12 students to participate in CBC-UNC Diversity Fellowship Program, prepare for future in broadcast industry

The CBC-UNC Diversity Fellowship Program selected 12 top students from universities across the nation to engage in a hands-on workshop in March 2019 led by professionals of WRAL-TV and faculty members of the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media. Two of the selected dozen are Hussman School students — Kimothy Jones '19 (M.A.) and Maryam Mohamed '19.

The selected students are interested in becoming professionals in the broadcast industry as producers, reporters, photojournalists and web editors. During the five-day workshop, students will participate in producing reports and newscasts, as well as creating clips for their professional reels.

The 2019 participants include:

Tony Betton, Jr.
Georgia State University

“It’s such an honor and a privilege to be selected to participate in such a prestigiously diverse program. I look forward to gaining invaluable real-life experiences that will prepare me for my first job in the broadcast media industry, as well as having the overall opportunity to work with the UNC-CBC team and our other fellows.”

Christiana Ford
Kent State University

"I'm most excited to get to North Carolina and get hands-on experience working on a newscast in an area I've never been to with people I've never worked with. It is exactly the type of practice I need to get familiar with the job I'll be doing after graduation. Most people don't actually get a feel for this type of work until training once they're hired, so this opportunity is invaluable to me."

Kimothy Jones '19 (M.A.)
UNC-Chapel Hill

"I really feel honored to participate in a program that will involve many talented journalists from diverse backgrounds. It’s even cooler that it’s being run by a news station as well known as WRAL. I hope to gain more confidence in everything broadcasting as I go through the program."

Madison Jones
Virginia Commonwealth University

"I am so excited to participate in the fellowship. I was very shocked that I was chosen because the talent among this year's group is phenomenal, so I feel humbled and honored. I want to become a news reporter, and I know the knowledge I gain from this will help me get there."

Monica Manney
State University of New York at Fredonia

"I am honored to be selected to be a part of such an amazing fellowship. I look forward to working with my peers and industry professionals. My biggest objective is to get as much feedback as I can and expand my writing skills."

Clarisa Melendez
University of Florida

“I am incredibly thrilled and honored to partake in an invaluable experience alongside outstanding professionals in the field of journalism. Through the prestigious CBC-UNC Diversity Fellowship, I intend to further hone my skills in reporting, editing and writing for television broadcast news. I am determined to represent diverse communities through my storytelling as I use my platform to raise the voice of those unheard.”

Sofia Millar
University of Florida

"I think it’s so important to open a dialogue about diversity in news, which is what made me gravitate to the fellowship. We’re constantly talking to people in different communities and I believe reporters should be able to connect personally with various communities so to do justice by the stories of the diverse people sharing with us."

Maryam Mohamed '19
UNC-Chapel Hill

"I’m really thankful to have been selected to be a part of this incredible program. I really feel like it will be a fulfilling and enriching experience and I can’t wait to see what I get out of it."

Sunny Morgan
West Chester University

"The CBC-UNC Fellowship is an exciting opportunity for us student journalists to get real-world, hands-on practice telling stories and meeting deadlines. I hope that this will be a big learning opportunity for me as I prepare to graduate. I'm excited to grow to love this career even further."

Claudia Perez Brito
University of Florida

"I feel privileged to take part in this opportunity and learn from skilled industry professionals. It's a unique chance for me to learn how to produce from a new perspective, which I'm always interested in. I hope to not only be able to network but also be able to acquire new skills that'll make me an attractive job candidate in the future."

Maya Reese
Howard University

"I'm excited about the chance to walk this path that has been traveled by so many industry trailblazers. What an awesome opportunity to report on things I'm passionate about, in such a historic place."

Courtney Wallen
High Point University

"I’m very excited to participate in the program. I’m looking forward to working with the amazing industry professionals at WRAL. I’m really excited to connect with other like-minded students, too."