Photos by Matt Sayles
40 Under 40 Tastemaker 2020 Tahiirah Habibi, 37
Founder/Sommelier, Hue Society; Cofounder, Roots Fund Initiative; Founder/President, Counsel of Resources Group, Atlanta
Change agent
A Jay Z lyric inspired the name for Hue Society, a hub for Black wine professionals: “What’s better than one billionaire? Two, ’specially if they’re the same hue as you.” Habibi created the organization to counter the lack of diversity she noticed as she worked as a sommelier. It curates events and connections, while an offshoot, Counsel of Resources Group, offers mentorship and other programming for under-represented people in the wine industry. This year, she posted a now-viral Instagram video about her experience with the Court of Master Sommeliers that led the organization to change the way its instructors are addressed. Habibi also joined Carlton McCoy, MS, and Ikimi Dubose to launch the Roots Fund Initiative, which provides scholarships and job placement to diversify the industry.
Instagram: @thehuesociety; @sippingsocialite
