WASHINGTON – Senior Sarah Jones-Smith will be one of six students from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to participate in the fifth class of the Rhoden Fellowship. The 2021-2022 Rhoden Fellowship class began Monday, June 7 and will conclude at the end of the 2021-2022 academic year.

Jones-Smith, from Orange County, California, has written for The Hilltop, Howard University News Service, the Spotlight Network and more. Throughout her time as a Rhoden Fellow, she aims to continue to improve her skills as a young journalist and share stories about the Black experience from various perspectives.

“It is imperative that we have people in media who are committed to telling our stories in accurate, meaningful ways. I strive to be a voice for Black people and highlight our culture the way it should be,” said Jones-Smith, a senior broadcast journalism major.

The Rhoden Fellowship is a one-year sports journalism internship program by The Undefeated that coaches aspiring African American journalists. Selected by a panel of senior editors at The Undefeated and award-winning sports columnist William C. Rhoden, the fellows represent future journalists of color from Florida A&M University, Hampton University, Howard University, Morgan State University and North Carolina A&T State University.

“My deepest appreciation to The Undefeated and ESPN for their unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion in journalism through their investment to the fellowship,” said Rhoden, who is the head of the Rhoden Fellowship. “Previous fellows are already making their marks in journalism. We welcome the fifth class of talented fellows and are excited to see the footprints they will leave.”

To learn more about the Rhoden Fellowship, visit theundefeated.com/rhoden-fellows

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About The Undefeated 

The digital hub, TheUndefeated.com, which launched in May 2016, combines innovative long-form and short-form storytelling, investigation, original reporting and provocative commentary to enlighten and entertain African Americans and sports fans seeking a deeper understanding of black athletes, culture and related issues. In addition to its cutting-edge content, The Undefeated seeks to be a thought-leader on race, sports and culture in the country – convening insightful forums to discuss and debate topical issues affecting sports and race in America.

About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that comprises 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue more than 140 programs of study leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 12 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. 

Media Contact: Aaliyah Butler, aaliyah.butler@howard.edu