The Book Industry Charitable Foundation announced the winners of two scholarships: the Macmillan Booksellers Professional Development Scholarship and the George Keating Memorial Scholarship.
The Macmillan scholarship, which was created in 2017, provides booksellers from underrepresented groups with the opportunity to attend their region's independent booksellers association trade show. Each scholarship covers the cost of travel, lodging, and meals up to $750.
This year's winners are: Kealie Mardell-Carrera of Underdog Bookstore, Monrovia, Calif. (CALIBA); Keeley Malone of Ink Drinkers Anonymous, Muncie, Ind. (GLIBA); Verlean Singletary of Da Book Joint, Chicago, Ill. (MIBA); Kat Paton of Country Bookshelf, Bozeman, Mont. (MPIBA); Eleanor Cugal of Penguin Bookshop, Sewickley, Pa. (NAIBA); Ernio Hernandez of River Bend Bookshop, Glastonbury, Conn. (NEIBA); Larissa Berry of Montana Book Company Redux, Helena, Mont. (PNBA); and Karen Goforth-Harbin of Archimedes & Loft Books, Monroe, N.C. (SIBA).
The Keating Memorial Scholarship awards $500 to one bookseller each in the NAIBA, NEIBA, and SIBA regions, for the purpose of professional development. The winners, who are chosen by each regional booksellers association, are Yulia Watters of Finist and the Owl, Wilmington, Del. (NAIBA); Rachel Bolton of Wicked Good Books, Salem, Mass. (NEIBA); and Crystel Calderon of Portkey Books, Safety Harbor, Fla. (SIBA).
"Binc is honored to help book people expand their knowledge and grow in their roles," said Binc CEO Pam French. "Congratulations to all the recipients. Partnering with Macmillan Publishers, the friends of publishing sales rep George Keating, and the regional associations allows us to support booksellers across the country."