WASHINGTON — Recent Howard University graduate and budding journalist Miana Massey aimed high after graduation, securing a fellowship of her dreams. This summer, Massey is one of six participants from Historically Black Colleges and Universities selected for the Chevrolet and the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) 2019 Discover the Unexpected Journalism (DTU) Fellowship.

“I really want to be a local news reporter,” said Massey, a native of Baltimore, Md. “This is really going to help me further my career.”

She earned her bachelor degree in public relations and business administration this Spring, but also has an interest in broadcast journalism. As a fellow, she will travel the country to discover and share positive, inspirational and relevant stories from African American communities during the eight-week summer internship, with the support of NNPA editors and reporters.

“This week I’m focused on health. I’m doing a story on testicular cancer and young men. We also did a story on Sudan,” said Massey. Her stories will vary as the fellowship allows for creativity, and what Howard University prepared her for once in the field.

The DTU Fellowship takes place June 6 – August 1, 2019. As a DTU fellow, she will work with the Atlanta Voice, Chicago Crusader, Houston Forward Times and The Washington Informer. Her journey began in Atlanta, where she participated in two days of journalism training with Chevrolet and NNPA leadership before hitting the road to begin reporting assignments. Her stories will be featured on the NNPA website (www.nnpa.org/chevydtu) throughout the summer.

Additionally, Massey and the other fellows, will be awarded a $10,000 scholarship and a $5,000 stipend. She is grouped into a team of three people, which will have access to an all-new 2019 Chevrolet Blazer during the fellowship to support their work. She also has the opportunity to connect with and be supported by two prominent HBCU alumni: Music Producer DJ Envy, a co-host of the syndicated radio show, “The Breakfast Club,” who is the program’s national spokesperson; and Musician and Author Fonzworth Bentley, who will serve as the fellows’ Road Trip Advisor.

The annual DTU program has awarded more than $330,000 in scholarships and stipends since 2015.  The program started with a select number of schools and, based on the overwhelming response, the online submission process was opened to all HBCU students in their sophomore through senior years with an interest in journalism, communications, mass media or visual arts.

“Our partnership with the NNPA continues to provide a unique platform to connect with young and remarkable storytellers,” said U.S. Vice President of Chevrolet Marketing Paul Edwards. “From the inaugural launch at Howard University to the inclusion of all the HBCUs, it’s Chevrolet’s pleasure to partner with members of the African American community, ensuring a legacy is established for generations to come. We’re thrilled to meet this year’s group of fellows and immerse them in all things Chevrolet.”

“The NNPA is excited to partner with Chevrolet for another year in support of young journalists to amplify community voices across our country,” said NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. “Having these young journalists in our newsrooms working side by side with our editors and writers is inspiring and we are committed to including young storytellers’ voices in our reporting.”

Once the fellowship is complete, Massey will return to CNN in August as a news assistant, where she previously interned, hopeful to be more advanced in the field of journalism.

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About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States.  For more information on Howard University visit www.howard.edu

Media Contact: Imani Pope-Johns, Imani.popejohns@howard.edu                      

About the Discover the Unexpected Journalism (DTU) Fellowship

Chevrolet and the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) are giving HBCU students an exciting opportunity to Discover the Unexpected (DTU) about themselves, our communities and everyday people making a real difference. Using NNPA’s professional resources, and the All-New 2019 Chevrolet Blazer’s innovative technology, DTU Fellows will share stories that shatter perceptions, jump-start their journalism careers, and encourage us all to Discover the Unexpected. Learn more about the Discover the Unexpected Journalism Fellowship at www.nnpa.org/chevydtu.                                                                

About Chevrolet

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.

About NNPA

NNPA is a trade association of 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. To learn more visit www.nnpa.org/dtu

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