‘Ready Player One’: UNCF, Cxmmunity Media prep Washington, DC, Students for College

by Marlena Chertock |

Two people standing at a table

(Left to Right) William Brown – Community Engagement Manager, UNCF K-12 Advocacy Khary Armster – Relationship Manager, UNCF Outreach & Recruitment Scholarships & Programs

In September 2024, Cxmmunity Media, a media tech company that amplifies the global gaming ecosystem, brought The Kickback to Washington, DC, for the first time at the Entertainment & Sports Arena, offering youth educational resources and opportunities in the gaming industry.

The free event, sponsored by Xfinity, blended gaming, music and culture with professional development opportunities. The Kickback featured panels, workshops, a career fair, networking sessions, cash-prize gaming competitions and a concert by JID.

UNCF hosted a booth where UNCF representatives provided information on historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), personalized guidance on navigating college applications and how to secure scholarships. These vital resources help support students on their path to and through college.

UNCF and Cxmmunity Media have previously worked together. In 2020, Cxmmunity Media and UNCF established an HBCU eSports League and distributed equipment grants and scholarships to 40 HBCUs.

Cxmmunity Media’s founder, Ryan Johnson, is an alumnus of Oakwood University, a UNCF-member institution.

Additional The Kickback events are scheduled to take place in Atlanta, GA, and other locations.