The esports industry is generating billions every year, and everyone seems interested in participating in it, higher education institutions included. However, it took almost 7 years for HBCUs to offer scholarships in competitive esports since Chicago’s Robert Morris offered a varsity-level scholarship for the first time in 2014.

Keshia Walker, a lifetime gamer, is President of Insight Marketing and the Founder and CEO of the Black Collegiate Gaming Association (BCGA), destined to connect young Black College students with internships and full-time career opportunities in the gaming and esports industry. 

In this episode, we discuss the importance of individuals who know about gaming and understand the Black culture in the esports industry, the exciting Black College Con event, and how hard it is for women, especially Black women, to establish in the industry. 

Connect with Keshia Walker:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keshiawalker/

Black Collegiate Gaming Association:

Website: https://bcgausa.org/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bcgausa

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcgausa/

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/bcgausa

Insight Marketing:

Website: https://insights-mpc.com/

To connect with Dr. Marc, visit:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/docspitsfire06

Or

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/docspitsfire06/

Dr. Marc’s Masterclass is part of the Esports Futuri Podcast Network. To see all of our shows, visit: https://EsportsFPN.com

Full Episode Breakdown:

4:27 – Introducing today’s special guest, Keshia Walker.

6:47 – BCGA, the first organization focused on connecting Black students and Black colleges with esports.

10:06 – A visit to an 11 years old boy. A starting point for BCGA.

13:32 – Dr. Marc explains the process gaming companies must go through to get into HBCUs.

16:20 – Keshia describes the fantastic group of people working behind the scenes at BCGA.

19:21 – Keshia talks about Corey Rosman, the Jay-Z of the esports gaming industry.

23:51 – Keshia shares the story of how she ended up at FAMU, the Harvard of Business Schools.

28:22 – Keshia talks about people telling her she wouldn’t survive in the gaming industry.

33:08 – Duplication is the highest flattery. Is it?

37:21 – Keshia talks about the success of the Women Got Game event.

42:19 – Keshia talks a bit about her work on producing events with purpose and giving back to the New Orleans community.