The City of Houston, The Rejoice Network, Dream Academy and D-Mars Publication

Background

African American Studies provides students with a comprehensive quality undergraduate and graduate education and the opportunity for a creative intellectual experience based on the critical and systematic study of the life, thought, and practice of African peoples in their current and historical unfolding.

Within this framework, one of the primary goals of African American Studies is to maintain and strengthen existing links with the community through expanding joint educational and practical projects and exchanges. Student internship experiences are critical to providing a broad architecture of support for the program's overall mission.

Field Practicum

Students will typically intern at a sponsoring agency over the course of one semester (15 weeks). Students can intern a maximum of 20 hours per week at a sponsoring agency, and typically no more than 120 hours per semester.

There are five general categories that students can choose from for their internship experience:

• Education: Research/Tutoring, Mentoring
• Government: Public Policy/Leadership
• Performing Arts: Theatre, Dance, Music [Design, Management, Production]
• Service: Volunteer Management/Community Relations
• Health: Nutrition/Fitness

Intern Eligibility

Students must be enrolled in AAS 3366: African American Studies Community Internship and must be at least Junior Status. See the assigned instructor for more information about requirements, including placement with an organization that serves majority Black populations, to receive credit.

Internship Opportunities

D. Samuels & Associates, LLC

D. Samuels & Associates (DSA) and African American Studies have come together to offer internships to AAS minors seeking practical learning experiences in entrepreneurship, economic development and workforce development programming. DSA builds, lives, careers, and projects one person at a time with talent, technology, and tenacity through the provision of construction, construction management and resource development services.

A complete description of the internship along with application instructions can be found by clicking HERE.

The Afrocentric Communiversity

The Afrocentric Communiversity, LLC is an African-centered consulting company for nonprofits, grassroots organizations and Community Builders. Our goal is to transform the way the community “does” organization work. The Communiversity strives to redefine the relationship between community institutions, community engagement, and academia. Although located in Fort Worth, TX we have served many community institutions in Texas and primarily Houston. Our current portfolio consists of Birth Workers, schools, social justice organizations, community centers and social entrepreneurs.

A complete description of the internship along with application instructions can be found by clicking HERE.

Buffalo Soldiers National Museum

The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum was founded in 2001 by Vietnam Veteran and African American Military Historian Captain Paul J. Matthews. The private collection of military artifacts that Captain Matthews collected for 30 years became the foundation for the museum. It now boasts the largest collection of African American Military memorabilia in the World. Our mission is to educate, preserve, promote and perpetuate the history, tradition and outstanding contributions of the Buffalo Soldier and African American soldiers

A complete description of the internship along with application instructions can be found by clicking HERE.

One World Strategy Group

One World Strategy Group, (One World) is a Houston-based strategic communications firm, founded in 2004, that offers public relations, public affairs and public engagement services to our clients. We pride ourselves in the use of the performance improvement model that helps us guide public perception and policy. Our process is simple; we begin with a thorough assessment of the current situation, a series of strategy sessions, the creation of measurable objectives and a plan to move forward.

A complete description of the internship along with application instructions can be found by clicking HERE.

Community Artists’ Collective

The Community Artists’ Collective and African American Studies have come together to offer internships to AAS minors seeking practical learning experiences in community arts education, entrepreneurship, community development and arts exhibition programming. The COLLECTIVE creates, promotes, presents, and preserves for all people evidence of African American cultural traditions, values and aspirations in the natural and built environment. In its twenty-five year history, the COLLECTIVE has facilitated and engaged over 27,000 children and youth in arts activities that develop skills and interests in the creative process.

The COLLECTIVE has five specific programming goals: (1) Education—to make arts education more accessible to all children and adults; (2) Entrepreneurship—to assist artists in sustaining themselves through the provision of arts related services; (3) Community Development—to utilize the talents and creative abilities of artists to solve economic, environmental and social challenges in the community we serve; (4) Exhibition—to promote exhibitions of original work by living artists, young and old; and (5) Infrastructure—to provide the human and financial resources to support the educational, community development and exhibition programs.

A complete description of the internship along with application instructions can be found by clicking HERE.

Dream Academy

In the fall of 2011, African American Studies partnered with the U.S. Dream Academy in Houston, Texas to provide AAS minors with practical learning experiences in community development, educational leadership and youth mentoring opportunities. The partnership resulted in the creation of several student internships that will assist the U.S. Dream Academy with providing at-risk youth focused programming through mentoring and preparation in the use of technology.

Through aggressive and innovative academic enrichment and mentoring, the U.S. Dream Academy is working to build the dreams of the children with a family history of incarceration and those falling behind in school; and provide the tools that they need to achieve their dreams. The U.S. Dream Academy recognizes that the “digital divide” exists in many of the nation’s disadvantaged communities and further separates the haves and have-nots. Development of computer skills and access to the internet are central elements of the U.S. Dream Academy’s service delivery.

A complete description of the internship along with application instructions can be found by clicking HERE.

S.H.A.P.E Community Center

African American Studies has partnered with S.H.A.P.E. Community Center, a non-profit holistic community institution that specializes in providing educational resources and professional services in the Greater Houston Community.  The partnership aims to provide AAS students with hands-on training and exposure to community development projects and educational leadership initiatives. 

S.H.A.P.E.’s mission is to improve the quality of life for people of African descent (all people) through programs and activities, with emphasis on unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

As one of the most visible and involved community centers in the Greater Houston Community, as well as in the State of Texas, S.H.A.P.E. has led the way toward justice, equal opportunity, human rights and institution building in the city, state, nation and world.  Because of its deep commitment to the community, human rights and family strengthening and empowerment, S.H.A.P.E. has actively sought ways to oppose injustice and to improve the community for all people. 

A complete description of the internship along with application instructions can be found by clicking HERE.

Houston Area Urban League

The Houston Area Urban League (The League) and African American Studies have partnered to provide internships for AAS minors seeking practical learning experiences in community development, including workforce training, health and wellness initiatives, housing and social services, and education and youth development.  The League was founded in 1968 by a group of business professionals. Its leaders have included: Quentin Mease, Leo Linbeck, Judson Robinson, Sr., Gerald Hines, C. G. Hardy, J. J. Susberry, Mrs. Clarence Higgins, Carl Walker, James Middleton and Attorney Aloysius M. Wickliff.

Since then the Houston Area Urban League has been a voice for disadvantaged people of all races and has a long and distinguished record as an agency that offers tangible, lasting benefits to all members of the community without regard to age, sex, race, physical limitations or ethnic background.

Local agency directions and policy are set by a 37-member Board of Directors chaired by Mr. Morris Clark. Program services are provided by a 50+-member staff, over 500 volunteers, and an ever-growing membership dedicated to the League.

The mission of the Houston Area Urban League is to enable African Americans and other minorities to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights.

A complete description of the internship along with application instructions can be found by clicking HERE.

REJOICE! TV Network

The REJOICE! Television Network is a 2417 internet-based, live-streaming television network marketed specifically to a worldwide, English-speaking, urban, Faith-based, Family-Oriented audience. In this context, live-streaming means continually playing television content that can be accessed as part of daily programming as opposed to on-demand streaming content. The REJOICE! Television Network programming consists of G-rated shows geared to a variety of age groups and interests that primarily reflect African-Americans and Minorities in a positive light in today's society. Our intent is to enlighten our audience to historical African-American movies and television shows, as well as showcase original content for a viewer interested in inspirational, lifestyle-oriented television programs.

A complete description of the internship along with application instructions can be found by clicking HERE.