Hi, I'm Alicia Kidd—a second-generation Oaklander, born and raised right here in this city. I'm a proud product of Oakland Public Schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. I went on to earn my Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and my Master's degree in Public Administration, both from California State University, East Bay.
This city made me who I am. Oakland raised me, educated me, and shaped my vision for what community can look like.
Before opening CoCo Noir, I spent nearly a decade building my career in the wine industry. I sold close to $1 million in wine, learning the business from the ground up—the relationships, the craft, the culture, and the opportunity to bring people together over a shared glass. Through that journey, I saw something missing: a space in Oakland where wine wasn't intimidating. A space where everyone felt welcome. A space that celebrated diverse voices in an industry that has historically excluded them.
So in December 2022, I took the leap. I invested over $500,000 of my own personal capital to build out and open CoCo Noir Wine Shop & Bar in Downtown Oakland—during one of the most challenging economic periods this city has ever faced, the post-pandemic recovery.
CoCo Noir made history as Oakland's first and only Black woman-owned wine tasting room and bistro. We're located at 360 13th Street in the Atlas Luxury High Rise, proudly situated within California's newly recognized Black Arts Business Movement District cultural zone. We were the first business to enter a Community Benefit Agreement with the Atlas building and the Black Arts Business Movement District to bring a Black-owned business into this commercial space.
Three years later, we're still here. Still fighting. Still serving our community. This December marked three years in business—a testament to resilience, grit, and unwavering faith in Oakland.
But CoCo Noir is more than a wine bar. We're a community catalyst and hospitality pipeline.
Here's what we do:
We showcase BIPOC winemakers, beer makers, and non-alcoholic beverage creators—featuring the largest and most diverse selection of wines, beers, and non-alcoholic options in the area
We provide platforms for local chefs and caterers who don't always have access to brick-and-mortar spaces to showcase their talents and build their businesses
- We host artists and musicians who perform for appreciative audiences at our pop-ups and events
- We create opportunities for the next generation of hospitality leaders to develop their skills, generate revenue, and grow into industry professionals
- We offer public wine tasting experiences with charcuterie, private event space, chef pop-ups, wine tastings with winemakers, music performances, social gatherings, networking events, and curated programming
- We provide full-service mobile catering for corporate, government, nonprofit, and private events across the Bay Area
We hold Oakland VSLBE certification and remain committed to showcasing diverse winemakers and BIPOC entrepreneurs. When you walk into CoCo Noir, you're not just entering a wine bar—you're stepping into a space that represents what Oakland can be when we invest in our own.
The Challenge We Face
Our first year in business, we generated $440,000 in sales and proved that our model works. People came. They loved the space. They booked events. They discovered new wines and connected with our community of chefs and artists.
But years two and three have been a fight. Downtown Oakland's economic recovery has been slower than almost anywhere else in the Bay Area. The foot traffic that neighborhood businesses like ours depend on simply hasn't returned to pre-pandemic levels. Corporate offices that used to book happy hours are still operating on hybrid schedules. The consistent walk-in traffic that sustains small businesses just isn't there yet.
I've done everything in my power to keep these doors open. I've applied for grants. I've participated in accelerators and mentorship programs. I've networked, hustled, and poured my heart into this business every single day.
But I can't do it alone. And I shouldn't have to. Why Your Support Matters Now
I'm actively advocating for the City of Oakland to create a Small Business Retention Program—a real initiative that provides emergency funding, landlord mediation, and pro bono legal and financial support to viable businesses at risk of closure. I'm positioning CoCo Noir as the first participant in this program, because we're proof of concept. Our model works. What we need is bridge support to execute on our growth plan.
When you support CoCo Noir, you're not just helping one business. You're investing in Oakland's hospitality future. You're proving that Black women entrepreneurs can build lasting institutions that serve their communities. You're keeping culture, opportunity, and economic dignity alive in Downtown Oakland.
