Local HBCU Students Participate in Inaugural Black News Channel HBCU Program

Local HBCU students from Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University and North Carolina A & T State University who were nominated by their Journalism programs to participate in Black News Channel’s first ever BNC + BNC GO HBCU Journalism Project–a program designed to empower the next generation of Black journalists in the U.S.

Not even two years old, BNC is the nation’s fastest growing news network and the only provider of 24/7 multiplatform programming dedicated to covering the unique perspectives, challenges and successes of Black and Brown communities. In September, BNC launched BNC GO, a streaming product designed for Millennial and Gen Z audiences. Together, they have launched a unique program designed to give journalism students at HBCUs across the country an opportunity to engage directly with and learn from prominent journalists and media professionals.

Here is how this exciting program works:

• BNC reached out to every HBCU in the country that offers a bachelor’s degree in Journalism (or Communications with a concentration in Journalism), and asked each school’s deans/chairs/professors to nominate one standout Journalism student to participate in the project.
• [Enter student’s name here] is one of just 20 HBCU student journalists involved and last Thursday participated in a Virtual Media Day where the students’ questions were answered by a panel of BNC journalists, including Charles M. Blow, Nayyera Haq, Jimmy Marlow and Michelle Fisher.
• Following the Virtual Media Day, each student was given 10 days to write and publish an original story in their on-campus student newspaper about topics that were discussed during the BNC Virtual Media Day.
• Prior to Thanksgiving, a BNC Editorial Committee will evaluate each of the stories and select eight Finalists that will advance to the project’s next stage.
• Students that do not not advance will be provided with constructive feedback on their work and a care package of BNC gear.
• Each of the Finalists and their stories will be showcased on a special section of BNC’s website, and an online poll will allow fans to vote for their favorite stories.
• The Finalists will then present their work to BNC’s Executive Panel, which will include BNC’s CEO, SVP of Content and other members of senior leadership.
• From there, four students will be declared BNC + BNC GO HBCU Journalism Project Leaders and offered paid internships at BNC to take place during the Summer of 2022!
• In late December, each of the Project Leaders will also be offered celebratory interview opportunities on various BNC and BNC GO programs.

Complete details of the BNC + BNC GO HBCU Project can be accessed HERE, and is intended to expand opportunities for the next generation of Black journalists and provide tangible resources for them to grow and succeed in their future careers.

Please let me know if you have interest in putting together a story on this exciting project and Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University and North Carolina A & T State students’ participation. If so, we can help arrange interviews with the student and BNC representatives as needed to provide further context.