Motown Records Launches New Legends Internship to Cultivate the Next Generation of Black Music Leaders

Motown Records is honoring its legacy of discovering groundbreaking talent by investing in the next generation of music industry leaders through its newly launched New Legends Internship Program, a paid initiative designed specifically for students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Announced during Black Music Month, the 10-week summer program gives students an opportunity to gain firsthand experience inside one of the most influential record labels in American music history. Rather than focusing solely on artists, the internship exposes participants to the business side of the industry, including marketing, creative services, digital strategy, artist relations, and A&R.

The inaugural class includes students from Howard University, Morgan State University, North Carolina A&T State University, and Spelman College. Running from June 8 through August 14, the paid internship pairs students with Motown executives who provide mentorship, professional development, networking opportunities, and hands-on experience working on active label projects.

According to Motown Records, the program was created to help cultivate future leaders across every facet of the music business while strengthening the pipeline between HBCUs and the entertainment industry.

“Our legacy has always been about discovering and developing extraordinary talent,” said Dante Smith, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Head of Motown Digital. “The New Legends Internship Program extends that mission beyond artists to the executives, creatives, and innovators who will shape the future of music.”

The initiative reflects a broader effort across the entertainment industry to create more equitable access to careers behind the scenes. While performers often receive the spotlight, record labels rely on professionals working in marketing, branding, digital media, finance, legal affairs, publicity, operations, and artist development to bring music to audiences around the world.

Founded in Detroit by Berry Gordy in 1959, Motown became one of the most influential labels in music history, launching the careers of legendary artists including Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, The Jackson 5, and countless others. Today, the label continues to evolve while maintaining its commitment to developing Black talent across the entertainment landscape.

The internship also underscores the growing importance of HBCUs as pipelines for leadership across media, technology, business, and the creative industries. By partnering directly with four historically Black institutions, Motown is providing students with meaningful access to professional networks, executive mentorship, and practical experience that can be difficult to obtain through traditional hiring channels.

Beyond day-to-day responsibilities, interns will participate in career development programming designed to help them better understand the evolving music business and prepare for long-term careers after graduation.

As the music industry continues to transform through streaming, digital media, and emerging technologies, programs like New Legends are helping ensure that the next generation of decision-makers reflects the diversity and creativity that have long defined Black music.

Nearly seven decades after Motown forever changed American culture, the label is once again investing in new voices—this time by developing the executives, marketers, strategists, and innovators who will help shape the future of the business.

Source Credit

This article is syndicated from reporting originally published by Black Enterprise, with additional reporting from Yahoo Entertainment and Ratings Game Music based on Motown Records’ announcement.