HBCU STUDENTS AT APPLE: NAVIGATING THE TRANSITION FROM CLASSROOM TO CAREER
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Posted By: Catalina Deossa on July 29, 2024 The PROPEL Center Arts & Entertainment Industry Accelerator, in collaboration with Apple through its Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, is dedicated to enhancing diversity in the arts and entertainment sectors by empowering students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This yearlong program focuses on developing essential skills among participants, including empathy, storytelling, motivational leadership, and strategic thinking. A central component of the accelerator's curriculum is the “What’s Your Superpower?” course, which encourages students to discover and embrace their authentic selves. Over 100 selected HBCU students benefit from the program's offerings, including micro-credential courses on the PROPEL Learn app, virtual career panels with Apple professionals, and résumé-writing workshops. Among the participants is Liza Montgomery, a 2024 mass communications graduate from Xavier University of Louisiana. Montgomery exemplifies the program’s values of empathy and leadership, drawing on her experiences as the eldest child responsible for her younger siblings and cousins. She is part of the group that has utilized the accelerator’s resources and mentorship. Since February, students like Montgomery have been engaging with the program through virtual career panels and hands-on workshops. This summer, 50 participants, including Montgomery, attended an intensive 10-day experience at Tennessee State University in Nashville and Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta. During this period, they received mentorship from HBCU faculty and industry professionals and collaborated with experts at Apple Music’s Nashville office. The accelerator is a key element of Apple’s $25 million Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, which aims to dismantle systemic barriers and create new opportunities for HBCU students. Dr. Lisa Herring, president of the PROPEL Center, emphasizes the significance of direct mentorship, stating, “There’s nothing more powerful than for a student to interface with someone who is an expert as they seek to become one.” The PROPEL Center provides educational programming across various disciplines, including AI, social justice, and entertainment, with ongoing mentorship and internships facilitated by Apple. Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, highlights the initiative’s mission to advance equity and access for under-resourced communities. Students also participated in enriching experiences in Nashville, such as a fireside chat with Ebro Darden, Apple Music’s global editorial head of Hip Hop and R&B, and hands-on sessions at Universal Music Group’s East Iris Studios. They collaborated on projects themed “Propelling Preservation,” which showcased how Black creatives contribute to social movements and sustain HBCU culture. Montgomery played a key role in her group’s project by designing the marketing plan and cover art using the Procreate app on her iPad Pro. Emmanuel Strickland, a Tennessee State University student and emerging R&B singer, contributed by recording lyrics and melodies on his iPhone 13 Pro Max and producing tracks at home using Pro Tools. Participants also worked with artist Fresh Ayr and the audio engineering team at UMG East Iris Studios to produce a song in Logic Pro. Strickland reflected on the program’s enlightening nature, noting that it provided valuable insights into the behind-the-scenes aspects of the industry. Montgomery praised the PROPEL program for providing HBCU students with a platform to express their artistic abilities, build meaningful relationships, and engage in authentic conversations with industry professionals. Sylvester Polk, a music engineering mentor, highlighted the program’s comprehensive approach, which equips students with a well-rounded understanding of the industry. Strickland concluded that the program enables students to form real-life connections with industry professionals, fostering relationships that could lead to significant opportunities. Overall, the PROPEL Center Arts & Entertainment Industry Accelerator plays a crucial role in preparing students for successful careers in the competitive arts and entertainment fields while promoting diversity and inclusion. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Catalina Deossa
Archaeologist, CHRONOS SAS Florida Int`l Univ class of 2011 Member Since April 2024 |
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