Director of member resources Dr. J Jackson-Beckham will leave the Brewers Association (BA) at the end of the month, after seven years with the trade group.
Jackson-Beckham announced the news on LinkedIn today, writing: “‘Alignment’ is undoubtedly a piece of corporate jargon that makes me cringe. It is also a useful concept. It is in pursuit of greater alignment that I have decided to move on from the Brewers Association at the end of the month and pursue a path guided by my passions, values and purpose.
“I will look back at the years I spent working alongside colleagues at the BA with enormous fondness and pride, and I may never have the right words to capture the gratitude I have for the BA leaders and board members (past and present) who trusted me with a platform to make a positive impact.”
Jackson-Becknam did not share her future plans, noting she is “open to opportunities.”
With Jackson-Beckham’s departure, the BA “plans to shift internal member resources staff through this transition,” a spokesperson told Brewbound.
The trade group shared the following statement:
“Dr. J has helped establish the Brewers Association’s foundational diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. She was instrumental in launching our mentorship program, the DEI mini-grant program, and in shaping resources and training that supported thousands across the craft beer industry.
“Dr. J has been a respected voice and changemaker, not only within the Brewers Association, but across the greater beverage-alcohol landscape. Her work has encouraged brewers to build more inclusive businesses, empowered future leaders, and helped lay the groundwork for long-term, meaningful change in the craft brewing community.
“While we’re sad to see her go, we’re incredibly grateful for the work she’s done and the legacy she leaves behind. The Brewers Association remains committed to continuing and building on the work she helped start and supporting our members with resources to help them run successful businesses.”
Jackson-Beckham joined the BA in 2018 as the trade association’s first “diversity ambassador,” helping guide members on “best practices for diversifying both customer bases and staff.” In late 2020, she joined the BA full-time as an equity and inclusion partner, leading its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) department.
In January 2024, Jackson-Beckham was named director of social impact, leading the BA’s DEI programs, including the BA mentorship program, the DEI mini-grants program, Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) travel grants program, THRIVE initiative and the BA’s DEI committee.
At the end of 2024, the BA restructured its leadership team and eliminated six positions. With the reorganization, Jackson-Beckham was named member resources director, reporting directly to BA president and CEO Bart Watson.
Jackson-Beckham is also the founder of Crafted For All, a consultancy and professional development platform that transitioned to a blog and newsletter when Jackson-Backham took the BA’s social impact role. She is also the founder and executive director of Craft x EDU, which provides “advisory services, networking opportunities, and fiscal sponsorship to grassroots movements, emerging organizations, and high impact change makers,” with the mission of shaping “what it means to belong in the craft brewing community,” according to the organization’s website.
Additionally, Jackson-Beckham is a founding member and former second VP of the National Black Brewers Association (NB2A).