The Time Was Right: Thank You, Noël
There are moments when timing really is everything.
For years, journalist/content creator/storyteller extraordinaire Noël Burgess gently nudged me to let him share my story. And for years, I declined. While I was at Alpha Omega winery, I preferred the spotlight be directed elsewhere—on colleagues like Jesse Garcia, who was leading the tasting room with excellence and deserved to be recognized having broken the barrier in his family from vineyard worker to hospitality. I’ve always believed that stories worth telling don’t have to center around me.
But this year, the time finally felt right. And I’m so grateful that Noël was still interested.
I’m honored to be featured in his latest Forbes piece as part of Black History Always 2025:
👉 Black History Always 2025: Kelly E. Carter, Founder Of Napa Valley Noir
Noël captured my journey with such care and thoughtfulness—from my introduction to wine to founding Napa Valley Noir, my luxury concierge business rooted in curation, access, and inclusion. Being recognized in a series that uplifts Black voices in food and wine is especially meaningful to me, because while NVN welcomes everyone, I launched it with a clear mission: to ensure people who look like me feel seen, respected, and celebrated in wine country.
Noël, thank you for your patience, your persistence, and for always championing diverse stories in this space. I’m glad I finally said yes.
Readers, if you haven’t read the article yet, I hope you will. And if it inspires someone else to step into their own moment when the time is right—then that makes it even more worth it.
Over the past year, I’ve stepped more fully into my own story—sharing not just the curated experiences I design through Napa Valley Noir, but also the lived experiences that shaped my path here. Features like this are more than press; they’re reminders that visibility matters. That storytelling, when done authentically, can shift perceptions and open doors for others.
Happy reading! It’s a long one so pour yourself a glass of your favorite beverage and enjoy.
