N.C. A&T’s Black Named Rhoden Fellow for ESPN’s HBCU Journalism Training Initiative

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (June 17, 2022) – Alexis Black, an honors senior multimedia journalism student at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, has been named to the sixth class of Rhoden Fellows. The program is a training initiative for aspiring journalists from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in partnership with Andscape, a “reimagination, expansion and diversification of The Underfeated’s former platform.”

Black is A&T’s fourth fellow, following Alexis Davis, East Dockery and Donovan Dooley’s participation in 2021, 2019 and 2018, respectively. She will join five cohort members from Alabama State University, Florida A&M University, Hampton University, Howard University and Xavier University.

“Being selected for this opportunity is an honor. To know that over 100 students applied for this fellowship, and only six were chosen, means that someone saw something special in me. I'm excited to showcase my talents and represent the university for the fourth time this year,” said Black. “I'm extremely grateful for professors like David Squires and Dr. Robbie Morganfield, who have urged me to become a better journalist through their courses, and my mentor Alexis Davis, who has always been a phone call away to provide me with advice.”

A native of Prince George’s County, Maryland, Black is a student athlete, participating on the university’s cheerleading team since June 2020. She is a student reporter for Aggie News and a contributor for The A&T Register, focusing on sports reporting and social media management. Additionally, Black is an active member of the National Association of Black Journalists, and is the incoming president of the Associated Press Sports Editors after serving as vice president in 2021.

“We have an outstanding journalism and mass communication department; the students and professors want to see you win,” said Black. “They're always willing to help and support anything you want to pursue, and that's why I love my HBCU.”

The Rhoden Fellowship was established by HBCU graduate William C. Rhoden, a former award-winning sports columnist for The New York Times, “as an opportunity to increase diversity and inclusion in sports journalism.”

“I’m honored to welcome the sixth class of Rhoden Fellows into the Andscape family,” said Rhoden, Andscape columnist and editor-at-large. “You are a part of a great tradition of aspiring HBCU journalists who have come through our program. You will be working with an extraordinary team of professionals who will expand your horizons in ways you cannot imagine. Thanks to everyone within the Disney universe whose support of historically Black colleges and universities continues to make this unique fellowship possible.”

The cohort members will gain more experience producing podcasts, reporting and contributing to Andscape’s digital platform throughout the fellowship.

To follow Black’s upcoming reports, visit Andscape’s website.