I'M ACTIVELY WORKING ON:
✓ Launching the CoCo Noir Wine Club with curated selections and private label wines — Target launch: March 31, 2026
✓ Expanding private events and corporate catering to serve clients across the Bay Area
✓ Bringing back consistent public programming—wine tastings, chef pop-ups, artist showcases, live music
✓ Growing our marketing and outreach so more people discover what we've built
✓ Advocating for a City of Oakland Small Business Retention Program — with CoCo Noir as the first participant
WHERE YOUR ONE-TIME DONATION GOES
Every dollar you donate goes directly to CoCo Noir's operations, programming, and growth. Your contribution helps us keep our doors open, pay our team, and continue providing exceptional wine experiences and cultural programming to Oakland. Below, you'll see how donations at different levels support specific aspects of our mission.
$25 — Community Wine Tasting Supporter
Your donation helps fund our community wine tasting events, where Oakland residents discover diverse winemakers and experience wine culture in a welcoming space. You're making it possible for us to continue offering these experiences to our community.
$50 — Wine Education Supporter
Your contribution funds educational materials and sommelier-led tastings that teach our guests about wine regions, flavor profiles, and the stories behind the bottles. You're helping CoCo Noir make wine accessible and approachable for everyone who walks through our doors.
$100 — Curated Wine Inventory Supporter
Your donation helps us stock our shelves with the diverse, carefully curated selection our guests love—wines from BIPOC winemakers, women-owned vineyards, and underrepresented producers you won't find anywhere else. You're helping CoCo Noir showcase voices that deserve to be heard.
$250 — Chef Collaboration Dinner Supporter
Your generous gift helps fund our chef collaboration dinners with wine pairings—events that support local chefs and create unforgettable culinary experiences for our community. Your donation makes it possible for CoCo Noir to continue hosting these signature gatherings that uplift Oakland's culinary talent.
$500 — Wine Club Launch Supporter
Your contribution directly supports the launch of our CoCo Noir Wine Club, helping us build sustainable recurring revenue while delivering exclusive curated selections to members across the Bay Area. You're investing in CoCo Noir's long-term stability and growth.
$1,000+ — Equipment & Infrastructure Investor
Your investment funds critical equipment upgrades, wine storage systems, and cellar management technology that allow us to expand our offerings and serve our community at the highest level. You're building the foundation for CoCo Noir's future.
BECOME A MONTHLY SUBSCRIBER — MAXIMUM IMPACT
One of the most powerful ways you can support CoCo Noir is by becoming a monthly subscriber.
Monthly subscriptions provide stable, predictable support that helps CoCo Noir plan ahead and thrive. Your recurring gift doesn't purchase a product or perk—it invests in Oakland's only Black woman-owned wine tasting room and the community we serve. Here's how different monthly levels support our mission:
$10/month — Door Keeper
Your monthly gift helps keep our doors open—literally. Every dollar contributes to rent, utilities, and the basic operational costs that keep CoCo Noir's lights on and our space welcoming for the Oakland community. You're ensuring that Oakland's only Black woman-owned wine tasting room remains a gathering place for years to come.
$25/month — Community Builder
Your sustained support helps fund our wine education programming and sommelier services, making wine culture accessible to everyone—not just those who already know the difference between a Pinot and a Petit Verdot. You're helping CoCo Noir break down barriers and welcome new wine lovers into our community every month.
$50/month — Team Sustainer
Your monthly commitment helps us retain and compensate our team members at livable wages with benefits—or higher. In an industry known for underpaying workers, your support allows CoCo Noir to do right by the people who make our space special. You're investing in Oakland jobs, economic dignity, and a hospitality model that values people over profit.
$100/month — Culture Catalyst
Your generous monthly gift helps CoCo Noir continue hosting wine and food pairing events, chef pop-ups, artist showcases, and live music programming for our community. You're funding the cultural heartbeat of CoCo Noir—the events that bring Oakland together and give platforms to BIPOC chefs, winemakers, and artists who deserve to be seen. You're also helping us expand our catering offerings to serve clients across the Bay Area.
$250/month — Visionary Partner
Your extraordinary commitment provides transformational support that touches every aspect of CoCo Noir's operations. At this level, you're helping us cover essential business operations—inventory purchasing, vendor payments, marketing investments, and growth initiatives. You're a true partner in our mission, and your monthly gift creates ripple effects across Oakland's hospitality ecosystem. We'd love to recognize you publicly (with your permission) as a CoCo Noir Visionary Partner.
