HBCU Week NOW Officially Launched Nationwide In Search For The Next Generation of HBCU Storytellers

OWINGS MILLS, MD — HBCU Week NOW, the award-winning digital content destination, produced by Maryland Public Television, celebrating the culture, history, and future of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, has launched “Fresh Faces. Fresh Voices.” The initiative centers on a nationwide search for student storytellers, journalists, filmmakers, content creators, and on-camera personalities to represent HBCU campuses across the country.

The initiative will select four to six HBCU students and recent graduates as “Fresh Faces. Fresh Voices.” ambassadors. These individuals will create original content capturing the authentic experiences, achievements, and culture shaping HBCU life today. Applications are being accepted now through September 14. Additional information is available at hbcuweeknow.com.

“Fresh Faces. Fresh Voices.” builds on HBCU Week NOW’s standing as one of the nation’s fastest-growing destinations for HBCU storytelling. It is home to award-winning documentaries, exclusive interviews, commencement addresses, student-produced films and original digital series, built through partnerships with public media organizations, filmmakers, universities and cultural institutions.

“HBCUs have produced extraordinary leaders, innovators, artists, and changemakers,” explains Travis Mitchell, Maryland Public Television senior vice president and chief content officer and founder of HBCU Week NOW. “Fresh Faces. Fresh Voices.” gives today’s students the opportunity to tell those stories from their own perspective. We want the next generation of storytellers to help shape how the world experiences HBCUs. Whether you’re a filmmaker, journalist, influencer, podcaster, photographer, or simply someone with a unique voice, we want to hear from you.”

“Fresh Faces. Fresh Voices.” places student creators at the center of HBCU Week NOW’s editorial ecosystem on a year-round basis, not only specific events. Selected creators will produce original content across multiple formats, including:

• Campus news and culture coverage

• Day-in-the-life features

• Student and alumni profiles

• Behind-the-scenes access

• Original short-form video for social media

• Long-form digital storytelling and documentary content

• Coverage of campus traditions, innovation, arts, and athletics

• Commentary on issues shaping HBCU communities

Content will be distributed across HBCU Week NOW’s expanding digital ecosystem beginning in 2026, including YouTube, social media, streaming platforms, and HBCUWeekNow.com, connecting audiences to HBCU life through authentic student voices.