On She Built It®, Courtney Summers shares the story behind Cookout at the Vineyard, a three-day fundraising event in Northern California's Sonoma County she co-founded alongside Talia Suggs to support and elevate women of color in the hospitality, food, and beverage industries.
What started as a small gathering of under 60 people has grown into a 200-plus-person, three-day event now in its fourth year, 100% grant and donor funded, with all proceeds supporting The Veraison Project.
Courtney talks about how an apprenticeship program gave her access to an industry she once felt was invite-only, what it really takes to build an event from the ground up in the hospitality world, and why scaling with intention (not speed) has been the secret to Cookout at the Vineyard's growth. This conversation is about building something that gives back what was once given to you, and making sure the next generation doesn't have to figure it out alone.
Episode resources:
The Veraison Project Website
Silver Oak Cellars Website
Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement
Mural City Cellars
Tish Wiggins - Tish Around Town
Connect with us:
Courtney Summers LinkedIn
Courtney Summers Instagram
Tahlia Suggs LinkedIn
Tahlia Suggs Instagram
Cookout at the Vineyard Website
Cookout at the Vineyard Instagram
Cookout at the Vineyard Facebook
Evolution of the Cookout Weekend Experience - June 11th-13th, 2026 - Sonoma County
The Veraison Project Website
The Veraison Project LinkedIn
The Veraison Project Instagram
Silver Oak Cellars Website
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She Built It® CEO, Melanie Barr Instagram
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