan, told Capital News Service. “It’s a big point of emphasis for him every day, and not just because it’s about winning votes.”
In the lead-up to the election, Hogan has spoken to Jewish community groups, posted on social media and released official campaign statements that support Israel and Maryland’s Jewish community.
But leading Democratic officials argue that the Republican play for Jewish voters is a calculated political move, meant to drive a wedge between Democrats and this constituency.
“It’s pretty clear that some of the candidates would like to make that a wedge, but I don’t think they will be successful,” U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, told CNS in an exclusive interview. He argued that both candidates for Maryland’s open Senate seat, Hogan and Democratic nominee Angela Alsobrooks, strongly support Israel’s right to defend itself, as does he.
Alsobrooks provided a statement to CNS via a spokesperson but her campaign did not grant a request for an interview with her or her staff.
The two candidates face different paths to winning the race. As a Republican, Hogan is free to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict without worrying about alienating progressives increasingly concerned with the human toll in Gaza. Alsobrooks, on the other hand, faces the challenge of holding together an ideologically diverse Democratic coalition, reaching out to all Jewish voters as well as to progressives.
The Hogan campaign’s focus on Jewish voters represents an effort to pull from a generally strong Democratic base. According to the Pew Research Center, 71% of Jewish adults in the U.S. leaned towards or identified with the Democratic Party in a survey conducted between 2019 and 2020.
Democrats dominate voting in Maryland, where President Joe Biden beat Donald Trump by more than 33 points, taking home 65.4% of the state’s votes to Trump’s 32.2%. But recent polls suggest this race might be much tighter than that.
“I still think that the county executive [Alsobrooks] will win the majority of the Jewish vote,” said Ron Halber, chief executive officer of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington. “But, like I’ve said to others, it’s whether she’s going to win 55% or 85%.”
Still, Hogan is trying. He has repeatedly expressed support for Israel and its right to defend itself, making it a key part of his campaign platform.
In a March 2024 address to the JCRC, which represents Jewish organizations, synagogues and agencies, Hogan took aim at demonstrations in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attacks that killed about 1,200 in Israel.
“[The protests] are attacking the legitimacy of the world’s only Jewish state and its right to defend itself,” Hogan said.
Hogan, in the same address, also said, “Maryland needs a pro-Israel champion in the United States Senate.”
Another way Hogan has sought support in the Jewish community is through emphasizing his track record as governor. In addressing the JCRC, Hogan spoke of his trade mission to Israel in 2016 and his enactment of an executive order in 2023 that prohibited Maryland agencies from entering contracts with businesses unless the businesses certify that they will not boycott Israel.
“Larry gets it,” former Democratic Maryland State senator and co-chair of Democrats for Hogan Robert “Bobby” Zirkin told CNS. “He’s been to Israel a number of times when he was governor.”
Meanwhile, Alsobrooks and her campaign have focused more on the areas of common ground among Democrats. In her own address to the JCRC in April, Alsobrooks focused on bringing home hostages and removing the threat of Hamas from the world while mitigating the civilian casualties in Gaza.
Similarly, in the statement provided to CNS this week, Alsobrooks emphasized her support of Israel, focusing on the hostages taken by Hamas.
“Our priority must be bringing home every single hostage and getting to a ceasefire,” Alsobrooks said in the statement. “As a mother, my heart breaks for the families of the hostages and we must do everything in our power to bring them home now.”
Alsobrooks also stressed the importance of protecting the civilians of Gaza, saying, “we need to ensure that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is addressed, that aid is arriving, and that we are doing everything we can to ensure the flow of aid to innocent civilians.”
Alsobrooks, who visited Israel in 2019, has been endorsed by U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Maryland, whom she hopes to replace. Cardin, who identifies as a “proud Jewish-American,” has supported Israel’s right to defend itself in the conflict.
Van Hollen has been outspoken in his concern about the civilian casualties in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, where the death toll has climbed to over 40,000, according to the territory’s Health Ministry.
He says that Maryland’s Jewish community is not homogenous in its views.
“There’s a great diversity of opinion within the Maryland Jewish community,” he said.
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