Students from Southern University and Alabama A&M University have received Emmy nominations for films highlighting HBCU culture.
Southern’s team — Verbon Muhammad Jr., Ashley Lovelace, Sydney Cuillier, Loren Sullivan, and Eric White — was nominated for The Hidden Sport, a documentary about the Human Jukebox Band. The film focuses on the discipline and effort behind the band’s performances.
“We wanted to shed light on the time, the effort, the dedication these musicians invest,” Cuillier said. “They practice just like athletes — that’s where the name ‘The Hidden Sport’ was born.”
The documentary was supported by the Coca-Cola HBCU Grant, a $40,000 award for students in sports media. It was announced in April and is set for release in Summer 2025. The film honors band member Caleb Wilson and Coach Sean Wallace. If they win, the team plans to start a scholarship for band members.
Alabama A&M was nominated for A Bulldog Family, a short-form scripted series about the Magic City Classic football rivalry. The series features five student actors and reached over 1 million views.
“This was about sharing our story and putting a spotlight on a tradition that defines our university,” said Aaron Thompson, Assistant VP of Marketing.
