FONTANA, CA – Summit High School senior Nicole Bell aspires to reshape the landscape of the film and television industry one day and pursue a career where she can champion Black representation and contribute to fostering positive diversity and inclusion in the industry.

Bell’s leadership qualities and goal to blaze trails for the Black community led to her being recognized and receiving a $1,000 grant during a virtual Celebrating Black Success event on Feb. 24. She currently serves as co-director of SkyHawk Productions, Summit High’s TV Production program, where she is exploring potential career pathways where she can make an impact in film and television.

“I want to bring representation to more than just stereotypical characters who represent the Black people and other minorities. I want to open the scope of what people see on their screens,” said Bell during the event, which strives to inspire a brighter future for all by celebrating the achievements and resilience of the Black community.

SkyHawk Productions spotlights Summit High’s students, staff, and teachers and focuses on daily campus life. Bell, who also serves as Summit High’s color guard captain, developed a new feature for SkyHawk Productions called “Tiny Mics” that is dedicated to her amplifying diverse voices.

Summit High teacher Artie Casas encouraged Bell to chase her dreams and highlighted her impact on SkyHawk Productions, where he serves as a faculty advisor.

“Today the program is primarily led by females and is much more culturally diverse,” Casas said. “Nicole is one of the faces of our program, and I think she is a big part of what the future has in store for us.”

Bell hopes to attend a University of California institution, either UC Santa Barbara or UC Santa Cruz following graduation. She plans to major in film and TV production and explore different career avenues within the film industry, including writing and directing.

“Nicole Bell has already accomplished so much through her leadership at Summit High School, and we look forward to seeing what she will achieve in her career,” Superintendent Miki R. Inbody said. “Fontana Unified programming is designed to empower and inspire students to achieve greatness, and it is an honor our District has played a part in her journey to developing a more diverse, inclusive future.”

PHOTO CAPTION:

FUSD_BELL: Summit High School senior Nicole Bell, center, was honored with a $1,000 grant during a Celebrating Black Success event on Feb. 24 for her efforts in blazing trails for the Black community. Bell, the co-director of her school’s TV Production program, SkyHawk Productions, aspires to change the narrative on Black representation in media in her career.