Beer Kulture In St. Pete Creates Scholarship To Give Business Opportunity To Minorities

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Three scholarships are being offered to minorities who want to become certified in the cider industry through a partnership among St. Petersburg's Beer Kulture, ANXO Cider and the American Cider Association.

The scholarship opportunities have been designed to bring new Black, African American, Hispanic, Latino, Native North American, Pacific Islander, and other BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) individuals into the cider industry.

Each scholarship includes:

• Certified Cider Professional Level 1 bundle (including the exam)
• Two Certified Cider Professional Sensory Webinars
• Registration fee for the Certified Pommelier Exam
• Registration for the recipient and a guest to CiderCon, the cider industry’s annual conference
• Travel to and from CiderCon for the recipient and a guest
• Lodging at CiderCon for the recipient and a guest

“We’re excited to expand into the cider industry with the work we’re doing,” Latiesha Cook, CEO and President of Beer Kulture, said. “The broader alcohol space is large and offers so many opportunities to people of color as consumers, potential industry employees, and future owners that it makes sense for us to start looking at partnerships beyond beer. By bringing more people of color into these industries at every level, it creates new possibilities, not just as workers, but as founders, so they can own a piece of the space and drive the industry forward too. We’re really excited to work with ANXO and the American Cider Association for our first official scholarship and kollaboration in cider.”

Rachel Topelius, co-founder and director of ANXO Cider HR and community outreach, said when they started talking with Cook and Michelle McGrath, executive director of the American Cider Association, the focused how they could drive more impact.

"After Latiesha mentioned that past Beer Kulture scholarship winners have given feedback that it can be intimidating being the only person of color at a conference, the idea came up to fund sending a plus one, to make each winner feel more comfortable and welcomed," Topelius said.

The three scholarship packages will be funded by a new cider collaboration from ANXO, Beer Kulture and the American Cider Association. The cider, a 7.3 percent ABV dry cider named Kulture, is a unique blend of 50/25/25 Albemarle Pippin, Dabinett and Harrison apples, developed in conjunction by ANXO and Beer Kulture. The resulting liquid will be juicy with bold and gripping tannins producing a textured mouthfeel accompanied by balanced acidity, a news release said.

Black, African American, Hispanic, Latino, Native North American, Pacific Islander, and other BIPOC individuals interested in the scholarships are encouraged to apply by filling out this form.