Chevrolet recently concluded its Discover the Unexpected (DTU) internship program by hosting ten HBCU students from across the U.S. for a series of closing activities. The students, selected for their marketing, communications, and content creation skills, completed a ten-week immersive experience focused on the automotive industry’s latest advancements and professional growth opportunities. The program, in partnership with the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), is designed to offer real-world experience and mentorship for aspiring journalists and marketers from historically Black colleges and universities.
Throughout the program, the interns collaborated with NNPA journalists and embarked on a curated road trip featuring the 2024 Chevrolet Trax. Highlights of their journey included covering major events like the Major League Baseball tribute to the Negro League at Rickwood Field in Alabama, and the 2nd Annual Swingman HBCU All-Star Game during MLB All-Star Weekend in Arlington, Texas. Alongside their reporting duties, the students documented their social media experiences, creating content highlighting their journey and Chevrolet’s latest vehicle offerings.
Now in its eighth consecutive year, the program continues to foster professional growth through mentorship. This year’s DTU mentors and ambassadors, all HBCU alumni, provided invaluable guidance. Television host and actor Terrence Jenkins, known as Terrence J, returned as an ambassador for his third year, offering insight and support to the fellows.
“College is a formative experience, and the opportunities provided through DTU can significantly impact future success,” said Jenkins. “As a proud HBCU graduate, I’m thrilled to continue working with Chevrolet and NNPA to inspire the next generation of talented communications, journalism, and marketing professionals.”
Chevrolet’s commitment to the DTU program was reinforced by Steve Majoros, chief marketing officer at Chevrolet. “Our new tagline, ‘Together Let’s Drive,’ reflects how DTU, Chevrolet, and the NNPA work together to provide mentorship and real-world experience. It helps students align with successful career trajectories, and we’re proud to support them as they rise to the occasion.”
NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin Chavis echoed the program’s impact. “DTU is life-changing for HBCU students. It prepares them for future careers and provides both professional and personal growth.”
The 2024 DTU internship began on June 12 and concluded with a ceremony in Detroit on August 9. Each student received $18,000 in scholarships and stipends, bringing Chevrolet’s total contributions to $930,000 since the program’s inception. Over the years, 69 students from 23 HBCUs have benefited from the DTU experience, which continues to support the next generation of leaders in marketing, journalism, and communications.
For more information about Discover the Unexpected, visit https://www.nnpa.org/chevydtu/.
