Hear from the S4 Fellows on Why You Should Apply

Hailing from the Atlanta University Center’s Morehouse and Spelman College, we are excited to extend the program's reach to HBCU graduates nationwide.

We went into this experience cold—inspired by a desire to learn and driven by an opportunity to pioneer, all while embracing the discomfort of growth. Now, as we celebrate our one-year anniversary in the fellowship, we’re delighted to share the experiences we’ve had alongside the nitty-gritty details of this incredible program to inspire and encourage recent graduates to apply.

The application process will prove to be an introspective experience—heightened by discussions with stakeholders all across the globe—that will equip applicants with a rich toolset they can carry well into their futures. 

If you haven’t already, take a look at our video above, directed and produced by our own Arion Kidd-Weeks, for some of our candid thoughts about the fellowship and tips on how to apply. 

• Erena Reese - Spelman College ‘20, Atlanta, GA
• Alfred Mohammed - Morehouse College ‘20, New York, NY
• Arion Kidd-Weeks - Morehouse College ‘20, Los Angeles, CA

S4 Fellowship program details

The S4 Fellowship was conceived to give college graduates embarking in their careers a strong start in and an enthusiasm for the advertising and digital marketing industry. As we were preparing to launch the application process for the inaugural class of fellows, the tragic events of June 2020 pointed a spotlight on racial injustices and the need for action. So we pivoted our approach to take steps in addressing the imbalance in employment and future opportunities for underrepresented groups. Our focus on inviting graduates from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to apply for the fellowship was a first, small step. Our hope is that the S4 fellows will serve as role models for young people in the field, and inspire the next generation of talent. 

The S4 Fellowship is a paid, two-year immersive accelerator program. Fellows work on the essential practicalities of digital advertising and marketing and learn in-depth how the industry and brands are adapting to the continually changing digital landscape, gaining a fundamental understanding of everything we do—firsthand. This includes how data and analytics inform better content, how we use programmatic to plan and buy advertising for our clients and how technology is applied to the outcome. All for clients in technology, FMCG, pharmaceutical, financial services, manufacturing and many more areas as part of a planned curriculum for the fellows’ career development.

Our company is evolving fast, and we expect our fellows to do the same. The S4 Fellowship provides a secure platform and scope to grow. Each role and responsibility is designed so fellows can contribute directly to the company’s success, which is contingent on all of our individual successes. We’re in this together and will learn from each other.