“Iris Duplantier Rideau is not only a modern-day pioneer, groundbreaking businesswoman, and award-winning winery owner, she’s also a brilliant writer to boot. From White to Black is a beautifully told true story of extraordinary perseverance, limitless vision, and the power of faith in one’s self. Ms. Rideau’s illuminating ride through a long-ignored aspect of American history is endlessly fascinating and will leave you deeply inspired.”
— SCOTT WILLIAMS, Writer/Executive Producer NCIS
“Iris Rideau is a true inspiration for all women. She had a vision, followed her dreams and, created a plan and for her life that broke barriers for Black people to follow. From her early roots in Louisiana, Iris plowed through many trials and tribulations of racism in business and in her personal life and rose to the pinnacle of success to be the first Black woman to own and operate her own winery in California. Iris is a trailblazer.”
— DANNY J. BAKEWELL, SR., Executive Publisher of the LA Sentinel and LA Watts Times Newspapers, CEO of the Bakewell Company, and Founder/Creator of Taste of Soul Family Festival
“An inspiring and oftentimes defiant read, From White to Black, is a wonderful and poignant story of triumph and transcendence. Iris Duplantier Rideau chronicles her amazing life journey with such beauty, flair, and insight, it satisfies the mind, opens the heart, and feeds the soul. In-joy.”
— MICHAEL BERNARD BECKWITH, Founder & CEO, Agape International Spiritual Center; Author, Life Visioning and Spiritual Liberation
“Iris Rideau’s breathtakingly moving journey will encourage you to never give up, always push boundaries, and never let someone’s opinions hold you back from your own greatness. As an African American woman, Iris has helped pave the way for gender equality in every field she’s ever touched. From White to Black will show anyone who picks it up that anything is possible no matter your beginnings, and that embracing your identity is the key to success. Iris is not only one of the first self-made, multi-faceted businesswomen of our time, but she refuses to keep her success to herself and continues to turn back with helping hands to make sure she is not the last.”
— JANINE SHERMAN BARROIS, creator of The Kings of Napa (OWN)
“[Iris] is exceptional, not just in the wine community but the business world at large. [W]e have a lot to learn from her.”
— THE VINTNER PROJECT
“Iris Rideau is a pioneer with a journey that transcends decades of history. She is the epitome of strength, grace, and humility. It is an honor to share her legacy as a trailblazer in Season One of Fresh Glass. We are privileged to share her wisdom with the next generation of winemakers and celebrate her remarkable contributions to society.”
— CASSANDRA SCHAEG, Co-Creator, Producer, and Host of Fresh Glass on KPBS
“She blazed trails. Her presence was instrumental in a lot of [Black] women getting into the wine industry.”
— THE HUE SOCIETY
“… a deeply moving, brutally honest account of her trials and triumphs while living in two worlds. [Iris was] the first African American woman to own her own vineyard in a time and place when it was deemed unacceptable. From White to Black dives deeply into the world of being of mixed race and the complex realities of growing up in the Jim Crow era in America. A truly heartbreaking yet triumphant book, From White to Black shares Iris’ deep wisdom and truth about her life. I simply could not put it down.”
— KAREN LEBLANC, actor/singer, star of The Kings of Napa (OWN)
“The wine industry has traditionally been white men, but thanks to Ms. Rideau, more women and people of color are now in the industry.”
