Stephen A. Smith is making another move in support of HBCUs, and this time, money is involved. As an ambassador for the HBCU Week Foundation, Smith is launching the HBCU Week Sports Scholarship Program, with the application opening on August 18th. Along with HBCU Week, he's partnering with Robert O. Wright for the scholarship. Wright is a 20-year-old Division 1 student-athlete who's putting $25,000 into the fund.
This marks the latest move that Smith is making in support of HBCUs. Smith has been an ambassador for HBCU Week since 2019 and has even broadcast ESPN's First Take from the event in the past. Smith is a Winston-Salem State University alumnus and a student-athlete on the men's basketball team under legendary coach Clarence âÂÂBig Houseâ Gaines.
Smith has also used his platform on First Take to promote HBCUs, broadcasting from various campuses over the years. In recent years, First Take has visited Tennessee State, Florida A&M, Norfolk State, Howard University, Delaware State, and even Winston-Salem. Smith also recently declared that he is in talks to produce and distribute HBCU basketball games. He said it in an August edition of his SiriusXM radio show.
Article Continues BelowâÂÂIâÂÂm about to ink a deal where weâÂÂre broadcasting HBCU basketball games,â Smith said. âÂÂIâÂÂm going to need some Black folks working for me as talent, as producers, and beyond. ThatâÂÂs what IâÂÂm doing!âÂÂ
First Take and ESPN also announced that Stephen A. Smith and the crew will visit two HBCUs this fall: Virginia State University on October 9 and Tuskegee University on November 6.