Ann Arbor, MI – The Binc Foundation is proud to honor the 2022 professional development scholarship recipients. Thanks to Binc’s supporters, $16,250 was awarded to fifteen booksellers and comic retailers from across the country representing bookmobiles, comic shops, and local bookstores large and small.
On the scholarships, Binc’s executive director, Pam French, said, “We are proud to offer these scholarships throughout the year to individuals across the country. Binc’s scholarships provide ongoing opportunities for professional development, help dedicated booksellers and comic retailers expand their skills, and remain at their stores supporting their communities. Be on the lookout for more professional scholarship news in 2023 as Binc launches additional professional development opportunities.”
George Keating Memorial Scholarship:
The George Keating Memorial Scholarship provides a $250 scholarship to a bookseller in the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association (NAIBA), Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA), and New England Independent Booksellers Association (NEIBA), for the purpose of professional development.
Alicia Michielli – Talking Leaves Books, NY – NAIBA
Rachel Ford – The Bookshop, TN – SIBA
Katya D’Angelo – Bridgeside Books, VT – NEIBA
Macmillan Booksellers Professional Development Scholarship
The Macmillan Booksellers Professional Development Scholarships provide funds to booksellers traditionally underrepresented within the industry to attend their regional associations’ fall trade show or gathering.
Abby Rice – Title IX: A Bookstore, CT – NEIBA
Andrea Garcia – Cellar Door Books, CA – CALIBA
Charles Hannah – Third Eye Books, OR – PNBA
Sav Fields – Literati Bookstore, MI – GLIBA
Veronica Johnson – Libros Bookmobile, TX – MPIBA
Krystle Dandridge – The Book Bar, VA – SIBA
Rachel Ramirez – Storyhouse Bookpub, IA – MIBA
Kaila Boulware – Hidden Gems Literary Emporium, NJ – NAIBA
Carla Gray Scholarship for Emerging Bookseller-Activists
This scholarship gives an independent bookseller the opportunity to attend two bookselling events, Winter Institute and a regional fall trade show, as well as receive a $1000 grant to make their community stronger. The community outreach component of this scholarship is focused on finding new readers and ensuring access to books that improve readers’ lives while integrating bookstores even more fully into their communities.
Kay Kerimian – Greenlight Bookstore, NY
Diamond Summit Scholarship
This inaugural scholarship sponsored by Binc gives two comic retailers the opportunity to attend the Diamond Retailer Summit gathering.
Kristen Parraz – Hi De Ho Comics, CA
Stevie Rowe – Vault of Midnight, MI
Denver Publishing Institute
This scholarship is a collaboration with the Binc Foundation, Sourcebooks, and the Denver Publishing Institute; it includes tuition room and board, and up to $2000 to cover travel and lost wages to attend Denver University’s publishing-focused summer program.
Jill Smith, Director of Denver Publishing Institute said, “We are especially impressed by the passion and innovation that she has brought to her bookselling career and know that her unique outlook will enrich the program experience for students and speakers alike. DPI is thrilled to be a part of her professional journey.”
Hannah Amorollahi – The Bookworm, NE