The Atlanta Falcons and Wells Fargo are excited to announce that their HBCU Fellowship Program is expanding for its second year. This eight-week paid program aims to give students from Atlanta HBCUs valuable skills, career growth opportunities, and a strong professional network.
After a successful first year, the program is increasing from 12 to 15 Fellows and now includes more departments within AMB Sports and Entertainment (AMBSE). New areas like player engagement, live events, stadium production, graphic design, brand communications, and corporate partnerships have been added. Consequently, this growth reflects the program’s dedication to offering a broader experience.
Moreover, Fellows will gain hands-on experience with the Atlanta Falcons and at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, along with mentorship from AMBSE and Wells Fargo professionals.
Latonda Henderson, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at AMBSE, highlighted the program’s commitment. “The Atlanta Falcons and Wells Fargo are committed to creating opportunities for HBCU students by sharing insider access to the diverse careers within sports and entertainment,” Henderson said. “Our first cohort was exceptional, and we are thrilled to expand this program and provide these talented students with hands-on exposure and in-demand skills.”
In addition, Tai Roberson, Senior Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Impact at Wells Fargo, spoke about the partnership. “Wells Fargo is The Bank of Doing and we are working to level the playing field by connecting HBCU students in Atlanta with their career goals and with financial education resources to prepare them for life after graduation,” Roberson said. “We are so proud to partner with the Falcons on this first-of-its-kind program that offers HBCU students from the top universities across Atlanta the chance to immerse themselves in the front office of a professional sports team and to experience how sponsors align with teams to drive positive change in communities.”
The HBCU Fellowship Program will run from September to November 2024, during the Atlanta Falcons’ season. This timing will allow students to join various activities and events, further enriching their overall experience.
This year’s HBCU Fellowship Program class, along with their departments, universities, hometowns, and majors, includes:
- Brand Marketing: Cayla Morgan, Spelman College / Northern Virginia (Sociology and Anthropology)
- Brand Communications: Rece Allen, Morehouse College / Upper Marlboro, MD (Journalism)
- Community Engagement in the Home Depot Backyard: Rhamsei Phillips, Spelman College / Atlanta, GA (Psychology)
- Community Relations: Bria Evans, Spelman College / Kansas City, MO (Psychology)
- Content Production: Lauren Thompson, Spelman College / Washington DC metro area (Documentary Filmmaking, Art and Visual Culture)
- Corporate Partnerships: Anthony George II, Morehouse College / Dallas, TX by way of Bentonville, AR (Business Administration)
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Jayla McNeil, Clark Atlanta University / Gwinnett County, GA (Marketing)
- Graphic Design: Avery Butler, Spelman College / Baltimore, MD (Psychology)
- Internal Communications and Employer Branding: Alyshea Furman, Spelman College / Upstate New York (English)
- Live Events and Entertainment: Amari Currie, Clark Atlanta University / Atlanta, GA (Supply Chain Management); Ashton Brown, Morehouse College / Irvine, CA (Psychology)
- Player Engagement: Cedric Spain, Morehouse College / Augusta, GA (Psychology)
- Sports Technology: Morgan Jackson, Spelman College / Marietta, GA (Computer Science)
- Stadium Production: Sydney Dixon, Spelman College / Houston, TX (Interactive Media); LeManuel Donaldson, Clark Atlanta University / Seattle, WA (Mass Media Arts)
