Platform to recognize Black female movers and shakers at HBCUs and support the next generation with PepsiCo Beverages North America and ESSENCE Internship Program Multi-campus tour to honor homecoming traditions at four of the nation's top HBCUs, with appearances from Saweetie, Gia Peppers, Rotimi, Doug E. Fresh and more

(Black PR Wire) PURCHASE, N.Y., -- PepsiCo Beverages North America, in partnership with ESSENCE, introduced today "She Got Now" – a multi-tiered platform that celebrates, supports and honors young Black women aspiring to and attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the country. The platform launch will commence with a multi-campus tour honoring the homecoming traditions unique to four major HBCUs, culminating with the inaugural Allen McKellar Jr. Internship Program, named in honor of one of the first Black professionals to enter the corporate workforce, through a job at PepsiCo.

"We are honored to partner with ESSENCE to launch 'She Got Now,' a platform that celebrates the innate entrepreneurial spirit of young Black women and shines the spotlight on the fantastic culture of our nation's top HBCUs," said Hampton University graduate, Derek Lewis, President, South Division, PepsiCo Beverages North America. "To be able to honor PepsiCo's very own Allen McKellar Jr., a remarkable individual in Black history, who reflects the values and ideals PepsiCo still holds today, and simultaneously honor these young women is incredibly special."

"For generations, HBCUs have served Black students – particularly Black women – having graduated trailblazing women from Oprah Winfrey to Alice Walker. As today's student body builds upon this legacy, we are excited to continue to empower the next group of emerging leaders," noted Michelle Ebanks, Chief Executive Officer, ESSENCE Communications. "'She Got Now' will serve as an extension of ESSENCE's nearly 50-year mission to celebrate and support Black women; and together, with PepsiCo, we will continue to deepen this commitment."

The "She Got Now" platform comes to life with a multi-campus tour starting this Saturday with a kickoff at Florida A&M University, followed by stops at Howard University on October 12, Hampton University on October 26 and the last stop at Norfolk State University on November 2. The tour will feature top DJs, and battle of the band competitions between opposing marching bands where fans can vote on who wins. Each stop will be hosted by Doug E. Fresh and feature a bevy of today's stars across music and entertainment, including Saweetie, Gia Peppers, Rotimi, Terence J, Scottie Beam and DJ Envy.

Starting mid-November, the "She Got Now" Allen McKellar Jr. Internship Program will be open to all young Black women aspiring to or attending one of the participating HBCUs. Applicants should follow Pepsi's and ESSENCE's Twitter pages for more information and updates on "She Got Now" platform.

About PepsiCo:

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $64 billion in net revenue in 2018, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Convenient Foods and Beverages by Winning with Purpose. "Winning with Purpose" reflects our ambition to win sustainably in the marketplace and embed purpose into all aspects of the business. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.

About Essence Communications Inc.

Essence Communications is the number one media, technology and Commerce Company dedicated to Black women and inspires a global audience of more than 20.2 million through diverse storytelling and immersive original content. With a multi-platform presence in publishing, experiential and online, ESSENCE encompasses its signature magazine; digital, video and social platforms; television specials; books; as well as live events, including Black Women in Music, Black Women in Hollywood, Street Style and the ESSENCE Festival. Essence Communications is owned by Essence Ventures, an independent Black-owned, technology-driven company focused on merging content, community and commerce to meet the evolving cultural and lifestyle needs of people of color.