The core mission of the Michael James Jackson Foundation for Brewing and Distilling is to advance technical education and facilitate career opportunities for people of color within these industries in the US. Two scholarships under this umbrella include Sir Geoff Palmer Scholarship Award for Brewing and the Nearest Green Scholarship Award for Distilling. Sir Godfrey “Geoff” Henry Oliver Palmer OBE was Professor Emeritus in the School of Life Sciences at Heriot-Watt University and George Green was the son of Nearest Green, original master distiller for Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey
Named after the late Michael James Jackson (1942-2007), an esteemed writer on beer and whisky, widely regarded as the best in the world, his books have sold over 3 million copies in 18 languages, and he played a pivotal role in the craft beer movement both in the US and globally.
Jackson’s creation of a taxonomy of beer styles provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the intricacies of modern beer. In addition to his “beer family,” Jackson had a “whisky family” that he held in equal esteem, and he wrote about the subject with the same level of expertise, humanity, and passion.
Despite not being a person of color himself, Jackson was a vehement advocate for anti-racism. His unwavering commitment to inclusivity and equality was evident throughout his work and life. It is with great pride that we name this foundation after the 20th century’s most significant champion of grain-based beverages.
To learn more and how to apply for a scholarship under the MJF visit https://www.themjf.org/
Most recently, the Craft Beer Marketing Awards (CBMAS) announced the extension of their “Show Us Your Favorite Tattoo” charity category until May 1, 2023. This category is open at TheCrushies.com to anyone age 21+ who wants to enter their favorite tattoo for a chance to win a Global Crushie Trophy for themselves, and their tattoo artist.
Only $50 to enter your favorite tattoo with all proceeds donated to The Michael James Jackson Foundation (MJF Scholarships).
About the The Michael James Jackson Foundation (MJF Scholarships)
The Michael James Jackson Foundation for Brewing and Distilling (MJF) began its scholarship program in 2021 to help counteract barriers for people trying to join the bev-alc workforce. Over the past two years, the Sir Geoff Palmer Scholarship Award for Brewing and the Nearest Green Scholarship Award for Distilling has been awarded to 29 individuals. It most recently awarded eight scholarships to beer industry professionals in its latest round of grants aimed to help Black, Indigenous, and people of color advance in the brewing and distilling industries.
The latest scholarship recipients of the Sir Geoff Palmer Scholarship Award for Brewing include:
Deshawn Agbonze, head brewer at Mastry’s Brewing Co. in St. Pete Beach, Florida, Sofia Betanzos from Other Half Brewing in Brooklyn, New York, Tony Jaquez from Outsider Brewing Company in Asheville, North Carolina, Jamaar Julal director of fermentation at Honeysuckle Provisions and co-founder of JamBrü Ferments, a Philadelphia-based hard kombucha company, Kevin Limon lead brewer at Angry Horse Brewing in Montebello, California, Isabella Perez shift lead at Hood River, Oregon-based pFriem Family Brewers, as well as a part-time production employee at Goldendale, Washington-based Dwinell Country Ales and an online teaching assistant at the UC Davis extension program for courses in beer quality, Eric Pham head brewer and innovation brewer at Prison City Brewing in Auburn, New York.
Chantel Starks distiller for Corsair Distillery in Nashville, Tennessee was awarded a Nearest Green Scholarship Award for Distilling.
About the CBMAS
The Craft Beer Marketing Awards competition accepts beverage-related marketing and design entries from around the globe (beer, hard seltzer, cider, mead, and RTD cocktails). Breweries, agencies, artists, and marketing partners are all invited to enter their top work.
Founded in 2019, the CBMAs is the first awards program of its kind in the world to focus on excellence in creativity and innovation that breweries employ in their marketing to differentiate their brands in a highly–saturated marketplace.
