To celebrate its 30th birthday, the Book Industry Charitable Foundation will host an anniversary gala on May 13 at the Prince George Ballroom in New York City, with 30% of the net proceeds from the gala to be used to build an endowment, "allowing Binc to continue providing life-changing support for store owners and employees at a time when their work has become increasingly challenging," the organization noted.
The event features Sourcebooks CEO Dominique Raccah as honorary chair, along with Emma Straub, bestselling author and co-owner of Brooklyn's Books Are Magic, as emcee. Binc's author ambassadors Amor Towles and Ann Patchett will be honored. Former Borders president George Mrkonic will receive the Founders Award and ComicsPRO executive director Marco Davanzo the Unsung Hero Award.
"The foundation has been there during the headline-grabbing national tragedies like 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and the Covid pandemic as well as for the day-to-day crises that can shake the foundation of a household or a store," said Binc CEO Pam French. "It's about book people caring for book people and we're proud to celebrate this community."