Nearly 60 industry members have furthered their education and technical skills in brewing and distilling thanks to the support of the Michael James Jackson Foundation (MJF), according to the nonprofit’s impact report, released last month.
Founded in 2020, the MJF’s mission is to “remove financial barriers, advance technical education and facilitate career opportunities for people of color” within the brewing and distilling industries, through scholarships, mentorship and networking opportunities.
“While there are many paths to great careers in brewing and distilling, formal education can be critical,” MJF founder and president Garrett Oliver said in a press release. “We are proud of the work we have done to bring this level of expertise to a broader community. If this industry is to grow, we need everybody on board, both as producers and as customers.”
Since 2021, MJF has awarded more than $507,000 in scholarships to 58 awardees, including $120,353 to 14 awardees in 2024. Scholarships include:
- The Sir Geoff Palmer Scholarship Award for Brewing, which funds “the tuition and course materials for well-recognized practical courses in brewing science and technology;”
- And the Nathan Green Scholarship Award for Distilling, which funds “technical education in the science and business of distillation.”
Scholarship winners have gone on to attend several programs, including (but not limited to) intermediate and master brewer programs at the Siebel Institute of Technology, the World Brewing Academy (WBA), the UC Davis Master Brewers program, the Charter Institute of Brewing and Distilling and the American Brewers Guild.
“Being able to complete the WBA Master Brewer program was such an eye opening experience,” 2023 MJF scholarship recipient Eric Muench said in the report. “There’s a bit of [an] echo chamber in the craft brewing industry at times, so to be able to interact with not only craft brewers, but also large scale macro brewers from around the world, was quite fascinating.
“The knowledge I gained (science-based and engineering in particular) has made me a better brewer, not only in terms of my tasks and work load, but I’m also able to carry myself more confidently,” 2023 awardee Fritzi Lara Lino said. “I can feel my imposter syndrome slowly melting away.”
The MJF has also facilitated the mentorship of nine industry members, aided by 16 volunteer mentors. Eight of the nine mentees still “maintain relationships with their mentors,” three have received promotions since completing their programs, and five have “improved technical skillset[s] since completing their program,” according to the report.
The MJF’s efforts have been supported by several partnerships, including fundraising initiatives with Athletic Brewing, Lallemand Distilling, Pinhook and Brooklyn Brewery, with each company committing between $50,000 and $100,000 in matching donations during their respective initiatives.
Other significant donors (between $10,000 and $25,000) include Haas, Human Robot Brewing, NC Rare and Vintage, New Belgium Brewing, the Calagione family’s Red Wagon Foundation, Guinness, Yakima Chief Hops, Pro Brewer, BSG and Russian River Brewing, according to the report.
Along with its impact report, the MJF announced its eighth cohort of scholarship winners, the first of its two annual scholarship rounds. The latest awardees include:
- Stefano Annicchiarico (Fast Fashion Brewing), who will attend the Master Brewers Association’s Brewery Maintenance Systems course;
- Josie Becker (Austin Beerworks), who will attend UC Davis Master Brewers Certificate Program;
- Jeremiah Campbell (False Idol Brewing), who will attend Siebel Institute of Technology’s Distilling Course;
- Hannah Ferguson (D.O.P.E Brands LLC), who will attend the Brewing & Distilling Center;
- Ophelia Flores-Carr (Big Grove Brewery), who will attend the American Brewers Guild Intensive Brewing Science and Engineering program;
- Bobby Ford (Wild Turkey Distillery), who will attend the Institute of Brewing and Distilling;
- And Esan Guerin (Green Bench Brewing), who will attend UC Davis Master Brewers Certificate Program.
The MJF is now accepting donations to its annual funding drive. As of press time, the campaign has exceeded its $100,000 goal, raising $128,416 from 301 supporters.
“Our industry needs everyone’s participation to thrive,” Oliver added in the impact report. “In a country where 45% of people have non-European ancestry, creating an inclusive brewing and distilling community is essential for growth and innovation.
“When production spaces reflect America’s diversity, our industry naturally expands, bringing fresh creativity, talent and business opportunities that benefit everyone.”
The MJF was named Brewbound’s 2024 Cause of the Year. Brewbound senior reporter Zoe Licata chatted with MJF director of operations Breeze Galindo about the organization and its impact. Watch the full interview here.