Cxmmunity Partners with UNCF to Establish the HBCU eSports and Gaming League through Grants and Scholarships

Cxmmunity Gaming Co., an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization committed to increasing participation in minority eSports and gaming, is partnering with UNCF (United Negro College Fund), the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization, to increase student participation and build capacity for eSports and gaming across historically Black college and university (HBCU) campuses. The partnership will foster collaboration and support for eSports and gaming clubs across HBCU campuses, and foster the development of an HBCU-wide eSports and gaming league.

UNCF’s partnership with Cxmmunity will facilitate the distribution of equipment grants, and scholarship awards to the first 40 HBCUs who sign up during the registration period for the established HBCU eSports League. Cxmmunity will work with UNCF on the selection of students who are eligible for scholarships and manage funds to purchase equipment in support of HBCU-based eSports programs.

“We are pleased to partner alongside UNCF and PlayVS to create opportunities for HBCUs to be a part of the eSports and video game ecosystem,” said Cxmmunity founder Ryan Johnson. “We can positively influence the trajectories of their lives by introducing them to scholarships and internships that lead to career placement.”

“We are excited to work with Cxmmunity to provide unique opportunities for our students to participate and benefit from organized play. Partnering with a leading organization like Cxmmunity will allow UNCF to assist its member institutions and HBCUs more broadly in their efforts to enhance their value and competitiveness as higher ed institutions in a unique space such as eSports and gaming,” said Dr. Chad Womack, senior director for STEM programs and initiatives, UNCF.

Cxmmunity’s first contributing partner, PlayVS, the largest Black-founded eSports company, has committed to providing $50,000 in scholarship and equipment grant funding for the Fall of 2020. “PlayVS is honored to be partnering with Cxmmunity for UNCF,” said Delane Parnell, PlayVS CEO and Founder. “With the commitment of awarding $50,000 in scholarships and grants this fall through Cxmmunity’s partnership with UNCF, we’re leaning on one of our core principles and going all-in on cultivating the HBCU eSports ecosystem.” UNCF’s legacy has already been proven impactful with the members of Cxmmunity. “Our partnership with UNCF is truly a full circle moment for me,” explained co-founder, Chris Peay. “In 2014, I participated in UNCF’s Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition. So, to now partner with the organization that helped to foster where I am today is amazing.”

With the partnership of UNCF, Cxmmunity is on its way to achieving its ultimate goal of increasing minority participation and expanding opportunities for HBCU students to have access to jobs and careers in the eSports and video game industry. To register for the HBCU eSports and gaming league, please visit bit.ly/hbcugg.

About Cxmmunity

Our mission is to increase the participation of minorities within the eSports and video gaming industry so that there is an equal opportunity as new jobs and professions are being created. We do this by helping minority youth develop skills within business-management and STEAM by exposing them and providing access to video game publishers, film productions, sports and entertainment executives, professional athletes, and world-renowned artists. To learn more information about Cxmmunity and their partnership with the United Negro College Fund and upcoming events, visit https://www.cxmmunity.co/ and also on Instagram, @Cxmmunity.co. For more general information on the established UNCF organization, visituncf.org or follow on Instagram @uncf along with their Facebook page, @uncf.

About PlayVS

PlayVS is the leading amateur eSports platform in the United States. It is the single community where players come together to compete, fans gather to spectate and coaches manage their programs. PlayVS College offers both Conference and National League-based competition with titles such as Fortnite, Rocket League and League of Legends. Through strategic partnerships with the NFHS and state associations, the PlayVS High School product allows students to compete for a state championship. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the company has raised more than $96 million since its founding in January 2018. For more information about PlayVS & PlayVS College, visit www.playvs.com/college.