SC State career pathway event with NFL, Amazon reaches 600 HBCU students

Amazon Web Services and the NFL actively sought students interested in cybersecurity and other employment options.

ORANGEBURG, S.C. – South Carolina State University recently partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the National Football League (NFL) to host a groundbreaking career pathway event at the Martin Luther King Jr. Auditorium on campus.
 
The Oct. 21 event welcomed over 600 students from South Carolina’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), including SC State, Claflin University, Voorhees University, Denmark Technical College, Benedict College, Morris College and Clinton College.

“This event provided students with invaluable exposure to executives who reflect their backgrounds, reinforcing the attainability of leadership roles within multibillion-dollar corporations like AWS and the NFL,” said Dr. David Staten, SC State’s associate provost and associate vice president for academic affairs. “The opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders offered students mentorship and insights into potential career paths, underscoring the importance of diversity in the corporate world.”
 
Both AWS and the NFL actively sought students interested in cybersecurity and other employment options, demonstrating their dedication to recruiting diverse talent and providing pathways to meaningful careers.

Highlights

• Welcome and Introductions: SC State President Alexander Conyers, AWS VP of Proactive Security Chris Haggard, and representatives Justin Price (AWS) and Karley Berry (NFL) opened the event, emphasizing innovation, leadership, and inclusion.
• Women in Football Panel: NFL professionals Dhriti Yandapally, Saenea Williams, and Karley Berry discussed their experiences and the evolving role of women in the industry.
  Financial Literacy Session: Theodore Daniels from the Society for Financial Education & Professional Development provided insights on achieving financial stability during and after college.
•  NFL Legends Panel: The panel featured NFL Director of Communications and SC State alumnus Avis Roper, along with former NFL players Robert Porcher III and Darius “Shaq” Leonard, and Howard University alum, Antoine Bethea. They shared their career journeys and emphasized the importance of resilience and community engagement.
• Game Development and Security Discussion: Experts Justin Price (AWS), Brian Lozada (AWS), and Keshia Walker (Black College Gaming Association) explored the intersection of gaming and cybersecurity.
• Inclusion in the Workplace Panel: Leaders from AWS and the NFL, including EJ Richardson (NFL) and Kourtney Hayes (Amazon), discussed pathways to diversity and representation in their industries.
• Entertainment: As a memorable conclusion to the day, students were treated to a surprise performance by rapper T-Grizzly, adding an element of celebration and unity to the event.
•  Media Coverage: The event garnered media attention, including coverage by Forbes Magazine. Conyers was interviewed, highlighting the university’s commitment to creating opportunities for HBCU students and fostering partnerships that prepare them for the competitive workforce.