Six students from FAMU, including two students from the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (SJGC), recently attended Bloomberg’s HBCU Academy of Excellence in New York City, gaining first-hand exposure to the world of business journalism and financial reporting.
The three-day program brought together more than 70 students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) from across the nation. The initiative, part of Bloomberg’s larger diversity and inclusion efforts, promotes traditionally underrepresented students’ career aspirations in business and finance journalism.
The FAMU students were selected from an applicant pool of more than 800 scholars and included SJGC students Micah Barkley, editor in chief of the FAMUAN, and Cordell Jones, the FAMUAN’s chief of staff. Rattlers Carlynn Andrews, Amari Brown, Tosin Jolagun and Jalen Mason were also part of the 2024 cohort.
Barkley was also offered an internship during a career event held on campus last week. Her internship will begin next summer.
Students in the 2024 cohort engaged in mock interviews with Bloomberg associates, increased their knowledge of financial markets and were introduced to the fundamentals of business journalism.
Mira Lowe, SJGC dean, praised the program’s impact on SJGC’s students’ professional development.
“Bloomberg’s HBCU Academy of Excellence provides a unique platform for our students to sharpen their skills and broaden their career perspectives,” she said. “Real world exposure and experiences are vital for preparing them to thrive in the evolving media landscape.”
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