b'BERGs HBCU CoverageBusiness Employee ResourceESPN remains committed to highlighting Groups (BERGs) provideand celebrating Historically Black opportunities where employeesColleges and Universities, which is can network with peers, participateevidenced through our extensive in outreach and mentorshipprogramming.opportunities, and build new skillsIn the 2023 season, ESPN and and leadership capabilities to ESPN+ aired nearly 90 HBCU games. help develop their careers. These primarily featured the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Rhoden FellowshipSouthwestern Athletic Conference The Rhoden Fellowship, a partnership between Andscape (SWAC) and Southern Intercollegiate and The Walt Disney Company, provides access toAthletic Conference (SIAC). HBCU football coverage on ESPN opportunities for the next generation of sports journalists from Historically Black Colleges and Universitiesplatforms also featured school marching band performances (HBCUs). This initiative is under the stewardship of Andscapes editor-at-large and former New Yorkat halftimean integral part of the HBCU experience.Times award-winning columnist William C. Rhoden. In 2023, the Rhoden Fellows teamed up withFirst Take hosted its second on-site show for HBCU Week at the United Negro College Fund to further expand continued learning, professional development andWalt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla. to underscore journalism projects, and provide academic scholarships for the first time.our commitment to showcasing Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the country. The show featured an Journalism Partnerships appearance by Drum Major Mickey and performances by the Delaware State and Bethune-Cookman bands. ESPN strives to continually attract, develop and retain talented people that are representative of our expanding audience. We work closely with numerous journalism organizations, including theThe Cricket Celebration Bowl has established itself as a premier college football bowl game, while also National Association of Black Journalists, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, Asiancelebrating the heritage, legacy, pageantry and tradition of HBCUs. The schedule for this weekend event American Journalists Association, National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, Women in Cablein Atlanta was packed with events and activities, which culminated with the inaugural Band of the Year Telecommunications and others. In keeping with ESPNs commitment to expand access to new orNational Championship.existing opportunities for diverse professionals in the sports industry, ESPN sponsored the Black SportsAndscape debuted Why Not Us: Howard Golf. And then, NBA star Stephen Currys company, Unanimous Media, Business Symposium for the second consecutive year. served as executive producer. The piece follows the mens and womens golf teams at Howard University as the student-athletes and their coaches navigate the challenges and triumphs of an emerging Division I program.AWARD WINNERS #ChampionBlackBusinesses ESPN, in collaboration with the NBA, National Association of NAMIC Diversity in TechnologyCablefax Rising Tide AwardAndscape and ABC, launched year four of the Black Journalists AwardWOKIE DABOH award-winning Champion Black Businesses Hall of Fame Class of 2023 MARK WALKER Multichannel News Wonder(CBB) initiative in May 2023. CBB continues DAVID ROBERTS NAMIC LuminariesWomento elevate Black-owned businesses, SB Nations Outsports HEATHER ANDERSONCARRIE BREZEZINSKI-HSU showcasing the diversity and creativity of Outsports Power 100KEVIN MARTINEZ Black entrepreneurship and cementing their KATIE BARNESThe 2023 Diversity & Pride Listimportance by sharing their stories across IZZY GUTIERREZCablefaxs Most PowerfulPresented by Cablefax ESPN platforms during the NBA Finals and STEVE MASON WomenCHARA-LYNN AGUIARbeyond.KAITEE DALEYMARSHA COOKE National Association for ROSALYN DURANTROSALYN DURANT Multi-ethnicity inTINA THORNTON BRIAN LOCKHART Communications (NAMIC) FREDDY ROLN Next Generation LeaderMARIA SOARES CHARA-LYNN AGUIAR MARK WALKER20 21'