The Michael James Jackson Foundation for Brewing & Distilling (MJF) recently announced that seven individuals are the recipients of its scholarship awards, bringing its total scholarship beneficiaries to 36 since its establishment in 2020.
Learning and Development featured expert topic supported by Siebel Institute of Technology
For over 140 years, the Siebel Institute of Technology has attracted an extensive global following. Our alumni span more than 60 countries and are found in almost every major brewery on earth. Our on-campus classes include a mix of participants from breweries of all sizes who hail from locations all over the world, enhancing our student’s learning experience by exposing them to differences in culture, equipment, methods and beer styles.
Named after the exemplary beer and whiskey author, Michael James Jackson, the MJF supports the technical education of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in the brewing and distilling trades, thus providing them with the leverage to advance in these industries.
Additionally, all scholarship winners and finalists will be receiving free one-year memberships from the Master Brewers Association of the Americas.
The recipients are;
Sally Ayala
Originally from Houston, Texas, with roots in Mexico and Spain, Ayala initiated her career in 2019 as a cellar worker. Her love for beer led her to a machine operator position at Karbach Brewing. Currently a brewer in Alamo Beer Co.
Jose Hernandez
A first-generation Mexican-American from Kennewick, Washington, Hernandez transitioned from the wine industry to craft brewing in 2018. Presently, he is a brewer at the Varietal Beer Co. in the Yakima Valley.
Fritzi Lara Lino & Sophia Missaghi
Lino, a first-generation queer Mexican American woman from East Los Angeles, progressed her career from an entry-level cellar tech to becoming an Innovation Brewer. Missaghi, an Iranian brewing enthusiast from Central Minnesota, used her journey from taproom server to the Head Brewer of 10k Brewing in Anoka, Minnesota, to advocate for greater BIPOC representation in the industry.
Maria Shirts & Devin Wagner
Shirts, an immigrant from Brazil, moved to New York City to pursue her dream in craft beer and later joined the Other Half Brewing team. Wagner, a descendant of the Apsáalooké (Crow) Nation from Montana, transitioned his career from journalism to brewing, getting his break at an Alaskan brewery.
Robert Young III
Born and raised in East Atlanta in Ellenwood, Georgia, Young combined his Navy-earned global experiences and passion for beer to become an Assistant Brewer at Savannah River Brewing Co.
This recent group of scholarship beneficiaries can now commence their technical education programs and classes.
The subsequent round of MJF scholarships will be awarded in February 2024.
The scholarships awarded by MJF are made possible through the generous contributions from supporters throughout the brewing and distilling industries.