Howard University is partnering with Amazon Studios to launch a new program aimed at diversifying Hollywood.
During Homecoming Week, at the end of his State of the University Address, Howard University President Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick announced Howard Entertainment, a pilot program to train students of color for careers in the entertainment industry, from film directing to marketing to entertainment law.
The two-semester program, starting in January 2020, will bring 14 to 15 Howard University students to the epicenter of the industry – Los Angeles, California.
During the spring semester, students will take an interdisciplinary curriculum of entertainment-related courses taught by Howard University faculty with the support of Amazon Studios staff. Coursework will count toward students’ graduation requirements. Over the summer semester, students will work in fellowships that give them hands-on experience in the entertainment industry as well as opportunities to network with entertainment executives.
The program “aligns with Howard’s strategic goals of enhancing academic excellence and inspiring new knowledge,” Frederick said. “Partnering with Amazon Studios will enable us to marry academia and industry efforts to build a robust workforce of diverse entertainment industry leaders.”
This isn’t the first Howard University program to blend academic learning with professional experience. For example, in 2017, the school launched Howard West, a partnership with Google where students take computer science courses and participate in a residency program at Google’s Mountain View campus.
The goal of Howard Entertainment is to help students develop the concrete skills they need to thrive in Hollywood roles.
