Spikle Lee and Gersh‘s HBCU fellowship program, Spike Lee Fellows, has partnered with Ralph Lauren in a new initiative aiming to provide professional attire to the program’s participants.
Launched last year, the Spike Lee Fellows program is designed to nurture creative undergraduate students from the Atlanta University Center Consortium, consisting of three Historically Black Colleges and Universities — Morehouse College, Spelman College and Clark Atlanta University — with a passion for the entertainment industry.
Each year, the initiative places five talented HBCU students, providing opportunities both in front of and behind the camera.
When the program was first announced in January 2023, Lee said, “From the jump, from the get-go, I knew when (not if) I opened a crack in the door, I was bringing as many Black and Brown folks with me in front and behind the camera.”
Last year, all five fellows secured full-time employment at Gersh following an immersive eight-week paid summer learning experience at the agency’s New York and L.A. offices. Supporting their transition into the next phase of professional development, Ralph Lauren provided a curated product assortment and individual styling appointments to the program’s first five Spike Lee Fellows.
“What makes this cross-industry partnership so meaningful is that it’s rooted in longstanding relationships where all parties share an unwavering commitment to providing access to transformative opportunities specifically for Black talent,” said Gersh’s head of culture, Jayson Council.
Spike Lee shouted out Ralph Lauren in a statement, adding, “Big Thanks to the good folks at Ralph Lauren for blessing our HBCU fellowship program with fashion for the seasons. We and the students truly appreciate it, peace and Love Ya-DIG SHO-NUFF?”
Gersh has opened applications for the second class of Spike Fellows.