The Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation is seeking mentors and subject matter experts (SMEs) to support the 12 aspiring and brand-new bookstore owners from California to Florida in the first cohort of BincTank, Binc’s business incubator pilot program to support BIPOC-owned retail bookselling businesses. 

The 12 entrepreneurs will finish Professional Bookselling School in late May and Binc is working to have a pool of mentors and SMEs available by early June. As people sometimes learn better from those they share affinities with, People of Color–and allies–are strongly encouraged to participate. Those interested in being considered can complete the form. 

A mentor will be matched one-on-one with an entrepreneur for a longer-term relationship that provides guidance and support and serves as a source of motivation and inspiration. Mentors and mentees will be matched based on need and skill sets. A subject matter expert is an expert in a specific area or subject and is consulted to help solve a particular problem.

White noted that a mentor will be matched with each entrepreneur by early June but that the process is ongoing and those who complete the form to be considered as a mentor or SME may not be matched initially but could be contacted in the future.