Empowering Voices: My Journey with the HBCU Summer Institute for Worker Justice | Arts & Entertainment

Before joining the HBCU Summer Institute, I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t think the program would leave such a lasting impact on me. What started off as “just an internship” grew into an opportunity to make lasting friendships, gain valuable insight and create never fading memories.

The HBCU Summer Institute for Worker Justice is a weeklong annual internship at North Carolina A&T State University that teaches HBCU students about racial, social and economic justice.

During this powerful week, I connected with student leaders from across the country who shared my passion for advocacy and communication. Together, we attended workshops led by inspiring guest speakers, explored the historic campus of North Carolina A&T and participated in community activism projects that challenged us to think critically about the issues affecting workers and underrepresented communities.

Throughout the program, I became more knowledgeable about the value of using my voice effectively and discovered the power of collective action.

Hearing real stories from workers and activists showed me how powerful storytelling can be, not just in the media, but in every effort to create change. By the end of the week, I didn’t just learn about justice; I learned how to embody it through leadership, empathy and purpose as an HBCU student.

I experienced significant personal growth throughout the program. I learned the importance of addressing uncomfortable topics rather than avoiding them. During this time of advocacy, I realized that if I wanted to create real change in my life and the world around me, I had to be vocal and willing to speak up, even when it wasn’t easy.

Growing up, I was shy, so using my voice and expressing myself has often been a challenge. However, hearing the speakers made me realize that being passive about change wasn’t an option. Stepping out of my comfort zone wasn’t easy, but allowing unjust patterns to continue around me would have been even harder.

Being surrounded by young scholars who were achieving and chasing their dreams motivated me to keep pursuing my own goals. Seeing students create daily content and take initiative to learn and build on their knowledge was both wonderful and enlightening. This experience showed me the value of dedication and reminded me how important it is to love what you do. You don’t have to be perfect, but strong passion and perseverance will take you a long way.

My week at the HBCU Summer Institute for Worker Justice was an unforgettable experience. It taught my peers and me how to use our voices to advocate for our needs and the importance of having difficult conversations that can create real change.

Most importantly, it reminded me to chase my dreams with determination and purpose. This internship continues to inspire me to grow, learn and use my voice to make a lasting impact in my community and future career.