“The Game” Pays for College
A Bennett Belle uses “The Game” to attain a free education. Senior Briana Barner, Journalism and Media Studies and Africana Women’s Studies major, traveled to Duke University in Durham, North Carolina on November 11 to present research that she is conducting on how the media controls the image of black women.
Barner’s 50-page research paper is not titled yet, but it uses the Black Entertainment Television (BET) network show “The Game” to highlight ways black women are portrayed on television.
“I wanted to focus on controlled images of black women in media because it is a touchy subject that students aren’t discussing often,” she explains. “’The Game’ is the perfect example of that.”
“The Game” is a popular sitcom with a predominantly African American cast. It focuses on the relationship of two characters, Derwin and Melanie, as she finishes medical school and he begins his career in professional football. The show is in its’ fifth season on BET.
Barner is conducting this research because she is a United Negro College Fund Mellon-Mays Fellow.
Barner always looks for more funding options
This unique program pairs students with mentors to focus on a research topic that is relevant to them. The program also serves a dual purpose. It prepares fellows for graduate school and covers the cost of their undergraduate and doctoral studies. All students must agree to pursue a Ph.D. to participate in the program.
“The Mellon-Mays Fellowship is beneficial to students because it eases some of the burden of covering expenses,” Barner says.
Yvonne Welbon, Ph.D., the Journalism and Media Studies Department Chair serves as Barner’s Mellon-Mays mentor. She thinks the program is beneficial for all students interested in pursuing a Ph.D.
“All students should apply for Mellon-Mays,” she says. “I have done research on black women in media so I had experience in this. I was a great match for Briana. Students have to find a mentor who they will be compatible with and meet the deadlines for the program.”
The Mellon-Mays Fellowship is open to sophomores majoring in specific programs. The program has put more than 50 students through Ph.D. programs, but it is still relatively unknown. This hasn’t kept some Bennett students from expressing interest in applying.
Sophomore Ife Madzimoyo, Interdisciplinary Studies major, attended Barner’s research presentation at Duke. She is applying to the Mellon-Mays program this year.
“I am really excited to apply for Mellon-Mays,” she says. “I haven’t figured out what my research project will focus on, but seeing Briana’s success in the program has encouraged me to apply.”
The UNCF Mellon-Mays Fellowship deadline is in late January. For more information, contact Fodina Henderson, the Office of Financial Aid scholarship coordinator at fhenderson@bennett.edu or (336) 370-8625.
By: Evette Brown
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