The Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation has named the winners for two scholarships aimed at supporting professional development and diversity in the bookselling industry. The scholarships managed by the foundation are the Macmillan Booksellers Professional Development Scholarship and the George Keating Memorial Scholarship.

The Macmillian scholarship helps booksellers from underrepresented communities to attend regional book trade shows. The scholarships cover the cost of travel, lodging, and meals up to $500. The winners are Karen Ugarte of Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural and Bookstore, Sarah Wordhouse of The Word House, Rome Puente of Bookworks/Albuquerque, Claire Van den Brock of Huxley & Hiro, Coco Zephir of Phoenix Books Vermont, John Hart of Always Here Books, and Eden Haymon of Cavalier House Books.

The Keating scholarship also provides $500 to booksellers for professional development. It is given to booksellers in the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association, Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance, and New England Independent Booksellers Association. The winners are Julie Wernersbach of Hive Mind Books and Preet Singh of Eagle Eye Book Shop.

“Binc is honored to help book people expand their knowledge and grow in their roles,” Binc Executive Director Pam French said. “Partnering with Macmillan Publishers, the friends of publishing sales rep George Keating and regional associations whose values align with the foundation allows us to support booksellers across the country. Thanks to these two scholarships as well as an additional scholarship for each region, Binc will distribute approximately $11,000 to ensure increased access to professional development.”