CLINK Festival founders Chrishon Lampley, owner of Love Corkscrew wines, and Joyce Dawkins, founder of She ROCKS It, are presenting the 3rd Annual CLINK Wine & Spirits Festival. This unique event celebrates Women, Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) in the wine and spirits industry. The festival will feature a walk-around tasting, showcasing over 50 minority-owned wine and spirit brands, alongside delicious food samplings from local Chicago chefs of color. Attendees can also enjoy a cigar lounge, non-alcoholic wine options, diverse vendors, and music.

CLINK Wine & Spirits Festival will take place at the Bridgeport Art Center, 1200 W. 35th Street, Chicago, IL, Sunday Sept. 22, 2024, from 3 to 8 pm, featuring BIPOC Wine and Spirit Brands.

“As a minority business owner, navigating the wine industry can often feel isolating,” said Chrishon Lampley, Co-Founder of CLINK. “It’s essential to celebrate, encourage, and advocate for diversity in the wine and spirits industry. CLINK offers an engaging and educational forum for beverage professionals, media, and enthusiasts to taste, network, and celebrate our progress, while also empowering the next generation of minority women in the industry.”

“CLINK aligns perfectly with the mission of She ROCKS It, which is to spotlight and celebrate the achievements of women,” added Joyce Dawkins, Co-Founder of CLINK. “I encourage attendees to take bold steps towards their dreams, even in spaces where they are underrepresented. Both CLINK and She ROCKS It are committed to inspiring women to believe in themselves, break through barriers, and make a lasting impact.”

The CLINK Wine & Spirits Festival is proud to feature some of the nation’s rising stars in the food and beverage industry, including Samantha (Founder of LOVELUVV), Nicole Kearney (Founder of Sip & Share Wines), Lashonda Modest (Founder of Melanated Wine), Dr. Chris Wachira (Founder of Wachira Wines), Quenjana Adams (2048 Non-Alc Wine Shop), Chef Dominique Leach (Executive Chef & Owner of Lexington Betty Smokehouse), and many more.

This year’s CLINK Festival is made possible by lead sponsor Mariano’s, a leading Midwest grocery chain committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. “At Mariano’s, we are proud to support BIPOC and Women-Owned Businesses, as well as those that champion these entrepreneurs,” said Amanda Puck, Director of Strategic Brand Development for Mariano’s. “We are thrilled to sponsor the CLINK Wine & Spirits Festival and showcase our accomplished Tastemaker Chefs, who will enhance the event’s lineup of exceptional minority-owned wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverage producers.”

For the full event schedule and ticket information, you can visit www.clinkfestival.com.