Brewery Scholarship Launched For Minority Students At USF

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A recently launched brewery scholarship by Beer Kulture will benefit a student of color who wants to attend the upcoming Brewing Arts program on the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus.

Beer Kulture and USF announced its partnership Tuesday. The scholarship, funded by Beer Kulture, covers the entire cost of the $5,000 program. Brewery training is 23 weeks, and is offered online. Participants will build foundational knowledge and hands-on training for a successful career in the industry of craft brewing, according to USF. The course is taught by professionals in the brewery field.

Latiesha Cook, president and CEO of Beer Kulture, told Patch in a July interview her goal was to introduce craft beer knowledge and provide access to it in minority communities. She has expanded that goal by helping a Black, Latino or any person of color obtain the skills needed if they want to open their own brewery.

In 2019, the Brewer's Association reported that Black-owned craft breweries make up 1 percent, and 88 percent of the breweries are owned by white business owners.

“We’re so excited to introduce this scholarship,” Cook said. “The craft beer industry across the country is still growing, and with growth comes opportunity. That opportunity could be a person of color opening their own brewery, or it could be someone taking a job with an existing brewery. Either way, this scholarship is helping to provide an opportunity to a person that may not have otherwise received one."

Craft beer has become a local and national sensation, USF reported on its website. Craft brewing is one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S, and according to a study by the Florida Brewers Guild, the state of Florida could support more than 500 craft breweries, leading to a total economic output of $2.5 billion and 40,000 jobs.

If you're interested in applying for Beer Kulture's Brewing Arts Scholarship, click here.

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