PROPEL Center and Apple host career accelerator for HBCU students
The historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) innovation hub, PROPEL Center, has brought together a cohort of 50 students from 19 HBCUs for two weeks of immersive learning activities, according to a news release.
These events are part of PROPEL’s Arts & Entertainment Industry Accelerator, a year-long experience launched in collaboration with the tech giant Apple exclusively for HBCU students. The program is designed to increase diversity in the arts and entertainment industry. The accelerator culminates with an immersive summer experience, which kicked off at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee, on June 10 and will conclude at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia, during the week of June 16.
Throughout the academic year, students in the program have earned micro-credentials via the PROPEL Learn app, developing skills in narrative development, storytelling, resume building, and career development, among other areas. As part of the summer experience, students are encouraged to collaborate on albums around the theme of "Propelling Preservation," which focuses on telling stories about the HBCU community and amplifying voices from within it. Participants will use Apple technology and tools to create music, design album art, and tell their stories through digital marketing.
In addition to the creative work, students will participate in career conversations and resume-building workshops, and spend time with industry experts at the Apple Music offices and an Apple Retail location in Nashville. The program will conclude with a showcase where teams will present their projects to a panel of industry judges, receive constructive feedback, and network with professional recording artists.
"Harnessing the undeniable power of creativity and collaboration has enabled PROPEL Center and Apple to establish a nurturing and inspiring environment to cultivate the many talents of our HBCU students," PROPEL Center President Lisa Herring said in a public statement. "This year's accelerator marks a continued commitment from Apple and our industry partners to help address equity and diversity gaps in the arts and entertainment industry and other critical business sectors."
Apple's support for the PROPEL Center and the 2024 Arts & Entertainment Industry Accelerator is part of the company’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, a global effort to expand career development and education opportunities for Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and Indigenous communities.
"Creativity is central to everything we do at Apple, and we're thrilled to help create more pathways into the arts and entertainment industries for HBCU students," said Alisha Johnson Wilder, Director of Apple's Racial Equity and Justice Initiative. "Through PROPEL Center's programming, we're helping expand opportunities for emerging creators from diverse backgrounds by ensuring these talented students have access to the technology, resources, and expertise they need to become leaders in the creative arts."
