By: Natasha Winston Clarke
Brooklyn, New York, May 11, 2020
Quarantining at home was the last place college students expected to be in the year of 2020. COVID-19 caused universities from across the nation to send students home and swiftly make accommodations so students could still learn remotely.
For college students, COVID-19 put a halt on many opportunities they were looking forward to: graduation and potential internships/jobs.
Although the pandemic changed life as we know it, many organizations such as the Hustlers Guild found new ways to adapt and create programs to help college students during these times.
“I loved everything from the entertaining intro, the dance breaks, and the valuable information provided by ALL guests. Thank you Yasmin and Hustlers Guild Team for making this happen for youth/young adults around the world.”
The Hustlers Guild (HG) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2017 by Yasmin Salina (Alumna of Alabama State University). HG is based in Washington, D.C. and was established to prepare both high school and college students for 1. College and career readiness, 2. Certifications, and 3. Entrepreneurship. Each area is executed through three of its programs provided: Art of Hustle, Hustlers’ Ambition, and the Hustlers’ Drive.
The Hustlers Guild is also dedicated to providing opportunities for students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in various industries they are interested in. HG is an extremely valuable resource for college students because it focuses on diversifying Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) careers by “increasing the number of black and brown people entering STEAM careers.” (PROGRAMS, Hustlers Guild).
Connect with the Hustlers Guild below!
“We are looking to Gen Z to create, and lead. Students are not alone in this process and these uncertain times. There are organizations like The Hustlers Guild that's here to fully support you.”
Yasmin Salina is an alumna of the Department of Communications at Alabama State University where she majored in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations. She is currently the Co-founder Executive Director of the Hustlers’ Guild, and works alongside other HBCU alumni (Stacey Filé, Tuskegee University) to develop these programs for college students.
The Hustlers Guild created a five-week virtual college program called the Hustlers’ Hangout. According to Yasmin Salina, it took “one hour of brainstorming, 5 days total to brand, construct a team, and start booking talent” to fire off this successful program!
The college sessions were designed to “ease social distancing restrictions” by virtually helping college students with resume building tips, internship/job opportunities, interviewing skills, and application support by providing direct access to entertainment and/or government officials.
“Love the interaction and atmosphere of successful people of color as references for the professional industry!”
Each week, students from D.C., Maryland, Virginia (DMV), New York City (NYC), Atlanta, Alabama, Texas, California, and more tuned into the zoom college sessions to catch “all the gems being dropped” by different artists about how to navigate these corporate industries.
Many students walked away with positive reactions from the sessions because they were able to apply all of these skills learned to both their professional and personal lives.
“The discussion about passion-something you're willing to do for free; the importance of transition skill sets, tips for effective resumes, the expert rule and manifestation, the skill of negotiating for salary, knowing your worth as a person of color!”
-Sharon Sparks.
“I really enjoyed the Sony music U event where we talked about social media branding. The speaker was transparent and dropped so many gems. She helped me look at my account in a different manner which made me realize I need to develop my own brand.”
-Daquan Taylor.
“I’m glad we talked about how to build professional relationships. We are always told to network, and talk to people with the sole purpose of getting our names out there, but that shouldn’t be our main goals. we should work on establishing genuine friendships and connections.”
-Shateva Long.
Behind the scenes of the Hustlers’ Hangout, Yasmin Salina and Stacey Filé also hired student interns from Alabama State University (ASU), Howard University, and Morehouse College to be a part of the creative programming team.
Each intern had the ability to gain experience as co-hosts to the guest speakers, create social media content (Insta-stories, recap clips, captions), edit videos, and work the in-house production for the zoom calls—all while having the creative freedom to attract their peers to join the sessions.
The interns even walked away from the Hustlers’ Hangout learning about themselves and what it takes to be in the entertainment industry:
Kristiano Bush: “As a person actively working in the music industry —this experience to team up with HG and bring the HH to life—showed why I love this fast paced and forever evolving industry. I learned that I work under pressure extremely well—in terms of organisational work.”
Kayla Parker: “It was hard work but 100% rewarding and I learned that I am a great leader! I also learned that I’m a lot more organized that I thought myself to be.”
CamRon Torain: “The industry is very fast-paced and requires detail. The littlest things can make a huge impact and responding 20 mins late is considered late in the industry. Also, relationships and experiences are key in order to be successful. I learned that being out of school sort of made me lazy. This experience woke me up . Also, it showed how much potential I have and how blessed I am to have this experience. I wouldn’t have gotten this opportunity if it wasn't for my relationships.”
Destinee Whittington: “A few of the most memorable lessons I’ve learned are to do your research on people or places before you get there, send thank you letters to those that have helped you, and to be prepared. The Hustlers Hangout program is vital to me as a recent HBCU graduate because I was really looking for guidance and advice after college. I strongly believe the sessions have given me insight into my future career. I feel like the college sessions in particular have provided me with a lot of useful advice that I can apply professionally as well as personally.”
Natasha Winston Clarke: “I learned that the entertainment industry is very demanding and that you have to really manage your schedule to a T. Working in the entertainment field is an around the clock career. You eat, sleep, breathe entertainment, but working under pressure and on a deadline helped me to better my time management skills.”
When asked about the behind the scenes experience working with undergrads from her alma mater, Salina had this to say:
“I know what it’s like firsthand being a college student in Montgomery, Ala. I also have experience working with notable entertainers, elected officials, and globally recognized brands. I’m able to marry the knowledge of both and prep to the best of my ability what the real-world experience is going to be for them. I didn’t want this experience to be easy, but it’s rewarding in every sense. I want the students we recruit from ASU to feel connected just as much as the Howard and Spelman students.”
The work Salina has been doing these past few weeks for students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)—especially ASU students—has been astounding. It’s greatly appreciated when fellow alumni are able to give back to their HBCUs not only in financial aspects, but career building aspects as well.
As the Hustlers’ Hangouts ended, Salina even dropped some encouraging words for all the HBCU students / recent graduates during COVID-19:
“Times are uncertain for sure. The greatest ideas come from moments of darkness. We are looking to Gen Z to create, and lead. Students are not alone in this process and these uncertain times. There are organizations like The Hustlers Guild that's here to fully support you. Take this time to invest in yourself whether it’s mentally, cultivating skills, or educationally. What you put in any situation will determine the outcome.”
Overall, the Hustlers’ Hangout had a fantastic turnout for the college sessions. The next steps for the HG team will be trying its best to “pivot and readjust” to this post-pandemic life. In times such as these, that’s all college students and the Hustlers Guild can do. It’s essential for HBCU students to know that they have resources, such as the Hustlers Guild, that are ready and willing to help them develop their professional skills to work in their dream careers.
A little bit about the writer, Natasha Winston Clarke.
Hello! If you've watched the video above, then some of this you've already heard. If not, I'm Natasha Winston Clarke! I'm from Brooklyn, NY and I'm an exchange student here at Alabama State University. I'm a Public Relations major minoring in Web Design and Programming. Some of interests including dancing, skydiving, and laughing/having fun.