D.C., Wash. - Sept. 5, 2019 - The annual HBCU Conference Week of Higher Education leaders will assimilate to listen to leading experts in the esports and gaming industry. Focused topics are esports academics, esports enrollment, and generational revenue streams in esports.
Tennessee State University President, Dr. Glenda Glover, Congresswoman, Texas 18thDistrict, Sheila Jackson Lee, esports executives Wim Stocks from WorldGaming Network, Chris Brennan NBA 2K League, Angela Roseboro of RIOT Games will be taking part at the event. Panel Moderator is Dr. Marc Williams Partner of WD | Esports + Entertainment.
Subject matter experts include, Lincoln University (PA), Athletic Director Harry Stinson III; WD | Esports + Entertainment Partner, Ashley DeWalt; Sports Law Professor, Attorney Ellen M. Zavian, Isiah Reese, CEO Aperion Global Institute, Esports Education, and Data Science Recruiter at Google, Thandi Young.
"The Collegiate Star League and World Gaming League are honored to partner with HBCU's about all the opportunities in esports for HBCU's said Wim Stocks. "All signs point to collegiate esports programs and leagues, given all of the great support pouring in from STEM curricula, athletic departments, business schools as one of the biggest and best channels for aspiring pro players to get 'discovered'. HBCU's are well positioned to reap the benefits for their students to develop the knowledge bases in order to pursue careers in the burgeoning business of esports."
In order to break the homogeneity cycle within the games industry, employers must be willing to openly talk at conferences such at this about the barriers that face both women and minorities in this industry. The games industry unfortunately represents an iniquitous enclosure of under-representation that is all so familiar transversely across the entire tech industry. However, there are a number of organizations and eSport educational institutes creating new career pathways certificates, said, Isiah Reese, CEO, of Aperion Global Institute, and BraveDog Games Board Member.
"WD | Esports + Entertainment is thrilled to be part of this collection of brilliant minds to discuss esports at HBCU's," said Ashley DeWalt. "There are more than 2.5 Billion video gamers in the world. The global gaming industry is forecasted to grow from $137 Billion to $300 Billion by 2025. Today, 150 Million Americans play video games and over 580 million are projected by 2025. This kind of growth creates demand for professionals with the right mix of education, experience, expertise and passion for the gaming industry. We feel HBCU's are uniquely positioned to be among the most competitive esports College academic programs in the world and their students can be among the most competitive for the high demanding jobs in the gaming industry."