$500/month — Legacy Builder
Your remarkable monthly investment positions you as a cornerstone supporter of CoCo Noir's future. At this level, you're funding not just survival, but growth—helping us expand our Wine Club, hire additional team members, invest in equipment, and build toward long-term sustainability. You're helping write the next chapter of Oakland's hospitality story, and your legacy will be felt for years to come.
$1,000/month — Founding Pillar
Your extraordinary monthly investment places you among the most dedicated supporters of CoCo Noir's mission. At this level, you're providing the kind of foundational support that transforms a small business into an institution. Your contribution helps fund major growth initiatives—expanding our Wine Club membership, scaling our corporate catering operations, investing in marketing to reach new audiences, and building the infrastructure for long-term success. You're not just supporting CoCo Noir; you're helping build a model for what Black woman-owned businesses can achieve when community stands behind them. We'd be honored to recognize you (with your permission) as a CoCo Noir Founding Pillar.
WHY MONTHLY GIVING MATTERS
When you become a monthly subscriber, you provide something money alone can't buy: stability and hope.
Stability means CoCo Noir can plan ahead, pay our team on time, keep inventory stocked, and invest in programming without wondering if we'll make it through the month.
Hope means I can focus on growing CoCo Noir instead of just surviving. It means I can dream bigger—for our Wine Club, for our catering expansion, for the chefs and artists we want to showcase.
Even $10 a month—the cost of a single glass of wine—adds up to $120 a year of sustained support. Multiply that by dozens of monthly subscribers, and suddenly CoCo Noir has a foundation to build on.
You're not just donating. You're sustaining a dream. You're keeping Oakland's wine culture alive.
CAN'T DONATE RIGHT NOW?
You can still make a difference:
Share this campaign on social media or with friends—every share expands our reach
Book a private event at CoCo Noir — wine tastings, celebrations, corporate gatherings
Book a wine tasting experience in our store
Purchase a gift card — the perfect gift for the wine lover in your life
Join our Wine Club waitlist — launching March 2026
Follow us @CocoNoirOakland and engage with our content
Visit us in downtown Oakland and bring a friend
NEW WINTER BUSINESS HOURS
Day & Hours
Monday – Wednesday Closed
Thursday- 5pm – 9pm (Happy Hour All Day!)
Friday – Saturday 5pm – 10pm
Sunday - 2pm – 7pm
Private Events Available: Wednesday – Sunday
VISIT US
CoCo Noir Wine Shop & Bar
360 13th Street
Oakland, CA 94612
Website: www.coconoirwine.com
Parking:
Indoor garage parking (Atlas Building)
Front street parking
Across-street paid parking
Also Accessible By: BART and Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)
WHY THIS MATTERS
CoCo Noir is more than a wine bar. We're a community catalyst where underrepresented entrepreneurs can showcase their skills, generate revenue, and develop into industry leaders.
When you support CoCo Noir, you're:
- Keeping doors open for Oakland's only Black woman-owned wine tasting room
- Paying living wages to Oakland workers in an industry that often undervalues labor
- Funding cultural programming that uplifts BIPOC chefs, winemakers, and artists
- Investing in Oakland's future and proving that community-focused businesses can thrive
- Creating opportunities for the next generation of hospitality leaders
✉️ A PERSONAL NOTE FROM THE OWNER ALICIA
"I invested everything I had into CoCo Noir because I believe in Oakland. I'm a second-generation Oaklander—born here, raised here, educated here. This city made me who I am.
Every month that we stay open is a victory. Every team member we pay a living wage is a statement. Every chef, winemaker, and artist we showcase is proof that there's space for all of us in this industry.
I'm not asking you to save me.
I'm asking you to invest in what we're building together—a more inclusive, vibrant, resilient Oakland.Whether you give once or become a monthly subscriber, whether you donate $10 or $1,000—you matter. You're part of this story now.
We're approaching our 3-year anniversary, and with your help, we'll continue to be a home for wine, food, culture, and community for many years to come.
Thank you for believing in CoCo Noir."
— Alicia Kidd, Founder & CEO
Organizer
