Students from the communications and fine arts fields at Howard University now have an opportunity to connect and advance their expertise through a new program brought in partnership with Amazon Studios.
Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios, is working to transition the entertainment industry to be more inclusive towards students, creating a new generation of Black production and arts professionals.
“Amazon Studios has been working to create new pathways into the industry for talented students of all backgrounds and we are proud to team with Howard on this new program supporting aspiring entertainment leaders,” Salke said.
The program’s purpose is to give Black students the chance to work closely with executives in the entertainment industry and give them early experience with highly renowned professionals in developing, casting, marketing, production, business affairs and music. Amazon’s industry partners are extending a helping hand to marginalized students to allow them better insight into their prospective careers.
Students must be in their third year of undergraduate and be a music, art, theatre, film and TV, public relations, marketing or management major to participate in the program. They can also participate if they are a second year law student. Candidates will go through a rigorous application and interview process to be considered.
The curriculum brought by this partnership has introduced big names to the industry in the past. These include Ashley Blaine, Susan Watson, and MACRO CEOs Charles and Stacey King.
The project brings improvement for both Amazon Studios and Howard Entertainment by letting the students in the program make executive decisions on what takes place behind the scenes.
The impact of the partnership on students is to also reaffirm knowledge about their intended career paths and give them experience that starts their career much sooner.
In a video found on the program website, Z’Kijah Fleming, a member of the first Howard Entertainment cohort, said, “this experience has made me solidify my career plans and has made dreams much more tangible.”
