By Jackson State University
The world’s largest express transportation company, today announced the launch of the FedEx-HBCU Student Ambassador Program with select Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Jackson State University (JSU) student Jay’La Manor, a junior business major from Las Vegas, Nevada, and Ezra Snell II, a sophomore sociology major from Clinton, Mississippi, will represent the institution in the inaugural cohort. FedEx leaders, school presidents, and select student program participants will participate in a special ceremonial presentation during the ringing of The Closing Bell® at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) today at 4 p.m. ET commemorating the launch of the program and a nationwide celebration of Black History by using the following links:
“Jackson State University is honored to ring the closing bell with FedEx and fellow HBCU representatives at the New York Stock Exchange in recognition of the new FedEx Student Ambassador Program,” said President Thomas K. Hudson, J.D. “We thank FedEx for their commitment to building a diverse talent pipeline, which is reflective of the type of meaningful relationships we must continue to foster between corporate America and our institutions.”
The program demonstrates a continued commitment to help prepare students who attend HBCUs to be future leaders with opportunities to learn about the FedEx enterprise from executives, build leadership and career-ready skills, and participate in unique experiences, while also helping to expand the company’s pipeline for diverse talent.
Student participants were selected from the following HBCUs:
- Jackson State University (Jackson, Miss.)
- Tennessee State University (Nashville, Tenn.)
- LeMoyne-Owen College (Memphis, Tenn.)
- Mississippi Valley State University (Itta Bena, Miss.)
- Lane College (Jackson, Tenn.)
- Paul Quinn College (Dallas, TX.)
- Miles College (Fairfield, Ala.)
- Fayetteville State University (Fayetteville, N.C.)“The FedEx-HBCU Student Ambassador program will continue to strengthen our important relationships with HBCUs across the country,” said Judy Edge, corporate vice president of human resources at FedEx. “We’re preparing tomorrow’s leaders, and the students we reach through this program will gain valuable practical experience that will help prepare them to enter the workforce. It will also help us to continue to bring diverse talent into our pipeline at FedEx.”The program will officially kick off in March, with the first cohort of students who will participate in virtual and hybrid meetings. The intent is to introduce a new cohort each year, to align with the five-year commitment to HBCUs that FedEx announced last year.
“It is a distinct honor to represent my dear ole college, Jackson State University, as a FedEx HBCU Student Ambassador. As a business entrepreneurship major, the opportunity to network with fellow HBCU students and fortune 500 CEOs will allow me to increase my knowledge base that will prepare me for life after college,” said Manor. “I am excited and can’t wait to experience all of the FedEx HBCU Student Ambassador Program’s opportunities and create a long-lasting relationship between Jackson State and FedEx.”
Students were selected based on their career interests in various areas, including e-commerce, sustainability, IT/tech, logistics, marketing communications, sales, data/analytics, operations, and more. The students will have the opportunity to participate in seminars designed to provide empowerment, engagement, and education; plus, access to resources that will hopefully offer them an edge as they prepare to enter the workforce after college. In addition, the first cohort of student participants will help set the direction for upcoming FedEx Ambassador programs, such as career pathways initiatives, HBCU leadership institutes, and student forums/think tanks.
FedEx also hosted a ‘Listen and Learn’ conversation with NASCAR drivers Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace with sports representatives from Tennessee State and Jackson State Universities. Hamlin unveiled a special HBCU paint scheme featured on his #11 FedEx Toyota during last year’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona; and presidents from Tennessee State University, Jackson State University, LeMoyne-Owen College and Mississippi Valley State University participated in a virtual roundtable discussion.
