Spikle Lee and Gersh's HBCU fellowship program, Spike Lee Fellows, has teamed up with Ralph Lauren in a new initiative to offer professional attire to its participants. The program, launched last year, is aimed at nurturing creative undergraduate students from the Atlanta University Center Consortium, comprising Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Clark Atlanta University, who have a keen interest in the entertainment industry.
Every year, the Spike Lee Fellows program selects five talented HBCU students, providing them with opportunities both in front of and behind the camera. The program has been well-received, with all five fellows from the inaugural year securing full-time employment at Gersh after completing an immersive eight-week paid summer learning experience at the agency's New York and L.A. offices.
To support the fellows in their professional development journey, Ralph Lauren has stepped in by offering a curated product assortment and individual styling appointments to the first group of Spike Lee Fellows. This collaboration between Spike Lee Fellows and Ralph Lauren is significant as it underscores a commitment to providing access to transformative opportunities specifically for Black talent.
Gersh has now opened applications for the second class of Spike Lee Fellows, continuing its mission to empower and uplift aspiring creatives from HBCUs. The program's founder, Spike Lee, expressed gratitude to Ralph Lauren for their support, emphasizing the importance of such partnerships in creating pathways for Black and Brown individuals in the entertainment industry.
