Spotify NextGen Spelman College Partnership With Podcast Studio Opening

In 2022, Spotify’s partnership with Spelman College took flight as part of our NextGen audio program that aims to infuse, activate, and grow podcast culture around historically black colleges and universities. Part of our larger Creator Equity Fund program, NextGen has helped develop curricula, awarded scholarships to promising Spelman undergraduates, supported the development and production of student podcasts, and hosted a creator day on campus. 

This successful partnership recently concluded with the official opening of Spelman’s on-campus podcast studio, which was fully refurbished by the Spotify Creator Equity Fund. To celebrate, we hosted a special event that brought aspiring student podcasters and industry pros together for an evening of networking and discussion. 

In the highlight of the evening, we hosted a dynamic panel conversation titled, “Spotify NextGen: Pass the Mic,” hosted by Therapy for Black Girls founder and popular podcaster, Dr. Joy Harden Bradford. The conversation brought together two Spelman alums—Lynae Vanee (C’2016) and Jaz Turner (C’2019)—as well as Clarke Peoples to discuss their experiences as creators and the impact of using their voices in the audio media industry.

“We are thrilled to open this studio so Spelman students have the resources and space to explore their creativity, share their stories, and grow as creators,” said Kristin Jarrett, Lead, Equity, Diversity & Impact at Spotify. 

Going forward, Spotify remains committed to empowering and amplifying the voices of underrepresented creators through Spotify NextGen. That includes working with HBCUs like Howard University, North Carolina A&T University, and Hampton University, as well as USC’s Annenberg Center to foster spaces and provide resources that help students develop skills and pursue their dreams. 

Discover the next generation of Spelman’s talented voices at work through the podcast Emmett Till: The Cultural Afterlife of an American Boy.