NNPA and Chevrolet ‘Discover the Unexpected’ at Fellowship fete

The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and Chevrolet hosted a special luncheon during the Congressional Black Caucus to recognize journalism students from Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) who completed their 2017 Discover the Unexpected (DTU) Journalism Fellowship. Over the summer, eight students representing Clark Atlanta University, Howard University, Morehouse College and Spelman College worked with NNPA editors and reporters at NNPA newspapers - Washington Informer; Atlanta Voice; Louisiana Weekly; and The Carolinian.

Legendary lyricist and hip hop pioneer MC Lyte, the program’s national spokesperson, served as emcee. Michelle Matthews-Alexander, diversity marketing manager, Chevrolet awarded the Fellows with a special certificate of achievement for their journalism work. Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Jr., president and CEO, NNPA discussed how the Fellows worked with veteran journalists to gain hands-on experience and used their unique talents in digital and social media news and content development. Dorothy Leavell, chairman, NNPA discussed the importance of mentoring the next generation journalists.

The event was held at Renaissance Washington DC Downtown Hotel.

The goal of the NNPA DTU Fellowship program, sponsored by Chevrolet, is to support the next generation of African American journalists and storytellers to blaze new trails in journalism. The DTU program launched in 2016 at Howard University and expanded in 2017 to include four HBCUs. The DTU Fellows discovered and delivered positive, unexpected news stories that impact their communities. The Fellows used the all-new 2018 Chevrolet Equinox during their reporting assignments to help them discover real news stories. To find out more on the program visit www.nnpa.org/dtu.

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 100 countries and selling more than 4.0 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

NNPA is a trade association of the more than 200 African American-owned community newspapers from around the United States. Since its founding 75 years ago, NNPA has consistently been the voice of the black community and an incubator for news that makes history and impacts our country. As the largest and most influential Black-owned media resource in America, NNPA delivers news,

information and commentary to over 20 million people each week. Americans from all backgrounds seek news from the Black perspective from the NNPA member newspapers around the country. In America, now among the most diverse countries in the world, the Black Press of America is more relevant than ever.