April 30, 2026 • 10 mins
For Vanesse Lloyd Sgambati’s monthly feature “VLS Journeys,” she speaks with Shakia Williams, founder of Cyrenity Sips Winery—a Black woman–owned, family-run micro-winery just outside Philadelphia. Cyrenity Sips is a boutique winery where everything—from fermentation to bottling—is done on-site, creating a hands-on, community-centered experience. One of the few Black woman–owned wineries in the country, the business is rooted in a mission to make wine more accessible, inclusive, and culturally connected.
Shakia shares her journey into winemaking, how she’s redefining wine culture, and what makes her small-batch wines—from traditional blends to creative seasonal flavors—stand out. The tasting room offers wine flights, educational experiences, and private events designed to welcome everyone into the world of wine. Learn more:
🌐 Website: https://cyrenitysips.com
📱 Instagram: @therealcyrenitysipswinery
📘 Facebook: Cyrenity Sips Winery
In her monthly feature “What Is Philadelphia Reading,” Vanesse also speaks with Barnett Wright, the new Managing Editor of The Philadelphia Tribune. He shares insights on the future of the historic publication, the importance of Black media, and how the Tribune continues to inform and empower the community.
Shakia shares her journey into winemaking, how she’s redefining wine culture, and what makes her small-batch wines—from traditional blends to creative seasonal flavors—stand out. The tasting room offers wine flights, educational experiences, and private events designed to welcome everyone into the world of wine. Learn more:
🌐 Website: https://cyrenitysips.com
📱 Instagram: @therealcyrenitysipswinery
📘 Facebook: Cyrenity Sips Winery
In her monthly feature “What Is Philadelphia Reading,” Vanesse also speaks with Barnett Wright, the new Managing Editor of The Philadelphia Tribune. He shares insights on the future of the historic publication, the importance of Black media, and how the Tribune continues to inform and empower the community.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning, and welcome to Insight, a show about empowering
our community. I'm Lorraine Balladmorrow, and as she does once
a month, every month, we have the Lovely, the fabulous,
the fantabulous, Vanessa Lloyd's Gambadi. You are a world traveler
and you're always where the cool people are. So tell
us what's happening right now?
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Oh, in your life? What is happening in my life?
So much is happening in my life. But before I
get into that, always in my life is my family.
I want to give a shout out to my oldest niece.
She was born in Oh gosh, I don't want to
give her age, but anyway, Shanda, happy birthday.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
So I've been doing a lot of fun stuff.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
As always, when you hear this, I will be going
up to New York to cover the Met exhibit that's
pre the Met Ball, but it's still fabulous. Last year,
Colin Domingo didn't want to take a photograph with me,
and I kept saying I should have brought a cheese steak.
But I am doing a wonderful project for the Free
Library of Philadelphia in conjunction with World Heritage Month, and
(01:03):
they reached out to me and asked, well, what can
we do something that was literary? And I thought, the
thing that's literally that connects all of us is food.
So I've got a wonderful lineup of authors and chefs.
And these are the people. You might know some of
them because you see them on all these beat Bobby
Flay Chop and it's going to be at the library.
(01:25):
You can go to their website and see the lineup.
But I've got Mia Castro, the queen of reality cook shows.
She's got a wonderful Puerto Rican cookbook. I've got Andre Fowls,
who is Bruce Springsteen's personal chef. He has a wonderful
book about Jamaica. Natasha Prinkoitz I'm sure I'm messing up
(01:47):
her name, but Natasha is the queen of Chinese hotpot
and a very special guest that's going to extend into
June is Ifra Ahmed. And she wrote a wonderful cookbook
about Samala. And what's really fascinating is that she talks
about how spices connects all the world because so many
of the spices that we eat are produced in Somali.
(02:11):
So go to the website, go to the hotline two
one five eight seven eight book to find out all
the wonderful things that Vanessa Lloyd's combati. And finally I
even had enough time. I am curating the children's book section.
