HBCU drama The Quad on BET will be back for Season 2, but not without new staff members on board.
Earlier this year, Executive Producers Felicia D. Henderson and Rob Hardy sought to give back to next generation of black leaders and excellence in the entertainment industry. They formed The Quad Internship Program, selecting 8 students out of 250 applications.
The selected students all hail from local Atlanta and Florida HBCUs including Florida A&M University, Hardy and lead character Anika Noni Rose’s alma mater.
“We’re starting with colleges and universities in the Atlanta University Center because The Quad is shot on their campuses. It’s only fair that the students here get first opportunity. They have been gracious and understanding as we inconvenience their lives in our efforts to add authenticity to our show,” said Ms. Henderson, Co-Creator and Executive Producer of The Quad and faculty member in the Radio-Television-Film Department at The University of Texas at Austin.
The students selected for the internship are: Maya Eaddy (Spelman College); Brandon Gilpin (Morehouse College); Nia Jones (Clark Atlanta University); Trishunda Mooney (Clark Atlanta University); Kirsten Danielle Owens (Clark Atlanta University); Quenten McNair (Clark Atlanta University); Denard Thomas (Florida A&M University); and Mykayla Williamson (Spelman College).
The Quad begins shooting later this year with the students training in everything from writing and producing to cinematography and tech across two internship cycles.
Henderson plans on expanding the internship opportunity as the show gets renewed, saying, “We consider it an honor to help prepare the next generation of content creators by providing them with a window into the production process. So we’re giving students with a passion for television production a chance to train with seasoned professionals.”
The Quad’s second season premieres January 23, 2018 on BET. The Quad Internship Program is sponsored by Capital Arts Media (the studio that produces the series), WaterWalk Productions (Ms. Henderson’s company), Rain Forrest Entertainment (Mr. Hardy’s company), and BET Networks.
Starring Anika Noni Rose and Ruben Santiago-Hudson, The Quad follows the ambitious yet secretive life of Dr. Eva Fletcher (Rose), an ambitious newly elected president of the fictitious Georgia A&M University, as well as her administration, and the entering freshman class, led by Zoe, Eva’s rebellious daughter, Cedric, a talented rapper on the rise, and Bojohn, who is looking to achieve victory and success as the school’s first white starting quarterback. The staple of Georgia A&M is their prestigious marching band led by their charismatic yet ruthless leader, Art Diamond. Art’s power and influence proves a challenge for Eva but she manages to find strong allies in Ella Grace, Dean of the history department, and football coach, Eugene Hardwick. Though the students and faculty of The Quad come from different places and face different challenges, one similarity remains—everyone is looking to make a name for themselves at Georgia A&M. Dr. Fletcher is charged with saving the prestigious HBCU from bankruptcy as her marriage crumbles. The series promises to take viewers inside the unique, tradition-filled world of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
The Quad also stars Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Jasmine Guy, Peyton Alex Smith and Sean Blakemore.
