-HBCU Students Experienced Coca-Cola Training Intensive

Students received a $1,000 school stipend-

Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED held its 2020 edition of the company wide "Pay It Forward" program this week, which aims to provide African-American youth with opportunities to celebrate students' achievements and further their success. Normally, this program is a week-long, in person experience; however, this year due to COVID 19, students participated virtually. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) students from 16 schools throughout Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED’s six state footprint submitted applications February 1 - May 15, 2020. The program now in its fifth year, was promoted actively across participating HBCU campuses and in area Wal-Mart locations. Coca-Cola reviewed the applications for the program, selecting 25 students total based on their standout applications. A $1,000 stipend will be given to each of the HBCU students at the end of the program and a lifetime of Coca-Cola Brand Ambassadorship. From the West Region, the following HBCU students were chosen to participate in the "Pay it Forward" internship program: Jasmine Franklin and Lindsey Johnson, Grambling State University; Ashalyn Washington and Tiana Thomas, Southern University; Adeboye Aladekoba and Kaziah Robinson, Alcorn State University & Justin Baker and Paulina Webber, Dillard University. These selected students engaged with Coca-Cola Company teams to learn more about the organization and how to conduct business most effectively during a two-day fun and informative development session was held August 4-5, 2020. During this internship, students gain experience in a wide range of roles at Coca-Cola including sales, production, marketing, pricing, event planning, packaging, philanthropy, and community relations. One of the main goals of the program is to teach the interns, to put it simply, how to go to work. It exposes them to real-world work situations, including business practices and protocols, how to network, and other important skills that will prepare them for the job market. Over 100 students from Coca-Cola’s partner HBCU Colleges and Universities have participated in the Pay it Forward internship to date. “Although we will not be able to meet these students in person this year, we are excited to get to know this remarkable group of ‘Pay It Forward’ interns,” John Sherman, President and CEO Coca-Cola Bottling Co. UNITED. “Our intent through the two-day program is to encourage these young adults and help enable them to further develop career goals as they plan for the next phase in life.