There's a wonderful project that the roots are doing at
their picnic. I'm just really grateful to be blessed to
be able to do these things, and as always with
(02:34):
the fabulous Lorraine giving me the opportunity to just be
broadcasting on these airwaves. And before I forget, Happy Mother's Day, Lorraine.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
Oh thank you so much, and the same to you.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
I just want to say, briefly one memory of your mother.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
She used to tell me folk tales at night to
help me fall asleep, and she told me stories that
were that I remember to this day, and sing me
songs from her childhood. So I love that.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
About her and her mother's Japanese, so you can imagine
how beautiful that was.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
Oh thank you.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
Yep, I'm black and ease.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
My mother believed in me when nobody else would believe
in me. They came to my school and said, hey,
we're looking for kids to play in an orchestra. I
went home and I said to my dad. He used
to buy us something every Friday. And I said, I
want to play the flute. And I said, buy me
a flute. My father bought me a flute. I practice
all week, I got dressed up. I can still see
those shoes that I wore that day, and we went
(03:29):
down to the auditions. I walked in the room and
I pulled out my flute and I proceeded to play.
And after a week, and they looked at me startled,
and they looked at my mother and said, lady, are
you crazy. That's a plastic flute. We're looking for real musicians.
And my mother was insulted. She said she's still playing
the flute. So, needless to say, I missed that opportunity,
(03:50):
but my mother believed in me, and so we went off.
When we had lunch, which was a favorite thing I
liked to do with my mother. Helen arnez Lloyd.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
And what's your mother's saying.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
Kumiko Ballard, Okay, we want to put her name out
in the universal. But I have a wonderful guest because
it's Mother's Day coming up, and you need to do
something for your mama. So I have serenity SIPs and
it's Shakiah Williams. She is. She has a vineyard here
in Philadelphia, can you imagine. And she has a wonderful
spot in your Woola grove that you can take your
(04:20):
mother and your friends even if they don't drink alcohol.
I think Shakia is just a wonderful, positive space for
people to celebrate themselves and their families and the people
that they love.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
Welcome.
Speaker 4 (04:33):
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
So tell us how did you get in the business
of making wine?
Speaker 4 (04:38):
Absolutely so? Representation is a big deal for me.
Speaker 5 (04:42):
So I wanted to make sure that we were represented
as far as being diverse and wine makeing.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
So I like wine.
Speaker 5 (04:48):
I decided to learn how to make wine, and I
wanted to operationalize a winery. So that's how I got
my start, just making it in my garage and Virginia Beach.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
Do you sell non alcoholic wines?
Speaker 4 (05:00):
We offer non alcoholic wines.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
So tell me something about this event that's going to
happen on Mother's Day, because I know it's going to
be fabulous coming from Sequia Wheels.
Speaker 4 (05:12):
Absolutely so.
Speaker 5 (05:13):
At our winery thirty one South here at Roden Hafer,
we are hosting a wine cocktail event where guests can
come in bottle, label and cork their wine cocktail and
take it home.
Speaker 4 (05:23):
So something fun and different to do.
Speaker 3 (05:26):
So, you know, I was thinking, suppose I wanted to
impress my friends and I could have a bottle of
wine with my label put on it.
Speaker 5 (05:34):
Absolutely specifically a wine that you made with your label
put on it, and also you corked as well. So
the care in detail. You can tell your friends like
I thought of you, this was important to me that
you can have.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
Oh that's so special.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
I'm thinking of Lucy Arnez with the grapes in the
stumping on them. I guess that's not that kind of situation.
They're correct, No, feet, No, it isn't at all. You know,
I gotta be a Philly girl. I'm just ass and
there's probably somebody out there thinking the same thing that
I'm thinking.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
So give us the details again.
Speaker 4 (06:09):
Absolutely.
Speaker 5 (06:09):
So the event will be May ninth at the Winery
thirty one South York Road in half Boro, and the
tickets are on even right and also on our website
at www dot sorderysips dot com. And the guests will
be able to create their contail bottle, leavel and cork.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
And take it home give us a phone number.
