How an innovative fellowship is forging pathways from HBCUs into sports and entertainment

The Atlanta Falcons have unveiled the 2025 HBCU Fellows Program, presented by Wells Fargo—a bold initiative now in its third year that offers paid, hands-on experience to talented students from local Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This year’s cohort of 14 Fellows from Morehouse College, Spelman College and Clark Atlanta University is gaining in-depth exposure to careers in sports, brand strategy, technology and entertainment.

Program Structure: Fellowship that Packs Power

The eight‑week paid fellowship immerses participants in 11 departmental rotations across AMB Sports & Entertainment, parent of the Falcons. Fellows rotate through high-impact areas such as photography, stadium production, cutting-edge sports tech, brand communications and content creation—developing real-world skills and professional networks.

Community Service: Giving Back at the Start

The program launched on July 10 with a volunteer day called A Brush with Kindness, hosted in collaboration with Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, the city and Wells Fargo. Joined by 75 volunteers—including staff, fellows and community youth—the group painted and pressure-washed homes for residents with limited mobility or financial resources. The day symbolized the fellowship’s commitment to civic engagement and social responsibility.

Experience Beyond the Desk

Beyond hands-on rotations and service learning, the Fellows gain mentorship from Falcons and Wells Fargo executives. They also take a guided trip to NFL headquarters in New York, where they observe league operations and industry standards. In addition, the cohort collaborates on a capstone project, tackling real-time challenges within sports or brand engagement—a capstone that sharpens entrepreneurial and strategic thinking.

Impact on HBCU Students and Industry

This initiative is more than resume-building. It is a direct channel into major industry sectors for students who often face limited exposure in elite networks. The Fellows Program nurtures future talent in sports, entertainment, media, marketing and financial communities, bridging the gap between campus and corporate life.

In partnering with Wells Fargo, the Falcons reinforce financial empowerment and brand integration within underserved communities—creating a robust model for inclusive career development.

Why It Matters: Equity and Access in Focus

By spotlighting HBCU students in professional settings, the program disrupts traditional access barriers. The Fellows gain hands-on career development, gain executive mentorship and build portfolios—while also grounding their experience in community purpose. Integrating service with development amplifies both personal growth and social impact.

Conceived and rolled out just three years ago, this program now reflects wider ambition—to scale inclusion and visibility across sports and entertainment. For the Fellows, the experience cements identity, visibility and credibility in industries historically lacking equitable entry points.