Montgomery Blair High School Alum Selected "Future Leader" by Television Academy Foundation

Montgomery Blair High School alumnus David Diouf has been selected for the prestigious Television Academy Foundation Internship program. He is one of 40 students chosen by Television Academy members from across the country for the 2026 Summer Internship program. The Foundation offers paid internships at top Hollywood studios and production companies annually to college students nationwide.

Additionally, Diouf was chosen for the esteemed Bob Bennett Future Leaders program. He is one of just 10 students selected amongst the Foundation’s 2026 summer interns for the initiative. The Bob Bennett Future Leaders program, established by a gift from the Robert M. & Marjie A. Bennett Foundation, provides financial support for interns as well as professional development and leadership training.

Diouf is currently a senior at Northwestern University majoring in radio, television and film. He will be interning this summer in the scripted series development department at The Walt Disney Company/FX in Los Angeles, California, through the Foundation’s program.

“It’s incredibly meaningful to be chosen by Television Academy members, especially knowing these are the same professionals who help recognize excellence through the Emmy Awards,” said Diouf. “Their support makes this opportunity feel even more validating because it comes from people who have spent their careers shaping the industry at the highest level. I’m genuinely grateful for the chance to learn from a program that is connected to such respected voices in television.

“What excites me most about this internship is the chance to learn from experienced professionals and be immersed in the television ecosystem every day,” said Diouf. “I’m especially excited to see how the industry works behind the scenes and to gain a deeper understanding of the creative and business sides of development.”

Born in Senegal, West Africa, Diouf emigrated to Silver Spring, Maryland, in his pre-teen years. He attended Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring.

“[Being an immigrant] taught me resilience, independence and the importance of hard work, because building a future in a new country required me to keep pushing forward and find the silver lining even when things felt difficult,” continued Diouf. “Today I see that experience as a strength because it has immensely shaped my perspective.”

The Television Academy Foundation shapes the art of creating television by engaging and educating the next generation of television professionals, providing essential resources that help them discover their voices, refine their skills and forge rewarding careers in every sector of the television industry. The Internship program provides over 50 students from across the nation with hands-on work experience and networking opportunities for accelerated career development in more than 30 disciplines annually.