Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (SJGC) proudly welcomes the newest cohort of students selected to join the prestigious Disney Storytellers Fund. This transformative program, established during the 2022-2023 academic school year by The Walt Disney Company, provides financial support and mentorship to aspiring journalists dedicated to shaping the future of storytelling.
The Disney Storytellers Fund at FAMU prepares students to become leading communicators through “academic engagement, professional development, and mentorship.” Students selected this year will collaborate with their peers from previous cohorts to build relationships and further develop their professional skills.
A core component of the Disney Storytellers Fund at FAMU includes the opportunity for the cohort to participate in a summer internship at The Walt Disney Company.
Kayla Delcham, a senior broadcast journalism scholar, interned as a production assistant with The View as part of the Disney Storytellers Fund at FAMU. Delcham said she quickly learned how to navigate the fast-pasted television broadcast environment and gained skills necessary to be successful in the field. “I learned what goes into making a broadcast run smoothly.”
The 2024-2025 cohort includes Taylor Adams, Bianca Holsey, Tai Johnson, Hannah Kirby, Kennedy Richardson, Naji Rutherford and Ernest Walker. Returning members from the 2023-2024 cohort are Sydney Bellamy, Germanie Bozeman, Kayla Delcham, Jalynn McDuffey and Auriel Patton. Each student will receive a scholarship, direct learning opportunities, and access to industry professionals who will help guide their growth as storytellers.
“We are thrilled to welcome these talented students into the Disney Storytellers Fund family,” said Mira Lowe, FAMU SJGC dean. “This program will not only support their academic journeys, but also helps them cultivate the skills and creativity needed to thrive in our ever-evolving profession.”
The incoming cohort represents students from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique perspective and a shared passion for journalism and storytelling. The selection committee consisting of FAMU, SJGC, and Disney representatives chose students who met specific criteria including being currently enrolled in an SJGC program and exceling academically with a demonstrated interest in journalism, media, public relations or graphic design. Final selections were determined by SJGC faculty and staff.
