Underrated Talent, Underfunded Dreams
How HBCU creatives are making space for themselves
The Atlanta University Center is known for producing dynamic talent in a vast number of areas. Whether it is business, STEM, theology, sociology, psychology or education, students who attend Spelman, Clark Atlanta or Morehouse College are expected to achieve great things… and they do just that.
What has always seemed to lack (at-least for Spelman and Morehouse) is the acceptance of creativity by administration. Clark Atlanta University is the only one of the three schools who has a sole dedication to mass media arts and a commitment to ensuring their students are game changers in the entertainment industry.
Despite lack of support, this has not stopped Spelhouse students from embarking on journeys toward their creative outlets, many have banned together to not only produce stage plays, pageants, and other mass productions, but also establish organizations such as the Morehouse Film Society.
This creative culture, is one that has been overshadowed for years, especially within the Morehouse community. Creatives have aways attended the institution, yet many have never had an adequate outlet to be their truest selves. Spike Lee is the greatest example of this, being that he had to take the bulk of his classes at Clark Atlanta University, despite being a Morehouse student.
This issue can be attributed to the constructed ideal of the “Morehouse Man” which looks like a suit-wearing, clean cut, freshly shaven, respectable gentleman, whose main mission is life is to secure a six-figure job.
In recent years, Morehouse creatives have dedicated their time to making space for themselves and pushing the college to follow suit (see: Morehouse CTEMS).
This past Wednesday, the Morehouse Film Society hosted their very first AUC Film festival. This festival included six submissions from a variety of AUC talent and opened a new lane for creatives to identify themselves.
Director of featured short titled Eye Candy Joshua Collins described the event as “nerve racking, but worth it.”
“Any film is nerve racking because of everything that goes into it and wanting things to go smoothly, even though they wont,” Collins said more about the process.
The very essence of most college experiences is having the opportunity to grow and find what you are most passionate about.
As institutions that are focused on creating world-changers, it is important to have spaces that support every kind of student, but that is why students creating space for themselves is even more important (and impactful).
“Just create. Don’t talk about it, be about it, be persistent, and make sure you are surrounded by like minded people,” Collins offered as advice for anyone looking to produce creative content.
The tide is changing within these historic spaces. Students have never been known to sit by and allow the status quo to be unchallenged, that alone speaks directly to the mission of each institution:
“It’s my choice and I choose to change the world” — Spelman College
“I’ll find a way or make one” — Clark Atlanta University
“Developing men with disciplined minds, who will lead lives of leadership and service” — Morehouse College
It is time that the institutions themselves (namely Morehouse and Spelman) get with the changing tide…slowly, but surely.
Believe me when I say, it will be the creatives that save the world.
(side note: Be sure to check out EYE CANDY by Joshua Collins, it won 1st place in the film festival!)
Corey D. Smith is a senior, sociology major, attending Morehouse College. Offering critique, inciting conversation and shaking the proverbial table.
