THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE (NAACP) AND THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK CREATE NEW FELLOWSHIP AT USC SCHOOL OF CINEMA-TELEVISION

As part of on-going efforts to broaden the diversity of talent emerging from the USC School of Cinema-Television, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the CBS Television Network have united to create the NAACP/CBS Fellowship, a partnership that supports, encourages and educates new voices within the industry, it was announced today by Dean Elizabeth Daley.

The new Fellowship will be awarded to students at the USC School of Cinema-Television whose work offers a fresh perspective on ways in which minorities are represented in entertainment.  In addition to providing students with financial assistance for their studies, CBS executives will mentor the recipients throughout their academic program. Students will also intern at the NAACP Hollywood Bureau and have the opportunity to gain production experience on the NAACP Image Awards.

Akela Cooper, a second year MFA student in the School’s Division of Screen and Television Writing, is the first recipient of the Fellowship.  Cooper’s career as a writer lead her to pursue film and television because she believes it to be the best way to express her overactive imagination.

“There is a dire need for a more inclusive group of creative talent within the entertainment industry,” said Dean Daley.  “USC is pleased to join forces with the NAACP and CBS, who have made it a priority to identify and encourage individuals from various ethnicities, cultures and financial backgrounds and introduce their ideas and voices to the screen.”

Bruce S. Gordon, President & Chief Executive Officer of the NAACP states: "The NAACP/CBS Fellowship is a wonderful way to help increase the number of talented minorities seeking a career in the entertainment industry.  The NAACP looks forward to continuing to partner with CBS and the USC School of Cinema-Television to encourage greater opportunities for minorities in the television and movie business.  I congratulate Akela Cooper on winning this fellowship and wish her much success as a film and television writer."

CBS Chairman Leslie Moonves states:  “The diversity of performers and artists on the TV screen needs to reflect the diversity of the audience we serve…and a key component of that process starts with nurturing young creative talent with a wide range of backgrounds and ethnicities.  We’re thrilled to partner with the NAACP and USC on this program, which will provide means and access for the scholarship recipients, and an opportunity for CBS to be part of developing the next generation of diverse talent to feed new ideas and voices into our industry.”

The NAACP/CBS Fellowship bolsters existing scholarships at the School, including the Creative Artists Agency Scholarship which has been in place since 1997, and the Courtney and Steven J. Ross Fellowship which has been helping students since 1996.  Bill Cosby has also demonstrated tremendous support for the School’s diversity initiative.  The world renown entertainer and supporter of education is responsible for establishing the Summer Youth Institute for Film and Television, which introduces local high school students to the behind-the-scenes world of film and television, and the Guy Hanks & Marvin Miller Screenwriting Program, a writing workshop for promising young writers from diverse ethnic backgrounds which integrates the study of African-American history.