Stacy Milner had a vision for Hollywood, and it included HBCUs

She excels at defying the odds! Stacy noticed a lack of opportunities for Black youth in the entertainment industry, so she took it upon herself to create those opportunities. With perseverance and determination, she has successfully withstood the test of time through the creation of the Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program (EICOP). Starting from humble beginnings in Dayton, Ohio, and now residing in Los Angeles, California, she has dedicated herself to promoting diversity in Hollywood on her own terms.

During our conversation, she took me on a journey where she not only informed me about why she started the organization but also shared the efforts it took to bring it to the attention of Hollywood.

The Beginning of the Journey

Milner exclaimed, “We are now discussing Affirmative Action at a more advanced level.” During her time at NBC, where Stacy began her career in Hollywood, she encountered numerous situations and witnessed various experiences, but unfortunately, diversity was not one of them. Stacy’s strong work ethic and extensive network made her a sought-after professional, leading her to establish a temporary staffing agency. And even after thirty years, it continues to exist. However, their strong desire to efficiently complete tasks and connect with others quickly propelled her towards a new journey of actively pursuing diversity.

“As I glanced down the hall, I couldn’t help but notice how many people resembled me.”

Having climbed the ranks in the industry and studios, she recognized the importance of diversity across all aspects of the business, not just at the entry level. Milner stated, “In the past, there were only a few executives in the office who resembled me, and I could count them on less than three fingers.” Her interest was sparked by this realization, ultimately inspiring her to write the book “Leveraging Up: The Key to Launching Your Entertainment Career.” After that, she embarked on a book tour, where she visited colleges and universities throughout the country.

“When I arrived at HBCUs, I would often utilize acronyms and phrases when communicating with the students. It felt as though I was speaking a language that was unfamiliar to them.”

While attending a few HBCUs during her tour, she realized that there was a significant lack of preparation for students in terms of their readiness for the entertainment industry after college. Stacy expressed her observation that our HBCUs were significantly behind in their progress. When I returned to my clients, they repeatedly expressed their difficulty in finding diverse talent. I inquired, “Are you familiar with HBCUs?” Stacy found it unacceptable that there was a lack of knowledge about HBCUs and the individuals who graduate from them. HBCUs boast a legacy of over 150 years. Milner stated that it has produced visionaries and leaders. Recognizing the lack of exposure for her clients, she made it a priority to take them on this tour, specifically to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). During her visits, the students experienced a transformative moment as if a light bulb had turned on. Their eyes opened up to a whole new world, revealing a multitude of possibilities that they had never known existed.

We were debunking the myth that Hollywood only offers opportunities in writing, acting, directing, and producing. The industry encompasses a wide range of jobs within its infrastructure. I wanted to ensure that we were effectively reaching students from various majors.

The Challenges of Growth

In any endeavor, there are challenging aspects that we all must overcome. Stacy had to face the challenges ahead, considering the potential and positive impact her organization could have on Hollywood. However, she wondered if the industry was truly prepared for it. She admitted that initially they were not. Milner stated that they encountered several obstacles when they initially presented the idea to them. They received feedback that the concept was deemed too costly and lacked inclusivity. She was determined not to let anyone hinder her from doing what she knew was necessary.

“When I reminisced about a conversation I had with God when I was starting the first cohort of the program, I realized that I wasn’t seeking recognition or the spotlight. My main goal was simply to open doors,” explained Milner. Stacy has always been focused on the opportunity, which has allowed her to stay in control of this endeavor. There were moments, however, when he was on the verge of giving up and quitting. However, she continued to ponder the well-being of future generations, emphasizing her determination not to give up. She was determined to see this through.

“You were unable to accomplish it because it was not your vision.”

Stacy shared that after some people in the industry witnessed the success of her program, they attempted to associate her idea with it. She expressed, “And surprisingly, all the individuals they approached eventually returned to me.” Stacy’s statement highlights the positive outcome of others recognizing the value of her program. Despite having larger budgets and more resources, the copycat programming created by these individuals paled in comparison to Stacy’s vision and mission. That is why they ultimately decided to cease their efforts, as they recognized that she was an unstoppable force when it came to representing HBCUs in Hollywood.

This year, we have already collaborated with 26 different partners and have been hosted in various sectors of the industry.

When considering disruptors, innovators, or pioneers, I believe that Stacy should be recognized as one. She did something that had never been done before, but that’s not the only reason. However, she recognized a genuine and pressing need for a community that would support overlooked and marginalized individuals and institutions. She embarked on a mission without knowing if it would be successful or beneficial. What she did know was that it was something necessary and needed for the future generations of both Hollywood and HBCUs.

About EICOP

In 2017, EICOP joined forces with The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (WHI-HBCU) under the Obama administration and launched its signature program, HBCU IN LA. The HBCU IN LA, HBCU IN NY, and HBCU IN ATL Internship Programs provide a select group of diverse student leaders the opportunity to gain access and opportunities to internships essential for launching and leveraging a career in an industry where they have been sorely underrepresented. This innovative pipeline development initiative is the first of its kind to provide students with critical Los Angeles, New York and Atlanta-based housing and the opportunity to participate in 10 week internships with major studios, networks, talent agencies and other global creative industry organizations. 

EICOP’s HBCU IN LA, HBCU IN NY and HBCU IN ATL are innovative pipeline development programs designed to provide access and opportunity to underrepresented students of color and help meet the industry’s diversity goal of employing a workforce that is reflective of the diverse communities it serves. The program has also expanded to include Technology/E-Sports, Music, Sports, Fashion, Music, and Commercial Production. 

To learn even more you can visit https://eicop.org/