By Gracie Scalzo
Entering its fourth year, the NBA Foundation’s NBA HBCU Fellowship Program offers career development opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Over a 10-week summer internship, fellows work with NBA teams and league offices in departments such as ticket sales, corporate partnerships, IT, social responsibility, marketing and more.
To celebrate the 2025 Fellowship Class and orientation tipoff this week, the NBA Foundation caught up with three alumni to shine a spotlight on their successes since their time as fellows. Their career trajectories demonstrate and highlight how the effects of this program have lasted well beyond those 10 weeks.
Aaron Pittman – Class of 2022
Interned with: Atlanta Hawks | Now: Community engagement, Memphis Grizzlies
Aaron Pittman entered the Fellowship in 2022 as a rising senior studying Kinesiology at North Carolina A&T. It was his first—and only—internship, but it quickly changed the direction of his career.
“This opportunity allowed a pivot for me,” Pittman recalled. “I went from Kinesiology to learning about sports management. If I hadn’t done the fellowship, I don’t know where I’d be today.”
Working with the Hawks, Pittman contributed to the analytical report for the team’s Million Meal Pack community initiative. He cites mentors like LaTonya DeBruce (manager, Learning & People Development) and Alexis Roe (VP, DEI Impact and Strategic Initiatives) as instrumental in his growth.
As a result of the internship, Pittman decided to stay connected with the Hawks through a virtual sales academy during his senior year. He credits the fellowship for solidifying his career in the sports industry. Today, he works with the Memphis Grizzlies’ Community Engagement team, focusing on education, civic service, and HBCU outreach, including the Grizz Ticket Assist program.
Channing Williamson – Class of 2022
Interned with: NBA office | Now: Senior manager, programming & content analysis (NBA)
Channing Williamson was pursuing her J.D. at Southern University Law Center when she joined the inaugural Fellowship class. Having previously studied at Pepperdine University, she wasn’t sure what to expect as a law student entering the sports industry.
“I thought, ‘What do you mean, I got this huge internship?’” she said. “You know it’s life-changing going in, so you try to prepare and represent your school the best way you can.”
During her 10 weeks at the league office, Williamson supported the national and local network partnerships team—an experience she described as eye-opening. “You have to come in with an open mind and be ready to learn,” she shared.
After completing law school, Williamson returned to the same department, working under her former supervisor Michael Verrone, VP of domestic programming. She now serves as senior manager of programming and content analysis, a full-circle moment that reflects the strength of relationships formed during her internship. Williamson shared that the fellowship heavily influenced the direction she took her career.
She also acknowledges mentors like Jasmin Marquez, who taught her how to navigate and understand the world of music licensing contracts, and India El, who helped her navigate corporate life as a woman of color.
Kameryn Ward-Stokes – Class of 2023
Interned with: Philadelphia 76ers | Now: Account manager, partnership marketing, Long Island Nets (G League)
In 2023, Kameryn Ward-Stokes joined the fellowship and spent the summer with the Philadelphia 76ers’ Corporate Partnerships Activation team. While he felt nervous at the outset, those quickly faded during orientation.
“Meeting Lauren Sills [Head of operations with the NBA Foundation] and engaging with Fearless Dialogues reminded us we were here for a reason,” he said. “We built a community in those two days that carried us through the summer.”
After the fellowship, Kameryn landed a year-long associate role with the Chicago Bulls. He credits mentors like Richy Pena (NBA Foundation Program & Grants Manager) and Julian Davis-Reid (Fearless Dialogues) for encouraging him to seize every opportunity and grow.
Today, he works with the Brooklyn Nets as an Account Manager in Partnership Marketing. His advice to new fellows? “Someday, one of those fellows will be looking to me for a job and vice versa. Never sell yourself short. You’re ready for the moment, no matter how big.”
The NBA Foundation tips off its 2025 Fellowship next week, and looks to build on the program’s success over the past four years.”
“We are thrilled to welcome the new cohort of Fellows to the NBA family,” said Lauren Sills, head of operations.
Over 20% of the program’s alumni have secured full-time positions with NBA teams, highlighting the exceptional talent that continues to thrive across both at the team level and the League office.
“It is our hope that their amazing accomplishments serve as inspiration for the incoming class, that they can achieve anything they put their minds to,” said Stills.
To stay connected to the HBCU Fellowship and the incoming class, follow the @NBAFoundation on Instagram, Facebook, and X.