Speaker 4 (06:29):
Sure two six seven three eight seven eight four zero five.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Well, thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
I will definitely because I love I'm a prosecco girl,
but I still think the ambiance of ben there would
be fun to go with a group of women.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
So thank you, and I look forward to seeing you.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
Thank you. We look forward to seeing you as well.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
So we've come to one of my favorite parts of
this segment, and I have a very special guest, a
long time friend Barnett. Right, he's the returning Philadelphia who
is the managing editor of the Philadelphia Tribune. Barnett, thank
you for taking time out of your business day to
come on the show.
Speaker 6 (07:14):
Thank you so much. Happy Mother's Day to you.
Speaker 4 (07:16):
And you're right.
Speaker 7 (07:17):
We are long friends, very treasured friends, and you've always
been a supporter. So thanks for having me here today.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
So the Tribune is one of the oldest black newspapers
in the country. I think it's like one hundred and
twenty five years. How have they managed to stay current
and be alive and pick people like Lorraine and myself
to be most influential.
Speaker 7 (07:36):
I think by doing what you just said right covering
the community. There are a lot of individuals, and I'm
glad you mentioned Lorraine. Happy Mother's Day to Lorraine as well.
There are a lot of individuals in this community who
have made an impact, and I think the Philadelphia trib
has stayed relevant by covering those individuals who have made
(07:57):
an impact on what we do and who we are,
so as loan as that is the focus promoting writing
about reporting on those individuals who are making us, who
distinguish us as African Americans. You will stay in business,
We will stay in business.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Well, I look forward to seeing some of the great
things that you're preparing to offer to people, and I
will be calling you not when I do bad, but
when I'm doing good.
Speaker 3 (08:21):
Okay, at any rate.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Since you're back in town and you're officially a Philadelphia
you come to one of the favorite parts of this segment.
What is Philadelphia reading? So let's get into your world.
What book are you reading?
Speaker 6 (08:35):
Credos of Eight Black Leaders.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
First book you read.
Speaker 6 (08:38):
I can't remember, I'm too old.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
Best book you've read.
Speaker 6 (08:41):
In Cold Blood, Truman Capodi.
Speaker 3 (08:44):
Worst book you've read.
Speaker 6 (08:45):
I can't think of something that put down, So I
can't answer that.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
Your go to author, James Baldwin buyer or borrow buyer.
Speaker 3 (08:54):
What books should everyone have in their library?
Speaker 6 (08:56):
Frederick Douglas, Profit of Freedom by David Black.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Or nonfiction both? Yeah, have a literary dinner. Name three
people from the literary community you must have.
Speaker 6 (09:07):
It is so so many, Vanessa, I can't think of three.
Speaker 3 (09:10):
If you wrote a book about your life, what would
be the title?
Speaker 6 (09:14):
Always write wright.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Wow, that's a nice closing remarks. Okay, you know I'm
sitting here and I'm like, you caught me off guard.
But that's the wonderful thing I like about to continue
the great work here in Philadelphia. There's always folks, continue
to read, buy a book, and of course have a
blessed day.
Speaker 1 (09:33):
And that was Vaness Lloyd's combody with VLS Journeys. We'll
have more insight after these messages.
Good morning, and welcome to Insight, a show about empowering
our community. I'm Lorraine Balladmorrow, and as she does once
a month, every month, we have the Lovely, the fabulous,
the fantabulous, Vanessa Lloyd's Gambadi. You are a world traveler
and you're always where the cool people are. So tell
us what's happening right now?
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Oh, in your life? What is happening in my life?
So much is happening in my life. But before I
get into that, always in my life is my family.
I want to give a shout out to my oldest niece.
She was born in Oh gosh, I don't want to
give her age, but anyway, Shanda, happy birthday.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
So I've been doing a lot of fun stuff.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
As always, when you hear this, I will be going
up to New York to cover the Met exhibit that's
pre the Met Ball, but it's still fabulous. Last year,
Colin Domingo didn't want to take a photograph with me,
and I kept saying I should have brought a cheese steak.
But I am doing a wonderful project for the Free
Library of Philadelphia in conjunction with World Heritage Month, and
(01:03):
they reached out to me and asked, well, what can
we do something that was literary? And I thought, the
thing that's literally that connects all of us is food.
So I've got a wonderful lineup of authors and chefs.
