Today we’d like to introduce you to Camillya Masunda.
Hi Camillya , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey started with curiosity, purpose, and a desire to create something I didn’t see represented.
While I was in college, I became fascinated with wine. I found myself studying the labels on bottles and wondering who created them and why I rarely saw Black-owned brands represented in the industry. That curiosity turned into years of research, traveling to vineyards, learning the business from the ground up, and refusing to let the lack of representation become a limitation. In 2020, I founded Ebony Wine & Spirits with a mission to celebrate culture in every sip and create a brand that people could see themselves in. Today, Ebony Wine & Spirits has earned national recognition and continues to grow while breaking barriers in an industry where Black women remain vastly underrepresented.
As the brand grew, I realized I wanted to create a physical space where culture, creativity, and community could come together beyond the bottle. That vision became the Ebony Experience Gallery. What began as an art gallery has evolved into a cultural destination that includes an art gallery, the Ebony Bloom Tea Lounge, and The Ebony Shelf Bookstore. It serves as a place where artists, authors, entrepreneurs, and the community can gather to celebrate creativity, host meaningful conversations, and experience culture in an immersive way.
Everything I build is rooted in the same mission: creating spaces where people feel represented, inspired, and connected. Whether someone discovers us through a bottle of wine, a cup of tea, an art exhibit, or a community event, my hope is that they leave feeling like they experienced something that celebrates culture, excellence, and possibility.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but every challenge has strengthened my vision and resilience.
One of the biggest obstacles has been navigating an industry where there are very few Black women founders, especially in wine and spirits. Building relationships, gaining access to distribution, and securing funding have all required persistence. Most recently, I lost my distributor when they unexpectedly shut down, which meant rebuilding our distribution strategy from the ground up while continuing to keep the brand visible and growing.
Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve also bootstrapped much of the business. There have been moments where I had to rely on creativity, partnerships, and determination instead of large budgets. Every milestone from getting products into stores and restaurants to opening the Ebony Experience Gallery has come through years of hard work and believing in the mission even when the path wasn’t clear.
Opening the Ebony Experience Gallery came with its own challenges as well. Transforming a vision into a space that combines art, literature, tea, wine, and community experiences required taking risks and wearing many hats. But seeing artists, authors, families, and entrepreneurs gather in the space reminds me why the journey has been worth it.
I’ve learned that entrepreneurship isn’t about avoiding obstacles it’s about continuing to move forward despite them. Every setback has become an opportunity to innovate, pivot, and build something even stronger.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am the founder and CEO of Ebony Wine & Spirits and the visionary behind the Ebony Experience Gallery, a multi-concept cultural destination in Charlotte, North Carolina where people travel from all over North & South and beyond to experience the love of culture in the way we celebrate community and unity Together, these businesses were created to celebrate culture, creativity, and community through unforgettable experiences.
Ebony Wine & Spirits is more than a beverage company it’s a lifestyle brand built on the belief that every bottle should tell a story and bring people together. We specialize in premium wines and spirits inspired by global experiences and rich cultural traditions, with a mission to celebrate culture in every sip. Alongside our beverage portfolio, we’ve expanded into curated tasting experiences, events, and hospitality.
The Ebony Experience Gallery brings that mission to life in a physical space. It is home to an art gallery, the Ebony Bloom Tea Lounge, and The Ebony Shelf Bookstore, creating a place where art, literature, culture, and conversation intersect. We host everything from artist exhibitions and author talks to tea experiences, creative workshops, networking events, and community programming designed to make culture accessible and engaging.
What I’m most proud of is building businesses that create opportunities for others. Whether it’s providing a platform for local artists, giving authors a space to connect with readers, creating experiences that bring strangers together, or introducing people to Black-owned wines and spirits, every part of what we do is centered on connection and representation.
What sets us apart is that we don’t simply sell products or host events we create experiences with purpose. Every detail is intentional, from the stories behind our beverages to the artwork on the walls and the conversations happening around the table. Our goal is for every guest to leave feeling inspired, welcomed, and more connected to culture than when they arrived.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are so many ways to work with and support what we’re building.
For Ebony Wine & Spirits, we’re always looking to collaborate with restaurants, hotels, retailers, distributors, event organizers, corporate partners, and hospitality groups that want to offer unique, culturally inspired beverage experiences. We also welcome opportunities for brand partnerships, curated tastings, speaking engagements, sponsorships, and community events.
Through the Ebony Experience Gallery, we partner with artists, authors, creatives, nonprofits, businesses, and organizations to host exhibitions, workshops, networking events, private celebrations, book signings, and cultural experiences. The gallery was designed to be a creative hub where ideas come to life and meaningful collaborations happen.
The community can also support us by visiting the gallery, attending our events, booking a tea experience, purchasing our wines and spirits where available, sharing our mission on social media, and introducing us to potential partners who align with our vision.
At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to celebrating culture, supporting creativity, and bringing people together. We’re always excited to connect with individuals and organizations that share those values and want to help create lasting impact.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ebonywineandspirits.com
- Instagram: Ebony_experience_gallery
- Facebook: Ebonywineandspirits
- LinkedIn: CamillyaMasunda
- Youtube: Ebonywineandspirits
- Yelp: Ebonyexperiencegallery
- Other: https://Ebonyexperiencegallery.com
