2023 NBA HBCU Fellowship class readies to make an impact

The NBA welcomed the 2023 NBA HBCU Fellowship class to the league offices on May 31, sharing knowledge, guidance and networking opportunities with 74 HBCU students and recent graduates before they travel across the country to spend the summer working for NBA teams. 

The 10-week paid fellowship program, now in its second year, is designed to provide career development around the business and operations of the game, as well as offer touchstones that reflect the culturally-relevant experience of attending an HBCU.  

Four of the interns spoke with NBA.com at last Thursday’s orientation session in Secaucus.

Jordyn Osby of Morgan State University and Taylor Headen of North Carolina A&T State University will take their talents to South Beach to work for the Heat this summer, while Aisha June of Howard University and Marquis Smalls of Hampton University are headed to Denver to join the Nuggets. 

“Now that I’m here, and I have an internship with the NBA, specifically the Miami Heat, it’s a ‘wow’ moment. I never thought this would happen to me,” Osby said. “I felt invisible for a lot of my life, and now I really feel seen and heard, and I think that’s what’s motivating me more. I’m proud of myself.” 

Osby, a first-generation college student and native of the Bay Area, said the idea of being selected for a spot in the fellowship initially seemed like a longshot. 

Her initial college plans had been interrupted, as she stayed home to help her family and attend community college. After graduating with an associate’s degree in psychology, she was hoping to move into a different field with the internship, earning a position in human capital. 

But the NBA x HBCU Fellowship Program still felt warm and welcoming, she said. Her confidence grew over the course of the interview process. Ultimately, she got the call. 

“My self-doubt is gone. Before, I always felt like I wasn’t qualified enough, like I didn’t have enough going for me,” Osby said. “But here, I feel motivated and driven — it’s nice to see how much everyone believes in you and supports you.” 

Prior to attending North Carolina A&T State University, Headen grew up in nearby Chapel Hill, playing basketball all her life.  

Applying to work for the NBA was a “dream,” she said. Coming from a math and science background, she was particularly excited to learn more about the analytics of the game.  

“It’s nice to take all your passions and put them all into one area, which is data analytics,” she said. “I’m super-excited to be getting experience in something that I’m passionate about, something that I see myself doing as a career.” 

June and Smalls said they were excited at the chance to further themselves professionally, as well as experience a taste of the Finals. 

“I’m looking forward to being able to develop as a professional, being able to be immersed into an experience where you’re meeting completely new people, working with an entirely new team,” June said. “Just being able to take all this in is amazing. I’m hoping to take away skills that can last forever, and relationships that can last even longer.” 

Smalls noted how thrilled he was to work for the NBA. He grew up a diehard Celtics fan, thrilled by the 2008 championship, surrounded by the culture of the game. 

“Who wouldn’t want to work for the NBA?” Smalls said. “Honestly, it’s a surreal feeling. How many people can say, coming out of college or still being in college, that they have NBA work experience? … I’m just extremely blessed.” 

Greg Taylor, Executive Director of the NBA Foundation, and Lesley Slaton Brown, NBA Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, said they hoped the fellowships would allow young people to bolster their professional skills and gain a better understanding of the opportunities available within the league. 

The effort is in keeping with the league’s “purpose-driven” brand, Slaton Brown said, and its continuing efforts to be a leader in social justice.

As they engage with fellows, employees are consciously showing care and passion, striving to invest in young people and purposefully share their time and attention, she said.

“The NBA is serious about social justice, about diversity, equity and inclusion, about ensuring that we impact the communities that we have the ability to reach,” Slaton Brown said. 

Through purposeful inclusion, Taylor and Slaton Brown said, the league and the fellows can change our society for the better, addressing the toll of racism and discrimination and allowing more people to chase their slice of the promise of the country. 

“What it does for the larger world is push us to what, I would say, is a more perfect union, a clearer understanding of equity and opportunity,” Taylor said. “What we’re saying, you have to be intentional to broaden that opportunity, so everybody has equal access to the American Dream and the incredible opportunities that this country affords.” 

There is tremendous talent at the HBCU level, they noted, just waiting to be tapped.

“The genius is in our communities,” said Taylor. “With a little bit of opportunity, a little bit of elbow grease, and you can really end up with a phenomenal group of young people who deserve every opportunity out there.” 

“I think you’re getting excellence. I think you’re getting new perspectives that bring creativity and innovation,” Slaton Brown said.

The fellows came to New York and New Jersey last week for a three-day series of events, including professional development workshops and a Finals watch party. 

During one forum discussion Wednesday, Lauren Sills (operations leader of the NBA Foundation), Mike Taylor (vice president of team marketing and business operations), Kamelah Muhammad (social responsibility program manager) and Moriah Lark (manager of social impact partners), shared their experiences as HBCU graduates and NBA employees with the fellowship class. 

As part of the larger conversation, which preceded a business lunch with league employees, they offered some advice to the young people.  

Taylor touched on the importance of refining skill over time, and finding a way to benefit the larger whole of the organization; Lark discussed the importance of building a baseline of professional abilities, which can serve as a platform to pursue change; Sills urged them to bring their creativity and brilliance to the program. 

And, throughout the conversation, the group urged the fellows to learn, grow and find a way to make their impact.  

“Don’t be afraid to leave your mark. You’re really powerful, and they need to know your stories,” said Muhammad. “Just continue telling people who you are, and having that conversation.” 

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The NBA x HBCU program is administered by the NBA Foundation, the league’s first-ever charitable foundation. The orientation was organized in conjunction with the Children’s Defense Fund and Fearless Dialogues, both nonprofit partners in the endeavor. 

Founded in the Summer of 2020, the NBA Foundation, a joint collaboration between the NBA, NBPA and NBA Governors, has pledged over $300 million over 10 years to create economic empowerment in Black communities. 

The 2023 class of fellows includes 74 students from 29 HBCUs, an increase from 2022’s class of 60 fellows attending 24 HBCUs.