Chevrolet's 'Discover the Unexpected" fellowship program has accepted a handful of fellows for its second-year run. The program provides college students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) the opportunity to change the narrative of media reporting in the black community with the help of the National Newspaper Publishers Association.
The eight 2017 DTU students are:
Taylor Burris, Spelman College
Darrell Williams, Morehouse College
Jordan Fisher, Clark Atlanta University
Tiana Hunt, Clark Atlanta University
Kelsey Jones, Spelman College
Ayron Lewallen, Morehouse College
Noni Marshall, Howard University
Alexa Imani Spencer, Howard University
NNPA is an association of more than 200 African American-owned community newspapers from around the United States. It has consistently been the voice of the black community and an incubator for news that makes history and impacts our country. It is the largest and most influential Black-owned media resource in America, delivering news and information to over 20 million people a week.The fellows will work in major cities such as Washington, D.C., Atlanta, New Orleans and Raleigh.
“Last year we were honored to launch the DTU fellowship program at Howard University and meet a group of very talented journalism students,” said U.S. Vice President of Chevrolet Marketing Paul Edwards in a press release. “Their enthusiasm, insight, and determination made the selection process extremely difficult. We’re excited to send more trailblazers on the road to highlight the positive, inspire hope and document the legacy of African American voices for generations to come.”
This year, DTU fellows will work with editors and reporters from the Washington Informer, Atlanta Voice, Louisiana Weekly and The Carolinian.
“The NNPA is looking forward to welcoming the next group of fellows to the program,” said NNPA President and CEO Dr. Ben Chavis Jr. “Our 2016 felt that despite the negative perceptions seen in the media, there are also beautiful and powerful stories in African American neighborhoods across the country. Our 2017 Fellows will continue sharing stories of community advocates, making impactful and lasting changes on a local and global level.”
The fellowship program is open to communications, mass media, and visual arts students.
Chevrolet will award eight $10,000 scholarships to each fellow and provide a stipend to defray the costs of traveling to and from school as they report on their stories. In addition to the financial investment, Chevrolet will provide each fellowship team access to the Next Generation 2018 Chevrolet Equinox during their reporting assignments.
Legendary lyricist and hip hop pioneer MC Lyte will return as the program’s national spokesperson and will be on-hand to kick-off the launch in Atlanta.
