Creative Content Team Visits Houston Rockets, Volunteers at Houston Food Bank

Five members of Alabama A&M University’s award-winning creative content team, Crew 75, maximized their time in Houston while covering the Marching Maroon & White at the 2025 Pepsi National Battle of the Bands. In addition to capturing the pageantry of HBCU culture inside NRG Stadium, the students sharpened their professional skills with the Houston Rockets and gave back to the community through service at the Houston Food Bank.

Seniors Jaden Wills of Atlanta, Georgia; Toni Herring of Sacramento, California; and Trinity Shipman of Nashville, Tennessee, joined by junior Jay Mayes Jr. of Montgomery, Alabama, and sophomore Kenneth Riggins of Mobile, Alabama, were invited to the Rockets’ home at Toyota Center for, “The Playbook: A Rockets Conversation.”

The workshop introduced students to creative careers in professional sports through panel discussions with Rockets employees: Senior Video Producer Jordan Sennett, Team Photographer Trevor Patin, and Social Media Coordinator Jerald Rogers. The conversation was moderated by Catrice Roggerson, Senior Community Relations Coordinator.

In addition to hearing directly from industry professionals, students participated in lessons in photography and videography, editing techniques, and creative strategies designed to build confidence and professional storytelling skills. The opportunity was made possible through the efforts of AAMU Marketing & Media Relations Coordinator and Houston native Collin Malone, a 2023 Houston Rockets Marketing Fellow through the NBA HBCU Fellowship Program.

 “I thought this was the perfect opportunity to expose our students to professionals who are living out the kind of careers they aspire to,” said Malone, who is also pursuing his MBA at AAMU. “Because of my connections with the Rockets, we were able to make that happen for Crew 75.”

Trinity Shipman, a senior from Nashville, described the workshop as both educational and inspiring. “My experience with the Houston Rockets workshop was very educational. Seeing professionals as young as 28 pursuing their dreams was truly inspiring. I’m so grateful to Crew 75 and A&M for creating that connection for us. I had a wonderful experience and learned so much!”

Senior Jaden Wills of Atlanta agreed. “My time at the Houston Rockets workshop was eye opening and motivating. Hearing from professionals who were only a few years older than me showed that it’s never too early to chase your goals. I’m thankful to Crew 75 and A&M for giving us the chance to make those connections and gain real insight into the industry.”

That same afternoon, Crew 75 embodied AAMU’s motto, “Service is Sovereignty,” by volunteering at the Houston Food Bank. Together, they sorted and packaged produce, contributing to the nonprofit’s mission of feeding food-insecure families.

“I really enjoyed staying to the end to see how much we accomplished when it came to sorting the fruits. We completed three pallets – 470 bags, 3,050 pounds of food – enough for 2,538 meals,” said Toni Herring.

Kenneth Riggins echoed that sentiment. “I really enjoyed my experience volunteering at the Houston Food Bank. While packaging and sorting different fruits, we were able to put up great numbers to positively impact the community.”

For Malone, the opportunity to give back in his hometown was deeply personal. “Houston has given me so much – opportunity, community, and pride. Giving back to this city isn’t just an obligation, it’s an honor, because every effort to uplift Houston is an investment in the place that shaped me.”

In February, Crew 75 covered the Honda Battle of the Bands at Sofi Stadium and volunteered with “A Place Called Home,” a nonprofit after-school program supporting 400 K-12 students in South Central LA.

Crew 75 will continue documenting the sights, sounds, and spirit of AAMU and HBCU culture throughout the year, including the upcoming Legacy Series football matchup between Tennessee State University and Alabama A&M on September 13 in Nashville, and the Magic City Classic on October 26 at Legion Field in Birmingham.