WASHINGTON – William A. Davis2021 Howard Law graduate was announced as part of the inaugural class of the Cinema Association (AMP) and the Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program (EICOP) Fellowship Program in Entertainment Law and Policy.
This unique and prestigious one-year scholarship is aimed at recent college, university and law school graduates. historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs), and other minority-serving institutions (MSIs). The scholarship is designed to expand the pipeline and increase opportunities for graduates from diverse backgrounds to enter the entertainment industry.
“The Howard University School of Law was central to developing my interest in entertainment law. The different organizations I was exposed to at HUSL helped me to understand the possibilities that were available in this area. Before coming to Howard, I knew I I wanted to work in the field of entertainment law, but Howard helped me develop myself intellectually property, and for that, I’m extremely grateful,” Davis said. “I am thrilled to be the first EICOP-MPA Entertainment Law Fellow. Having the unique opportunity to meet key players in the entertainment industry has been extremely rewarding. I look forward to what the program has to offer during my tenure in this role.”
The MPA-EICOP Entertainment Law & Policy Fellowship is a revolutionary one-year program. Fellows will move from the MPA’s office in Los Angeles to its world headquarters in Washington, D.C., and complete the program at one of the association’s member studios: Disney, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount, Sony Pictures, or Warner Bros. The scholarship is designed to remove barriers to entry into the entertainment industry by providing financial support, paid housing and travel, and a living allowance.
“We are the leading global advocate for the film, television and streaming industry, representing some of the world’s biggest content creators. This scholarship program reflects our commitment to expanding and diversifying the talent pool not only in front of and behind the camera, but also within our association,” said Charles Rivkin, President and CEO of the Motion Picture Association. “William and Rhyan were selected because of their keen interest in pursuing politics and law in the entertainment industry, their outstanding academic achievements and endorsements, as well as their extensive community service and dynamic leadership.. The MPA and our member studios are thrilled to have both joined as our first MPA-EICOP Entertainment Law and Policy Fellows.
“No matter what you study in school or your background, there are opportunities and a place for you in the entertainment industry,” said Stacy Milner, President and CEO of Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program. “These incredible fellows prove it, and we can’t wait to see the impact they will have on the industry through this unique program.”
Throughout the one-year program, fellows gain experience working alongside some of the industry’s top legal and government affairs executives. In addition to the program’s hands-on and in-depth exposure to various sectors of entertainment law and policy, fellows will travel on-site to studios and visit top entertainment law firms. They will also interact with other industry professionals and peers at networking and industry-related functions to complement their experience.
Fellows were selected through a comprehensive and highly competitive process. The the selection committee in charge of evaluating and reviewing applications represents executives and managers from the following organizations: Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA), Japanese American Citizens League, National Hispanic Media Coalition, National Urban League, Native American Media Alliance, US House of Representatives’ Office on Diversity and Inclusion, White House Initiative on Advancing Education Equity for Hispanics, and the White House HBCU Initiative.
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About the Motion Picture Association:
The Cinema Association, Inc. (MPA) is the global voice and advocate for the motion picture, home video and television industries. It works around the world to advance the creative industry, protect its members’ content across all screens, champion the creative and artistic freedoms of storytellers, and support innovative distribution models that expand viewing choices for audiences around the world. whole world.
The MPA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative supports 51 educational, multicultural, and civil rights institutions, including the White House Initiative on HBCUs and Southern University and A&M College. The program is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary and its fifth year as an EICOP partner.
Member studios of the association are Netflix Studios, LLC; Paramount Pictures Corporation; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Universal City Studios LLC; Walt Disney Studios movies; and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Charles Rivkin is President and Chief Executive Officer.
ABOUT EICOP:
The Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program EICOP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts workforce development program, dedicated to educating, training, and recruiting the best and brightest student leaders in our nation’s HBCUs. and other predominantly minority institutions for careers in all aspects of entertainment, media, sports, music and technology.
Its flagship program, HBCU in LAwas launched in partnership with former President Obama White House Initiative on HBCUs. Since its launch, MPA has been an important partner in creating access for HBCU law students to participate in this important diversity pipeline development initiative. The MPA and its six member studios are all existing partners of EICOP and its programs.
Media Contact: Michelle Bailey; [email protected]; (202) 491-4872
