Vino & Vinyl: Charlotte’s rising music and wine social event.

Vino & Vinyl is where Charlotte’s tastemakers pull up — the DJs, the stylists, the visionaries — all building a scene that’s less about status and more about soul.

Whenever I have the honor of capturing an event like this, I like to arrive an hour or two early to prep my gear, study the lighting, chat with the founder, and gather my thoughts for the night ahead. This particular event was held at APB Charlotte, a two-story modern streetwear and skate retailer located in West Charlotte, housed within the still relatively new development known as The Collective on Tuckaseegee. By the time I arrived, the team was already bustling — prepping hors d’oeuvres, chilling wine bottles, setting up signage, and arranging the front table for the night. It was the kind of attention to detail that often goes unnoticed by most event attendees.

There’s a certain level of care required to pull off an event like this, and the V&V team seems to be perfecting it with each gathering they host. Jabari Omavi, the creator of Vino & Vinyl, was just as hands-on as the rest of his team. While most event creators tend to stay removed from the heavy lifting, Jabari had his sleeves rolled up — tackling the tedious tasks others might’ve delegated.

On the ones and twos for the night was Mr. Terrysauve, who kicked off the evening’s vinyl curation with a single from Ronnie Laws’ 1978 album, Flame. Guests began to stream in — first individually, then in pairs, and soon in groups of three and four. Before long, a small line formed at the check-in table — always a good sign for any event.

At its peak, the space was buzzing. On the first floor, the line for the wine was buzzing with anticipation, friendly chatter, and a vibrant atmosphere. Upstairs was for the movers and shakers — the speakers boomed with a rotation of tracks brought in by guests from their personal collections. Outside on the balcony, the air was cool, a mellow break before getting back into the lively mix.

Vino and Vinyl has something special about it that you just can’t find anywhere else in Charlotte. Before the event went into full swing, I briefly spoke with Jabari about the spark behind V&V, its origins, and more.

Vino & Vinyl Creator Jabari Omavi (2025)

YGBASF: What was the spark behind Vino and Vinyl? Was it a response to something missing in the culture?

Jabari: The idea really started from a personal place. I just wanted to bring my close friends together around the things we loved — music and wine. It made sense. We started in my kitchen — I had the stereo set up and a record player, and I told everyone to bring a vinyl and a bottle of wine. Maybe 20 of us in total, and we had the best time.

We ended up sharing it on social media, and the response was great. That’s when I thought, “Maybe I should do this publicly.”

So honestly, it wasn’t really out of a need, even though there is a huge need for spaces like this. It started with me just wanting to create a safe space for us to vibe and do what we love. From there, it just grew.

YGBASF: Is there more to the Vino & Vinyl name? Where did it come from?

Jabari: So, back when it was a personal party between friends, my friend, who is a wordsmith, came up with that. He’s like, let’s call it Vino and Vinyl. Vino, you know, is a white wine and we’re playing vinyls, so it just sort of fit.

The vinyl was the biggest part of it because (don’t tell anyone) the vinyls are my favorite part. Don’t get me wrong, I love the wine; it helps keep the party going, but the music is what matters the most. It has always, always been about the vinyl before the Vino.

YGBASF: Black joy, black sounds, black space, but really, it’s a very inclusive space you’ve created. Was that the intention from the start?

Jabari: Yes, I wanted to be inclusive, but I also wanted to make it as exclusive as possible. The best way I can do that is by preserving the event. We do it once a month, which I think is perfect.

Every time it comes back around, people are really excited for it. We keep our event very small; our max rsvp is about 120 people-so very intimate and it keeps people ready for the next one. If you didn’t make it to this one, you’ll be ready for the next Sunday.

YGBASF: If someone asked what this event is beyond wine and records, how would you describe it?

Jabari: That’s a good question. If I had to describe the purpose or the feeling without the music or the wine, it would still come down to creating a safe space within the community. Even without the records or the bottles, the same people would show up. The energy would still be there. People would still find a way to connect.

At its core, it’s about building bonds — creating community among people who move like us, think like us, vibe like us.

YGBASF: How do you personally define being Young, Gifted & Black Asf?

Jabari: First of all, I think of Nina Simone — that’s one of my favorite songs, and it captures so much of what that phrase means. To me, being Young, Gifted & Black Asf means being unapologetically great and bold. It means doing whatever it is we want to do with style and intention — and not feeling weird or out of place for it.

We’re constantly up against racial stereotypes and these crazy standards of how we’re supposed to act, especially in comparison to our white counterparts. But this is about breaking that. It’s about owning our greatness without shrinking.