Why We’re Spotlighting HBCU Creators
- Feb 26
- 2 min read
We spend a lot of time on HBCU campuses. It’s part of what we do, and it’s truly one of our favorite parts of the job. Because every time we’re there, we notice the same thing, amazing creative talent.
And we’re not talking about “emerging” talent. These are people who are already building, already making interesting and arresting work. The industry just hasn’t caught on.
So we started the Super Genius Creator Class, a quick series where we feature and shout out comeHBCU creators and let them tell their stories. Who they are, what they’re making, and what their campus taught them about creativity.
Here’s who we’re kicking it off with:
Baiyinah Ings — Hampton University, Marketing, ’23
Baiyinah got her first industry internship by asking for it at a company with no postings. “You have to be audacious,” she says, “and life will eventually meet you at your audacity.” She’s been building ever since — designing, creating content, and proving that the path doesn’t have to be traditional to be legitimate.
Lauren Cyrus — Hampton University, Marketing, ’23
Lauren’s career was built on HBCU community. “That position came from Hamptonians calling me, advocating for me, and making sure I was paid.” She’s a brand strategist, a speaker, and someone who gets that creativity isn’t just what you make — it’s how you think, lead, and show up.
Calandrea Carter — Alabama State University, Communications, ’26
Calandrea calls herself a storyteller at the intersection of sports, culture, and community. She’s covered the NBA Draft, spoken on panels, and her thing is taking overlooked local moments and turning them into stories with reach. She’s a junior. Let that sink in.
Shaun Bennett — Hampton University, Strategic Communications, ’26
Shaun’s creative confidence was built directing Hampton’s homecoming fashion show. His visual series “Ghetto Until Proven Fashionable” challenges how the industry thinks about HBCU creatives. As he puts it: “What we lack in resources, we have a surplus of culture and ability.”
We’ll be sharing each creator’s full story over the coming weeks. Follow along.
