We are very happy to have awarded the first EFA Ruth Mullen Memorial Scholarships and wanted to introduce the inaugural recipients in more detail. Mauranne Vernier of Evanston, Illinois, received the undergrad scholarship, and Kristen Shipley of York, Pennsylvania, received the graduate scholarship. Both are academically accomplished and have gained significant experience in print and broadcast media. We reached out and they were kind enough to answer some questions about themselves and share their thoughts on the future of media and publishing.

Mauranne Vernier

Mauranne is currently a junior at Spelman College majoring in English.  She serves as editor-in-chief of the school’s newspaper and as an editorial intern for Spelman’s Blue Record podcast. She also recently worked as a scripted television publicity intern at Warner Bros. Discovery. Mauranne plans to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, with a goal of pushing Black storytelling forward.

Talk about a high point in your life—a personal or professional accomplishment, a learning experience, a moment of change or growth. 

I was getting my first internship this summer at Warner Brothers. It was a very long process with different interview stages, but as I progressed, I became more and more confident. I learned so much about public relations and television, and the experience has shaped what I want to do after I graduate. 

What inspires you? 

My family. They are always rooting for me and praying for me. I wouldn’t have gotten so far without them, and I’m blessed to have such a caring family. 

What is the change you would like to see in the world? And how will you approach making it happen? 

A change I would like to see is more opportunities for people of color in the media and entertainment industry. I hope to one day become the president of a television company or subsidiary company and help bring more attention to stories that represent more of my upbringing and neighborhood. 

What do you see in the future of media and publishing? And how do you think young people like yourself will impact this? 

I see more opportunities and jobs for people of color. I see more leadership positions. I think young people like myself will open doors for future generations. 

Recommend something good to read. (As editors, we are all readers and always looking for suggestions!) 

I recently read Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God, which was terrific. 

What would you like people to know about you? 

Aside from being a busy college student in my free time I’m really into TV shows and movies and I love to bake. My favorite show right now is Veep on HBO and a movie that I recently watched that I enjoyed was When Harry Met Sally. My favorite things to bake are brownies and banana bread. 

Kristen Shipley

Kristen is a 2018 graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T), where she studied journalism and mass communications with a concentration in public relations. She is currently an MBA candidate at Harvard Business School and aspires to become a successful entrepreneur who inspires the next generation through her work, public speaking, and writing. She has worked for Google, YouTube, and Obvious Ventures.

Talk about a high point in your life—a personal or professional accomplishment, a learning experience, a moment of change or growth. 

Attending the largest HBCU in the nation, North Carolina A&T State University, on a full academic scholarship was a high point in my life, both personally and professionally. While in school, I made lifelong friends and experienced new things—interning in politics and tech and studying abroad in Japan.

What inspires you? 

I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams. I am inspired by my parents, grandparents, and all of the generations before me who made sacrifices and paved a way for me to move through the world. 

What is the change you would like to see in the world? And how will you approach making it happen? 

I want to see more equity when it comes to Black and brown people having the tools and resources to create generational wealth, whether that be through entrepreneurship, tech, investing or other means. I plan to make this a reality by working in tech and investing to direct the flow of capital to entrepreneurs and leaders in the space creating opportunities and more equitable access to capital. 

What do you see in the future of media and publishing? And how do you think young people like yourself will impact this? 

I see the future of media and publishing becoming more immersive and democratized. With the advent of social media, AR/VR, and lower barriers to access information, we have already seen how consumption habits have changed. I want to impact this by sharing my work on these platforms and promoting the work of other talented authors, journalists, and credible news sources to elevate diverse voices and perspectives.

Recommend something good to read. (As editors, we are all readers, and we’re always looking for suggestions!)

Most days, I am reading cases for my classes, but one of my favorite books is All About Love by bell hooks.

What would you like people to know about you?

I want people to know that I love to listen to music and go to concerts. My favorite concerts were Beyoncé and John Legend!

About the EFA Ruth Mullen Memorial Scholarship Program

“This is an unprecedented moment for the EFA, as it is the first time our association has awarded scholarships,” said Andrea Reid, co-chairperson of the EFA’s Ad Hoc Committee on HBCU Scholarships and herself a graduate of Howard University. “It is especially important and gratifying that the scholarships are focused on HBCUs! I am honored to be a part of the process that has granted EFA scholarships to these two individuals, Ms. Vernier and Ms. Shipley, who are destined to change their communities and the world.”

The EFA Ruth Mullen Memorial Scholarship, awarded in partnership with the UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is named in memory of Ruth Mullen, longtime EFA member and volunteer. At the time of her tragic death in September 2021, Ms. Mullen was serving as an EFA co-executive. “Ruth was an early and strong advocate for this scholarship program,” said Andrew Huston, co-chairperson of the scholarship committee. “Given Ruth’s lifelong support of civil rights and educational equity, the EFA Board of Governors enthusiastically supported naming this scholarship program in her memory.”

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Sheryl Holmberg, Public Relations Chairperson
EFA Board of Governors