ATLANTA (August 11, 2023) — Spelman College is proud to announce that Spotify, the global music and podcast streaming platform, has awarded scholarships to five Spelman students through its NextGen program. Rising sophomores Rokiyah Darbo, Taylor Mills, Ashley Rawls, Bailey Johnson, and Tellisa Massey were selected to receive a $10,000 scholarship annually for three years. Beyond financial support, they'll also have the opportunity to become Spotify ambassadors.
The NextGen Scholarship provides multi-year funding for first-year students pursuing audio media careers, including podcasting, storytelling, writing, sound engineering, and music. Full-time enrollment and a minimum GPA of 3.0 are also prerequisites. These scholarships are an integral component of the NextGen program, powered by Spotify's Creator Equity Fund. This initiative aims to elevate podcast culture at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Spelman College was selected as the first HBCU to participate in the program.
Spelman Professor Michelle Hite, Ph.D., guided 17 students through a course focused on the NextGen audio-first curriculum during the Spring 2023 semester. The students created a seven-episode podcast series that explored the murder of Emmett Till and the enduring cultural legacy of his death.
“This collaboration between Spelman College and Spotify signifies a shared commitment to advancing education and fostering a more inclusive audio industry,” said Dr. Hite. With Spotify's support, these students are poised to shape the future of audio media, amplifying their voices and enriching the industry with fresh perspectives."
Taylor Mills, a theater and performance major, told Spotify the following when reflecting on her award, “Scholarships and learning opportunities from NextGen have endless possibilities. As a Spelman student, I am very grateful to NextGen because they have helped me financially and shown that they believe in my craft, creating spaces for HBCU students like me to thrive and learn about the business behind our future career goals.”
Earlier this year, Spotify hosted a Creator Day at Spelman bringing together 150 students and staff to learn about podcast creation from experts. They also launched a week long Spotify Labs Creator Program.