Spike Lee introduces scholarship program for HBCU students in Atlanta

In an effort to support Atlanta-based students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Spike Lee has unveiled a groundbreaking scholarship program!

Spike Lee has partnered with the Gersh Agency for the AUCC effort

the BlackKkKlansman Director cooperates with Gersh– an agency specializing in talent, literature and production – to set up the Spike Fellows program. meeting reports that this initiative focuses on supporting students from the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC), made up of Spelman, Clark Atlanta and Morehouse.

The Spike Fellows program will start later this month and the first wave will consist of five graduate students. Through The Gersh Agency, these lucky grantees have access to mentoring and postgraduate internships. In addition, the initiative provides them with debt relief for academic purposes and full-time employment.

Jayson Council – Gersh’s head of cultural affairs – will take on who will lead the programme.

The Spike Fellows program is focused on bringing diverse talent to the entertainment industry

Referring to this initiative, Spike described the opportunity as a “great honor,” especially given that he’s a Morehouse graduate.

“It is my great honor, privilege and excitement to announce the Spike Fellows in collaboration with my partners The Gersh Agency and the AUCC.”

Additionally, Spike Lee noted that he has always been committed to “bringing as many black and brown people into the industry as possible.” Now he is able to carry out this long-awaited mission.

“From the jump, right from the start, I knew when (not if) I was opening a crack in the door, I was bringing so many blacks and browns with me in front of and behind the camera.”

Filmmaker Spike Lee has partnered with The Gersh Agency to create the Spike Fellows Program, a grant supporting students from the Atlanta University Center Consortium, made up of three historically black colleges and universities

— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) January 12, 2023

Spike Lee Wants to Carry On HBCU Legacy: ‘Deeds, Not Words’

Spike then looked back on his family’s experience and shared that he knows “firsthand” about the power of HBCUs. His HBCU-trained elders in particular “often” taught him the power to put actions ahead of words.

“I am who I am because of my grandmother and mother, both of whom graduated from Spelman College. I am who I am because of my grandfather and father, both of whom graduated from Morehouse. It is on Spelman and Morehouse’s campus that they met, fell in love, and were married. As my elders often told me, ‘Deeds, not words.’”

Moving on to Jayson Council, another HBCU graduate, he noted that the program is a sign of Gersh and Spike’s “commitment to growing opportunities for AUCC graduates.”

“I joined Gersh to take on the task of identifying powerful opportunities and defining moments to foster cultural competency and accelerate social impact. As an HBCU graduate, I am extremely proud of Gersh and Spike for their dedication to expanding opportunities for AUCC graduates.”

Thank you to Spike Lee and The Gersh Agency for offering this opportunity to HBCU students in Atlanta!