At Clark Atlanta University, experiential learning continues to place students at the intersection of culture, business, and creativity.
That commitment was recently demonstrated through a series of engagements with Grammy Award-winning artist Jill Scott, who connected with students in the University’s Sports and Entertainment Management program while also collaborating with the CAU Mighty Marching Panthers during HBCU Awarefest. The experience directly exposed students to the entertainment industry from both the business and performance perspectives, reinforcing the University’s mission to prepare graduates for leadership within evolving creative industries.
Dr. Markesha Henderson on Industry-Level Learning in the Classroom
Dr. Markesha Henderson, assistant dean and program director of Sports and Entertainment Management at the Clark Atlanta University School of Business, said the engagement reflects CAU’s intentional approach to embedding real-world industry access into academic learning.
She explained that having Jill Scott interact directly with students created an experience that extended far beyond traditional instruction.
“Having Jill Scott as a guest speaker for our music business class created a level of learning that textbooks and exams simply cannot replicate,” Henderson said. “Students were able to ask questions, test their assumptions, and gain insight into industry nuances. Opportunities like this position CAU as a premier destination to study sports and entertainment because, through our industry partners, we have access to global leaders in all sectors of the industry.”
Henderson emphasized that CAU’s model integrates classroom instruction with direct industry exposure, ensuring students graduate with both academic preparation and practical understanding.
“Clark Atlanta is located at the doorstep of a global epicenter for sports and entertainment,” she said. “We don’t just teach students about the industry; we position them within it through guest speakers, internships, and immersive experiences that are fully embedded into the curriculum.”
Jerry Clark on Access, Preparation, and Professionalism
Jerry Clark, music industry executive, educator, and founder of 1972 Entertainment and Legendary Jerry Group, played a key role in facilitating Jill Scott’s engagement with students, leveraging his industry relationships to bridge academic learning and professional access.
Clark said the goal was to ensure students encountered not just success but the discipline and authenticity behind it.
“I wanted my students to see what greatness looks like up close,” Clark said. “Jill Scott is not just a Grammy Award-winning artist. She is a storyteller, a businesswoman, and someone who has stayed true to who she is. When students hear from someone like that, it shifts their mindset and expands what they believe is possible.”
He emphasized that talent alone is not enough without the discipline to match it.
“I always tell my students this isn’t about the pretty picture you may see,” Clark said. “It’s about professionalism, preparation, and how you conduct yourself in every room you enter. Build relationships, never burn bridges, and always add value. In this industry, people remember how you made them feel and how you handled business.”
Clark also underscored the importance of long-term thinking in career development.
“Access is important, but what will you do with it once you have it?” he said. “Everything is attainable, but it comes through knowledge, consistency, persistence, and the relationships you build along the way.”
Torre Goodson on Performance, Pressure, and Growth
Torre C. Goodson, director of university bands at Clark Atlanta University, led the CAU Mighty Marching Panthers in their collaboration with Jill Scott during HBCU Awarefest, placing students in a professional performance environment that demanded precision, adaptability, and focus.
He described the experience as a defining moment for student musicians operating alongside a world-renowned artist.
“The collaboration represented validation at the highest level,” Goodson said. “Our students were placed in a professional performance environment alongside an artist whose career is built on musical integrity, precision, and storytelling. That demanded a different level of focus and preparation, and our scholar musicians stepped up to the challenge.”
Goodson noted that the experience required students to move beyond traditional marching band expectations and operate within a live, evolving production environment.
“They had to respond to live direction, adjust in real time, and contribute musically in a way that enhanced the artist without overwhelming them,” he said. “That’s a much different skill set than a halftime show. It forces maturity, and that’s where real growth happens.”
Building Legacy Through Experiential Learning at CAU
Goodson said experiences like this continue to shape the identity of the Mighty Marching Panthers and strengthen their presence within the broader HBCU band tradition.
“At HBCUs, bands are cultural institutions,” he said. “They are expected to simultaneously be guardians of tradition and drivers of innovation. We honor that tradition, but we are also expanding into professional spaces that reflect the larger music industry.”
As Clark Atlanta University expands opportunities across music, sports, entertainment, and media, its leaders remain unified in preparing students to move beyond participation and into industry leadership.
“What we’re building at Clark Atlanta University is intentional,” Goodson said. “Every opportunity is designed to prepare students for what comes next.”
Explore how Clark Atlanta University prepares students for careers in sports, music, and entertainment at cau.edu/academics.