And these are the people. You might know some of
them because you see them on all these beat Bobby
Flay Chop and it's going to be at the library.
(01:25):
You can go to their website and see the lineup.
But I've got Mia Castro, the queen of reality cook shows.
She's got a wonderful Puerto Rican cookbook. I've got Andre Fowls,
who is Bruce Springsteen's personal chef. He has a wonderful
book about Jamaica. Natasha Prinkoitz I'm sure I'm messing up
(01:47):
her name, but Natasha is the queen of Chinese hotpot
and a very special guest that's going to extend into
June is Ifra Ahmed. And she wrote a wonderful cookbook
about Samala. And what's really fascinating is that she talks
about how spices connects all the world because so many
of the spices that we eat are produced in Somali.
(02:11):
So go to the website, go to the hotline two
one five eight seven eight book to find out all
the wonderful things that Vanessa Lloyd's combati. And finally I
even had enough time. I am curating the children's book section.
There's a wonderful project that the roots are doing at
their picnic. I'm just really grateful to be blessed to
be able to do these things, and as always with
(02:34):
the fabulous Lorraine giving me the opportunity to just be
broadcasting on these airwaves. And before I forget, Happy Mother's Day, Lorraine.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
Oh thank you so much, and the same to you.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
I just want to say, briefly one memory of your mother.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
She used to tell me folk tales at night to
help me fall asleep, and she told me stories that
were that I remember to this day, and sing me
songs from her childhood. So I love that.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
About her and her mother's Japanese, so you can imagine
how beautiful that was.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
Oh thank you.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
Yep, I'm black and ease.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
My mother believed in me when nobody else would believe
in me. They came to my school and said, hey,
we're looking for kids to play in an orchestra. I
went home and I said to my dad. He used
to buy us something every Friday. And I said, I
want to play the flute. And I said, buy me
a flute. My father bought me a flute. I practice
all week, I got dressed up. I can still see
those shoes that I wore that day, and we went
(03:29):
down to the auditions. I walked in the room and
I pulled out my flute and I proceeded to play.
And after a week, and they looked at me startled,
and they looked at my mother and said, lady, are
you crazy. That's a plastic flute. We're looking for real musicians.
And my mother was insulted. She said she's still playing
the flute. So, needless to say, I missed that opportunity,
(03:50):
but my mother believed in me, and so we went off.
When we had lunch, which was a favorite thing I
liked to do with my mother. Helen arnez Lloyd.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
And what's your mother's saying.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
Kumiko Ballard, Okay, we want to put her name out
in the universal. But I have a wonderful guest because
it's Mother's Day coming up, and you need to do
something for your mama. So I have serenity SIPs and
it's Shakiah Williams. She is. She has a vineyard here
in Philadelphia, can you imagine. And she has a wonderful
spot in your Woola grove that you can take your
(04:20):
mother and your friends even if they don't drink alcohol.
I think Shakia is just a wonderful, positive space for
people to celebrate themselves and their families and the people
that they love.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
Welcome.
Speaker 4 (04:33):
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
So tell us how did you get in the business
of making wine?
Speaker 4 (04:38):
Absolutely so? Representation is a big deal for me.
Speaker 5 (04:42):
So I wanted to make sure that we were represented
as far as being diverse and wine makeing.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
So I like wine.
Speaker 5 (04:48):
I decided to learn how to make wine, and I
wanted to operationalize a winery. So that's how I got
my start, just making it in my garage and Virginia Beach.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
Do you sell non alcoholic wines?
Speaker 4 (05:00):
We offer non alcoholic wines.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
So tell me something about this event that's going to
happen on Mother's Day, because I know it's going to
be fabulous coming from Sequia Wheels.
Speaker 4 (05:12):
Absolutely so.
Speaker 5 (05:13):
At our winery thirty one South here at Roden Hafer,
we are hosting a wine cocktail event where guests can
come in bottle, label and cork their wine cocktail and
take it home.
Speaker 4 (05:23):
So something fun and different to do.
Speaker 3 (05:26):
So, you know, I was thinking, suppose I wanted to
impress my friends and I could have a bottle of
wine with my label put on it.
