John Cash is a Professor and Managing Partner at Johnson C. Smith University, where he co-founded the JCSU Esports & Gaming Trifecta — the first esports program at a historically Black college or university in the nation. His work is about access, opportunity, and making sure every student has a seat at the table in a $240 billion industry.
Tell us about yourself and how you came to build this program.
I started by doing the research. There were over 100 colleges and universities with esports programs — and not one was an HBCU. That was a significant gap, and I recognized it as both a concern and an opportunity. Esports education opens doors to careers in a massive global industry, and HBCU students deserved that same access. That realization drove me to co-found the JCSU Esports & Gaming Trifecta and make JCSU the first HBCU in the nation to establish a program like this.
What does the JCSU Esports & Gaming Trifecta offer students?
The program includes a minor with five courses, a work-study program in our esports innovation lab, and competitive opportunities across collegiate leagues and tournaments. Our “Gamer/Scholars” don’t just play — they manage teams, host on-campus events for the Charlotte Metro community, attend national industry events, and compete on a national stage. The combination of coursework, hands-on program management, and industry exposure gives students a well-rounded foundation for meaningful careers in esports.
How do you measure success?
We measure success through the minor program, active industry practitioner involvement in curriculum development, and the real-world experience students build in our innovation lab. Every student works toward a portfolio they can take into the workforce. We also work to secure industry internships, because the ultimate measure is simple: are graduates prepared for opportunities when they leave?
What inspired you to build this in the first place?
The absence of any HBCU esports program was both alarming and motivating. All students should have access to education in emerging industries — and esports is a $240 billion global industry with careers across competition, media, technology, business, and beyond. HBCU students had been left out of that conversation entirely. We set out to change that.
Four years into ESTA membership, what’s been the value — and what are you hoping to get more of?
Industry networking has been the primary benefit, and those connections have been genuinely valuable. Looking ahead, I’m eager to deepen our engagement around curriculum development and support. There’s more the association can offer in that space, and I’m looking forward to tapping into it as the program continues to grow.
