*Filmmaker David E. Talbert has launched the “HBCU Next” fellowship program in partnership with the USC School of Cinematic Arts.
The program invites students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to participate in the USC School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) Summer Program to develop their skills in scriptwriting and filmmaking, Deadline reports.
“Our overall objective is to foster an environment for students from HBCUs and USC to engage in cultural exchange, learning from one another’s experiences and backgrounds, and to provide access to an education conducive to giving Black storytellers a pipeline to the entertainment industry,” said Talbert, who created the program with his wife and producing partner Lyn Sisson-Talbert, per Black Enterprise.
As part of the program, students will receive mentoring from Talbert, and HBCU graduates, including Forest Whitaker, Tim Story, Ruth Carter, JB Smoove, and Anika Noni Rose, will be invited to speak to HBCU Next scholars.
“Having graduated from an HBCU, and working in the business for over 30 years, I understand it’s never the artistry or intellect, but the access, that keeps people of Color from finding their way in,” Talbert said. “HBCU Next was created to bridge that gap. Our Next is now.”
Per Deadline, Elizabeth Daley, Dean of USC School of Cinematic Arts (SCA), added, “As we embark on this transformative journey, guided by the expertise of our esteemed SCA faculty and Mr. Talbert, we are committed to fostering and amplifying the diverse voices and rich cultural narratives these talented HBCU students will bring to USC, and eventually to the industry. Without a doubt, they are the next generation of trailblazers.”
As part of the program, “students will have access to courses in advanced screenwriting, advanced directing, animation, producing editing and gaming,” per Deadline.
David Weitzner, Director of the SCA Summer Program, said, “Programs like this can help us find the future leaders that will impact our industry. Sha-Shonna and Imani are model examples of the remarkably talented storytellers that are waiting to be discovered at HBCUs. The work they created this summer was simply extraordinary. We are so grateful to David and Lyn for their vision and generosity in establishing the HBCU Next program. We hope other industry partners will join us in awarding HBCU Next fellowships in the years to come.”
READ MORE: California Gov. Newsom Signs Bill to Fund Community College Students Transferring to HBCUs
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