![\"Janel-Jackson-Beckham](\"https:\/\/www.beerpulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Janel-Jackson-Beckham-Brewers-Association.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n(Boulder, CO) \u2014 Furthering its commitment to diversity, the Brewers Association (BA)\u2014the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American craft brewers\u2014today announced that it has tapped J. Nikol Jackson-Beckham, Ph.D. as its first-ever Diversity Ambassador.<\/p>\n
Similar to other ambassador roles at the BA, Jackson-Beckham will travel around the country to state guild and other craft brewing community events to speak on best practices for diversifying both customer bases and staff and to listen to current challenges in this area. She will work closely with the recently established Diversity Committee, helmed by Julie Verratti of Denizens Brewing Co. and comprised of a cross section of industry members of varied backgrounds and geographical regions.<\/p>\n
\u201cCraft beer is made by and for everyone,\u201d said Bob Pease, president and CEO, Brewers Association. \u201cDiversity and inclusion are opportunities for businesses to lead and succeed. Jackson-Beckham will help to reinforce this idea, identify occasions where efforts can be strengthened and educate our members on being an even more inclusive community. We welcome her to the Brewers Association team.\u201d<\/p>\n
An Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Randolph College, Jackson-Beckham has a storied history in the brewing community. She has been an avid homebrewer for over a decade and has researched and written about beer and its place in American culture. She has delivered keynote addresses, presentations and guest lectures on the culture and inclusiveness of craft beer.<\/p>\n
\u201cServing the Brewers Association in this capacity \u2018closes the loop\u2019 on things I have been doing for nearly a decade now. I have been fortunate enough to have successfully combined a genuine passion for craft beer and a career in academia,\u201d said Jackson-Beckham. \u201cI am really grateful for the opportunity to be part of authentic efforts to overcome some of the challenges I\u2019ve spent a good amount of time researching and writing about. I\u2019m really excited to have the opportunity to change how a lot folks in the industry think about diversity and inclusion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jackson-Beckham will make her first appearance as Diversity Ambassador at the Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America\u00ae, in Nashville, Tennessee from April 30 to May 3. Her presentation is \u201cA Brewery for All\u2014Tactics for Being Inclusive and Building Diversity.\u201d<\/p>\n
About the Brewers Association<\/p>\n
The Brewers Association (BA) is the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts. The BA represents 4,000-plus U.S. breweries. The BA\u2019s independent craft brewer seal is a widely adopted symbol that differentiates beers by small and independent craft brewers. The BA organizes events including the World Beer Cup\u00ae, Great American Beer Festival\u00ae, Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America\u00ae, SAVOR\u2120: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience, Homebrew Con, National Homebrew Competition and American Craft Beer Week\u00ae. The BA publishes The New Brewer\u00ae magazine, and Brewers Publications\u2122 is the leading publisher of brewing literature in the U.S. Beer lovers are invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft beer at CraftBeer.com and about homebrewing via the BA\u2019s American Homebrewers Association and the free Brew Guru\u2122 mobile app. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.<\/p>\n
The Brewers Association is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital\/familial status. The BA complies with provisions of Executive Order 11246 and the rules, regulations, and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor.<\/p>\n
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