 Hello, my name is Jade Dean and I am the proud recipient of the Special Session Scholarship for the 2023 school year. I would like to thank San Jose State University iSchool, Director Dr. Anthony Chow, the Student Awards and Scholarships Committee and their Co-Chairs, Drs. Mary Ann Harlan and Mary Kay Bowlin. This award is an honor and will allow me to progress in this program. In my application, I presented on a community-focused event I pitched and facilitated ambitious ails, the brewery where I work. When I learned Belcanto Books was opening a location across the street from the brewery, I thought what better way to welcome a neighbor than to host an event with them. I created a pitch that combined the customer bases for both businesses to host a successful event. We would host a Book Fair with beer. For the pitch meeting, I conducted a SWOT analysis and market research using social media sites like Facebook, Instagram and Eventbrite. These events are commonly referred to as boozy book fairs and are popular everywhere else except Southern California. Ambitious Ails is located in Long Beach and I found only one other brewery hosting this type of event in the LA, Orange County and San Diego area. We developed a planning timeline and social media campaign to promote the event. Since the event will be held in February, we created a book and beer pairing highlighting Black stories and authors with beers on tap. Overall, the event was a huge success. We were able to welcome Belcanto Books to the neighborhood, have a record sales day for Belcanto Books and other vendors, and create an opportunity to bring together book and beer enthusiasts. The event was so popular that we are hosting another one in July. I am fortunate to be recognized by the Student Awards and Scholarship Committee at San Jose State University iSchool. Thank you again for choosing me and congratulations to all the other recipients for this award cycle.