Coca-Cola and the Emmy Awards are once again investing in the future of HBCU storytelling through the 2025–2026 Coca-Cola HBCU Sports Broadcasting Grant. This year, Florida A&M (FAMU) alumnus and nationally recognized comedian Roy Wood Jr. serves as an ambassador for the program, helping spotlight opportunities for student creators.
A National Platform for HBCU Student Storytellers
Each year, the initiative gives HBCU students a national stage to showcase their creativity. At the same time, it offers $40,000 in grant funding to support student-driven storytelling. Depending on final scores, the program may award funding to one, two, or three winning entries. Most importantly, the grant money goes directly to the students.
Turning Grant Funding Into Long-Term HBCU Impact
The same $40,000 HBCU grant competition helped fund the Emmy-winning project. As a result, students reinvested part of the award into scholarships and new resources for the Human Jukebox Media Team. Ultimately, their work created a lasting impact while strengthening storytelling infrastructure on campus.
As the new grant cycle begins, Coca-Cola and the Emmys continue to show that when it comes to authentic sports narratives, HBCUs lead the way.
