Media Release

TBS Awards $25,000 to Four Grand Prize Winners of TBS HBCU Cash Out™

A Total of $100,000 Was Bestowed to Recent Graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities for TBS’ First-Ever Interactive Social Media Contest

LOS ANGELES – April 6, 2021 – Following Lance Gross and Keshia Knight Pulliam’sexclusive reveal on “GMA 3: What You Need to Know today, TBS is thrilled to announce the winners of four $25,000 grand prizes. Impressed by the numerous innovative and thoughtful entries, as well as the essential need to help Black Americans alleviate student loans, TBS increased the number of recipients from three $25,000 grand prizes to four - giving a total of $100,000.

Throughout Black History Month, TBS and ambassadors Gross (“Star”, “MacGyver”) and Knight Pulliam (“The Cosby Show”, “House of Payne”)set out to financially empower recent graduates of historically black colleges and universities with its first-ever interactive TBS HBCU Cash Out™ social media contest. From February 8 – March 8, entrants creatively shared a 60-second video via Instagram, Twitter or YouTube on how attending a HBCU is helping them achieve their goals.

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans, “Black college graduates have nearly $25,000 more student loan debt: an average of $52,726 in student debt, compared to $28,006 for the typical White bachelor’s graduate.”

This year’s first-ever TBS HBCU Cash Out™ winners are:

  • Anastacia C.C. Davis: A self-proclaimed “multi-hyphenate creative” and filmmaker from East Chicago, Indiana, and 2017 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in theatre arts from Alabama State University.
  • Emani Nichols: An Atlanta-based video director and multimedia journalist at a historically Black newspaper and 2020 Morehouse College graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Africana Studies.
  • Kevin Perry: A consultant for a global accounting firm based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and a graduate from Delaware State University holding a bachelor’s degree in accounting (2018) and an MBA in data analytics (2019).
  • Kalen Robinson: An aspiring Broadway star and a 2020 graduate from Howard University’s BFA in musical theatre currently residing in Hyattsville, Maryland.

 
“I’ve been moved, I’ve laughed and I’ve been inspired by the depth of these entries,” said Gross (Howard University).  “These HBCU Alumni have gone above and beyond. I am so proud of them all!”
 
“I am so glad to have partnered with TBS for such an amazing opportunity, where we can continue to give back and make a difference in the lives of others,” said Knight Pulliam (Spelman College).  “As an HBCU grad, I understand the importance of education, along with the importance of financial freedom and the TBS HBCU Cash Out contest was an opportunity to ensure both for those who will carry on the torch and lead our future. Congratulations to all of the winners.”
 
To view the TBS HBCU Cash Out™ winner reveal featuring Gross and Pulliam, please visit HERE.  To view all the winning entries please visit the TBS HBCU Cash Out™ Zoom Reveal playlist. 


About TBS
TBS, a WarnerMedia brand, is a top-rated destination for television among young adults and known for escapist, lean-back entertainment, featuring smart, imaginative stories with heart and comedic edge. From scripted comedy series to late-night shows, game shows, and animated programming, TBS’ Originals slate is comprised of some of the most popular shows on cable — “Miracle Workers,” “CONAN,” “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee,” “The Last O.G.” and “American Dad!,” as well as the upcoming comedy “Chad.” The network’s slate of premium unscripted series includes the popular game show “The Misery Index,” upcoming reality-competition series “Go-Big Show” and “The Cube” and the revival of fan-favorite “Wipeout.” TBS’ lineup also includes comedy hits like “Family Guy” and “The Big Bang Theory,” classic sitcom favorites “Friends” and “Seinfeld,” blockbuster movies, and live event coverage of Major League Baseball, the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship and “ELEAGUE,” WarnerMedia's eSports gaming competition. Viewers can watch shows on the TBS app, available for iOS, Android, Xbox One and other platforms and devices. Website: www.tbs.com 
 
About WarnerMedia
WarnerMedia is a leading media and entertainment company that creates and distributes premium and popular content from a diverse array of talented storytellers and journalists to global audiences through its consumer brands including: HBO, HBO Max, Warner Bros., TNT, TBS, truTV, CNN, DC Entertainment, New Line, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies and others. The organization also includes Xandr’s suite of advanced advertising solutions designed to help to improve advertising for brands, publishers, and consumers. WarnerMedia is part of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T).


POP’N CREATIVE CONTACTS:
Brandii M. Toby-Leon
865-963-2418
brandii.toby-leon@popncreative.com
 
Alison Threadgill
202-905-9188 
press@popncreative.com

TBS PUBLICITY CONTACTS
Marina Beck
marina.beck@warnermedia.com

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