A former professor of Communication Studies, Dr. J Jackson-Beckham dedicated her academic career to the study of American beer. Today, she helps craft beverage organizations develop practices that drive success, build communities, and empower individuals. She is an author, speaker, vocal advocate for the craft beverage community, homebrewer, and Certified Cicerone. In 2018, Dr. J was named the Brewers Association's first-ever Diversity Ambassador. In 2020, she was named Imbibe Magazine’s Beer Person of the Year. Today, Jackson-Beckham leads the Brewers Association's social impact efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion, member and community engagement, high-ROI philanthropy, and association accountability.