Speaker 5 (05:34):
Absolutely specifically a wine that you made with your label
put on it, and also you corked as well. So
the care in detail. You can tell your friends like
I thought of you, this was important to me that
you can have.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
Oh that's so special.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
I'm thinking of Lucy Arnez with the grapes in the
stumping on them. I guess that's not that kind of situation.
They're correct, No, feet, No, it isn't at all. You know,
I gotta be a Philly girl. I'm just ass and
there's probably somebody out there thinking the same thing that
I'm thinking.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
So give us the details again.
Speaker 4 (06:09):
Absolutely.
Speaker 5 (06:09):
So the event will be May ninth at the Winery
thirty one South York Road in half Boro, and the
tickets are on even right and also on our website
at www dot sorderysips dot com. And the guests will
be able to create their contail bottle, leavel and cork.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
And take it home give us a phone number.
Speaker 4 (06:29):
Sure two six seven three eight seven eight four zero five.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Well, thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
I will definitely because I love I'm a prosecco girl,
but I still think the ambiance of ben there would
be fun to go with a group of women.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
So thank you, and I look forward to seeing you.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
Thank you. We look forward to seeing you as well.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
So we've come to one of my favorite parts of
this segment, and I have a very special guest, a
long time friend Barnett. Right, he's the returning Philadelphia who
is the managing editor of the Philadelphia Tribune. Barnett, thank
you for taking time out of your business day to
come on the show.
Speaker 6 (07:14):
Thank you so much. Happy Mother's Day to you.
Speaker 4 (07:16):
And you're right.
Speaker 7 (07:17):
We are long friends, very treasured friends, and you've always
been a supporter. So thanks for having me here today.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
So the Tribune is one of the oldest black newspapers
in the country. I think it's like one hundred and
twenty five years. How have they managed to stay current
and be alive and pick people like Lorraine and myself
to be most influential.
Speaker 7 (07:36):
I think by doing what you just said right covering
the community. There are a lot of individuals, and I'm
glad you mentioned Lorraine. Happy Mother's Day to Lorraine as well.
There are a lot of individuals in this community who
have made an impact, and I think the Philadelphia trib
has stayed relevant by covering those individuals who have made
(07:57):
an impact on what we do and who we are,
so as loan as that is the focus promoting writing
about reporting on those individuals who are making us, who
distinguish us as African Americans. You will stay in business,
We will stay in business.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Well, I look forward to seeing some of the great
things that you're preparing to offer to people, and I
will be calling you not when I do bad, but
when I'm doing good.
Speaker 3 (08:21):
Okay, at any rate.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Since you're back in town and you're officially a Philadelphia
you come to one of the favorite parts of this segment.
What is Philadelphia reading? So let's get into your world.
What book are you reading?
Speaker 6 (08:35):
Credos of Eight Black Leaders.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
First book you read.
Speaker 6 (08:38):
I can't remember, I'm too old.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
Best book you've read.
Speaker 6 (08:41):
In Cold Blood, Truman Capodi.
Speaker 3 (08:44):
Worst book you've read.
Speaker 6 (08:45):
I can't think of something that put down, So I
can't answer that.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
Your go to author, James Baldwin buyer or borrow buyer.
Speaker 3 (08:54):
What books should everyone have in their library?
Speaker 6 (08:56):
Frederick Douglas, Profit of Freedom by David Black.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Or nonfiction both? Yeah, have a literary dinner. Name three
people from the literary community you must have.
Speaker 6 (09:07):
It is so so many, Vanessa, I can't think of three.
Speaker 3 (09:10):
If you wrote a book about your life, what would
be the title?
Speaker 6 (09:14):
Always write wright.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Wow, that's a nice closing remarks. Okay, you know I'm
sitting here and I'm like, you caught me off guard.
But that's the wonderful thing I like about to continue
the great work here in Philadelphia. There's always folks, continue
to read, buy a book, and of course have a
blessed day.
Speaker 1 (09:33):
And that was Vaness Lloyd's combody with VLS Journeys. We'll
have more insight after these messages.
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