Fellows will receive a combined $80,000 in scholarships and summer internships
WASHINGTON D.C. – Chevrolet is putting more students in the driver’s seat with
the expansion of its Discover the Unexpected (DTU) fellowship program. Now in its
second year, DTU provides college students from Historically Black Colleges and
Universities (HBCU) the opportunity to change the narrative of media reporting in the
African American community with the help of the National Newspaper Publishers
Association (NNPA).
The eight 2017 DTU Fellowship Program students are: Taylor Burris of Spelman
College, Darrell Williams of Morehouse College, Jordan Fisher of Clark Atlanta
University, Tiana Hunt of Clark Atlanta University, Kelsey Jones of Spelman College,
Ayron Lewallen of Morehouse College, Noni Marshall of Howard University and Alexa
Imani Spencer of Howard University.
Students will work in partnership with NNPA member papers in Washington D.C.,
Atlanta, New Orleans and Raleigh.
“Last year we were honored to launch the DTU fellowship program at Howard
University and meet a group of very talented journalism students,” said U.S. Vice
President of Chevrolet Marketing Paul Edwards. “Their enthusiasm, insight and
determination made the selection process extremely difficult. We’re excited to send
more trailblazers on the road to highlight the positive, inspire hope and document
the legacy of African American voices for generations to come.”
This year, DTU fellows will work with editors and reporters from the Washington
Informer, Atlanta Voice, Louisiana Weekly and The Carolinian.
“The NNPA is looking forward to welcoming the next group of fellows to the program,”
said NNPA President and CEO Dr. Ben Chavis Jr. “Our 2016 fellows showed that
despite the negative perceptions seen in the media, there are also beautiful and
powerful stories in African American neighborhoods across the country. Our 2017
Fellows will continue sharing stories of community advocates, making impactful and
lasting changes on a local and global level.”
The fellowship program is open to communications, mass media, and visual arts
students. A panel of judges consisting of NNPA and AUCC staff will conduct on-site
interviews during the program’s AUCC launch.
Chevrolet will award eight $10,000 scholarships to each fellow and provide a stipend
to defray the costs of traveling to and from school as they report on their stories. In
addition to the financial investment, Chevrolet will provide each fellowship team
access to the Next Generation 2018 Chevrolet Equinox during their reporting
assignments.
Legendary lyricist and hip hop pioneer MC Lyte will return as the program’s national
spokesperson and will be on-hand to kick-off the launch in Atlanta.
Information about the Discover the Unexpected Fellowship Program can be found at
www.nnpa.org/dtu.
About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing
business in more than 115 countries and selling more than 4.0 million cars and trucks a
year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging
performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and
easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be
found at www.chevrolet.com.
About NNPA
NNPA is a trade association of the more than 200 African American-owned community
newspapers from around the United States. Since its founding 75 years ago, NNPA has
consistently been the voice of the black community and an incubator for news that makes
history and impacts our country. As the largest and most influential Black-owned media
resource in America, NNPA delivers news, information and commentary to over 20 million
people each week. Americans from all backgrounds seek news from the Black perspective
from the NNPA member newspapers around the country. In America, now among the most
diverse countries in the world, the Black Press of America is more relevant than ever. To learn
more visit nnpa.org/dtu.
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CONTACTS:
Lester Booker Jr. Sonya Lewis
GM Diversity Communications Carol H. Williams Advertising
313-618-3946 708-439-0326
lester.bookerjr@gm.com Sonya.Lewis@Carolhwilliams.com
