June 3rd 2024.
The NBA has recently announced the third edition of its HBCU Fellowship program. This program offers a unique 10-week internship opportunity for students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities to gain hands-on experience in the professional basketball world. The NBA launched this program in 2022 with the goal of providing career and talent opportunities for students in the HBCU community.
According to NBA.com, Lauren Sills, head of operations for the NBA Foundation, expressed the league's motivation behind this initiative, saying, "When the league saw the need to do more for the HBCU community, we knew we had to develop a program that would give these students a chance to learn about the business side of basketball and pave their way into the sports industry."
The 2024 fellowship class, consisting of 70 fellows from 22 different HBCUs, was welcomed at a two-day professional learning event held at the NBA headquarters on May 23. The event kicked off with an HBCU all-star panel featuring successful NBA employees who were once a part of this program. Sills further explained, "Being able to create career pipeline initiatives for students who have similar experiences to mine is a truly unique opportunity that I am grateful for."
During the 10-week internship, the fellows will have the opportunity to work with almost all of the NBA franchises and one WNBA team. They will also travel to their respective team hubs and assist in various departments such as marketing, business, and more. The program aims to equip its participants with the necessary skills and insights to potentially grow in the business of basketball.
Fredrick Salyers, Senior Manager of Early Career Programs, highlighted the program's impact by saying, "Our fellowship program has revolutionized the traditional internship experience by offering access to a diverse range of departments and roles. It is a chance for students to discover the vast array of career opportunities available within the NBA." Salyers also added, "One of our main goals for the fellowship is to create a more sophisticated and intentional pipeline for students of color."
The NBA also hopes that by developing this pipeline and strengthening its alumni base, it will promote diversity and inclusivity throughout its community. The league is committed to providing equal opportunities for all and is dedicated to creating a diverse workforce. The HBCU Fellowship program is just one of the many steps the NBA is taking to achieve this goal.
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