The Michael James Jackson Foundation for Brewing and Distilling announced seven new recipients of their scholarship award. The Michael James Jackson Foundation is a grant-making organization that funds scholarship awards to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color within the brewing and distilling trades. The program is open to candidates at the beginning of their careers, as well as those looking to continue their education. The foundation is named after the renowned beer and whisky writer. Jackson’s books have sold more than 3 million copies and he’s know for helping launch the craft beer movement in the United States, and was described as being actively and profoundly anti-racist.
The scholarships include the Sir Geoff Palmer Scholarship Award for Brewing and the Nearest Green Scholarship Award for Distilling, named after black pioneers in brewing and distilling.
The seven recipients include Robert Young III, Devin Wagner, Maria Shirts, Sophia Missaghi, Fritzi Lara Lino, Jose Hernandez, and Sally Ayala. These recipients will use their scholarships to improve brewing and distilling industry following the foundation’s mission of advancing technical education and facilitating career opportunities for people of color in the United States.