Cxmmunity Media, a Black-owned media technology company committed to advancing minority representation and equity in the gaming industry, has revealed the launch of the fourth season of its annual HBCU Esports League on Sunday, September 17th. Chad "OchoCinco" Johnson, a football legend, will join this season as the league's ambassador, and there will be surprise guest appearances by prominent figures in gaming culture throughout the season. Verizon, Discover, MTN Dew, and Hot Pockets are returning as brand partners to support Cxmmunity Media's mission of promoting diversity in gaming.

Chad "OchoCinco" Johnson expressed his excitement, saying, "I'm excited to be working with the HBCU Esports League and help them grow to new heights in their fourth season. Gaming has always been a passion of mine, and I wanted to support Cxmmunity Media's mission to diversify the gaming industry."

The HBCU Esports League, known as the #1 culture & lifestyle gaming and entertainment show on Twitch, will bring together talented student gamers from 15 Historically Black Colleges and Universities to compete in a series of tournaments for a chance to win a share of $170,000 in prize pools allocated toward scholarships.

Participating schools in this season include Howard University, North Carolina A&T, Wilberforce University, Morehouse College, Florida Memorial University, Alabama A&M, Benedict College, Claflin University, Delaware State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Southern University, and Texas Southern University.

Ryan Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Cxmmunity Media, expressed his enthusiasm for the league's growth, saying, "We are excited to see the continuous growth and reach of the HBCU Esports league as we work towards driving inclusion forward in esports, while providing an entertaining experience for all to enjoy. Each new season is a constant reminder of the importance of fueling Black communities of gaming hopefuls with the resources and opportunities to chart a path towards professional advancement in the industry."

Despite the fact that 83% of Black teens identify as gamers, Black professionals remain significantly underrepresented in the gaming industry, making up only 4% of the workforce. Since its launch in 2021, Cxmmunity Media has been actively working to change this by bringing together brands and the gaming industry to provide Black gamers with exposure, resources, and opportunities to thrive in gaming. To date, Cxmmunity Media has donated $1.3 million in scholarships for HBCU students through tournament prize pools, engaged over 600 Black gamers and 40 HBCUs, and provided internships in the gaming industry to more than 20 HBCU students.

Chris Peay, Chief Marketing Officer for Cxmmunity Media, highlighted the role of culture in the future of gaming, saying, "For the past three seasons, we've been able to illustrate how culture plays a vital role in the future and longevity of gaming. We're thrilled to continue to be a conduit for brands and people of influence to join in our mission to future-proof diversity in the industry."

 

Source: prnewswire.com

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