Rhoden Fellows

The Rhoden Fellows Initiative is a one-year training program for the next generation of sports journalists from historically black colleges and universities, headed by Undefeated editor-at-large and former New York Times award-winning columnist William C. Rhoden. The fellowship – established as part of The Undefeated’s mission to develop new voices and serve as an incubator for future multicultural journalists – is open to outstanding undergraduate students at HBCUs. Eryn Mathewson manages the editorial and administrative processes within the program. She edits print stories, produces the HBCU 468 podcast and oversees scheduling and compliance.

Through the lens of sports, the fellows produce stories about race, class and culture and serve as campus correspondents for The Undefeated. There are six students in the inaugural class: Miniya Shabazz, Grambling State University; Kyla Wright, Hampton University; Paul Holston, Howard University; C. Isaiah Smalls, Morehouse College; Simone Benson, Morgan State University; Donovan Dooley, North Carolina A&T.