No one can tell our story like we can tell our story. And if we want to shape the narrative that mainstream media reports about the African American community, then we need to be the voice of that narrative.
This is why we are so happy to share that the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and Chevrolet have partnered on the first-ever “Discover the Unexpected” (DTU) Journalism Fellowship.
DTU is specifically being launched at Howard University to find that next generation of writers and photographers and social media experts that can not only gather up the cultural genius of our community but report it to the world. – Dr. Benjamin Chavis, JR., President and CEO, NNPA
Eight African American students from Howard University were selected to participate in this program, in which they will be driving all-new 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles for the summer to find compelling news stories and using the technology in the Chevrolet Malibu (like the built-in 4G-LTE Wi-Fi) to help gather and share their stories. Additionally, each DTU participant will receive mentorship from an NNPA newspaper, a $10,000 scholarship and a stipend.
And if that’s not enough to get you excited about this program, hip-hop icon and master storyteller MC Lyte has joined the program as their national spokeswoman. She will share her experiences as a storyteller and encourage the students to use their voices to “blaze new trails.”
Young people have always been on the forefront of reporting what’s happening in the African American community,” said MC Lyte. “I’m excited to be involved with emerging young writers who have the power to shape our voices the same way hip hop emcees broke ground, telling our stories.
I'm passing the mic to the next generation of storytellers. @HIPHOPSISTERS #NNPA #DiscoverTheUnexpected #Chevy #ad https://t.co/DpgFShR0Iq
— MC Lyte (@mclyte) May 9, 2016
The students were tasked with visiting four major cities (such as Atlanta, Washington, Chicago and Detroit) and writing stories about the experiences of the people in those communities.
I am so impressed by the articles that they have published so far. For instance, Victoria Jones wrote PUSH FOR DC STATEHOOD PICKS UP STEAM for the Washington Informer, where she reports on the issue of whether the District of Columbia will become the United States’ 51st state.
And Sidnee King wrote LOVE AND RESPECT INSPIRES DETROIT NATIVE TO LAUNCH CONFLICT RESOLUTION CENTER for the Chicago Defender, in which she reports on the efforts to stop violent crimes within the black community.
https://youtu.be/5WkAPCxpMJA
DTU is empowering the next generation of storytellers. Please support this effort by reading their articles, commenting on their articles and sharing them on social media – – visit NNPA.ORG/DTU
Photo credit feature image: ChicagoCrusader.com
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Chevrolet . The opinions and text are all mine.