Esports

Twitch and Cxmmunity to Promote Esports in HBCUs

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 08/26/20

Game streamer Twitch is teaming up with a nonprofit focused on increasing participation in the esports and video game industry among minorities. Cxmmunity and Twitch will develop an esports league specifically for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The larger goal: to help students gain access to educational and scholarship support offered through the Twitch Student Program.

Besides introducing students to potential careers in gaming and esports, the partnership also promises to connect HBCUs to video game publishers, industry leaders, professional athletes, international recording artists and entertainers.

"Growing up we're often taught you get good grades so that you can get into a good college, graduate from that college and find a good job. Very seldom do we talk about entrepreneurship, let alone entrepreneurship within the esports and video game industry. It's actually frowned upon in some fashion," said Chris Peay, co-founder of Cxmmunity, in a press release. "As a graduate of an HBCU and knowing firsthand how we're underrepresented and just lack the access to get into gaming, I'm excited to be working with Twitch to fulfill our mission in increasing the participation of minorities within these industries and close the digital divide."

Some programs have already run through a Cxmmunity channel on Twitch.