Amazon MGM Studios Teams Up with EICOP to Boost Diversity in Entertainment

If you could walk onto a real-life movie set, meet top industry leaders, and gain hands-on experience in the entertainment business. That's exactly what the Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program (EICOP) is making possible. This summer, EICOP is partnering with Amazon MGM Studios to create paid internships for students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other underrepresented groups. The plan is simple but impactful: these students will spend their summer in cities like Los Angeles, New York, or Atlanta. They'll get to visit studios, attend events, and even go behind the scenes of major entertainment organizations. The goal? To help these young talents break into the industry and bring their unique perspectives to the table.Amanda Baker-Lane, the global head of DEIA at Amazon MGM Studios and Prime Video, is thrilled about this partnership. She believes it will nurture creativity and innovation both on and off screen. Stacy Milner, the president and CEO of EICOP, echoes this sentiment. She hopes this initiative will open doors for HBCU scholars and other underrepresented talents, giving them the chance to shine in the global creative industry. EICOP has been working hard to eliminate systemic barriers. By providing housing and paid internships, they ensure participants can focus on gaining valuable industry experience. This summer, over 400 scholars have already been vetted for the program. With Amazon MGM Studios now on board, alongside other giants like Disney and NBCUniversal, the opportunities for these students are vast and exciting. Think about it: diversity makes stories richer and more authentic. By bringing in new voices, the entertainment industry can tell stories that resonate with everyone. This partnership is a step in the right direction, paving the way for a more inclusive future in entertainment.