NBJC Intern & Fellows_

The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is the nation’s only civil rights organization intentionally and unapologetically working at the intersections of racial equity and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, same gender loving, and other sexuality- and gender-expansive (LGBTQ+/SGL) equality. We understand that as long as there have been Black people there have been Black LGBTQ+/SGL people.

Our mission is to end racism, homophobia, and anti-LGBTQ+/SGL bias and stigma. Since 2003, NBJC has provided leadership at the intersection of national civil rights groups and LGBTQ organizations, advocating for the unique challenges and needs of communities that are often relegated to the sidelines. NBJC envisions a world in which all people are fully-empowered to participate safely, openly, and honestly and are able to thrive.

Interns and Fellows at NBJC:

• Care deeply about the intersectional needs of Black LGBTQ+/SGL communities;
• Are passionate about learning how organizations like ours work;
• Want to contribute and sharpen skills related to public policy, advocacy, research, strategic communications, and education;
• Are enrolled at, or recent graduates of, an accredited college or university (part- or full-time); and
• Are available at least three full working days/week for at least one academic semester, if interns, and for a full year, if fellows.

If you have a desire to learn about the fast-paced and high-stakes world of federal public policy and advocacy, NBJC could be a great fit for you.

General Responsibilities include:

NBJC engages in dynamic work, from providing professional development to giving briefings and testimony on Capitol Hill, to offering crisis support.

While activities and tasks will be responsive to the organization’s real-time needs, interns and fellows are likely to:

• Research issues and compile reports/briefs that inform policy and practice;
• Support program design and delivery (i.e. workshops);
• Contribute to digital/social media messaging and information campaign content;
• Support event planning and delivery (i.e. Thrive Summits, The Black Institute);
• Support organizational information management and operations;
• Liaise with other civil rights, LGBTQ, and policy organizations on behalf of NBJC;
• Engage with NBJC’s constituency to strengthen connections with the organization, including by responding to inquiries; and
• Support and contribute to meetings with team members, external partners, and others, including federal briefings and events.

Required Skills:

Candidates must:

• Be able to work well independently and as part of a team;
• Have strong organizational skills;
• Be self-starters;
• Be able to think critically;
• Exercise sound judgment, discretion, professionalism, and political savvy;
• Be timely in delivering assignments, attending meetings, and arriving to work;
• Have excellent research and communication skills (verbal, written, problem-solving, help-seeking); and
• Be adept in the use of Google and Microsoft Office suites.

Additional Considerations

Internships and fellowships are unpaid. Participants are responsible for ensuring they have reliable technology (computer, software, broadband, telephone) during their work assignment. NBJC is a fully remote company.

Application Review

NBJC evaluates applications on the basis of experience (resume, CV, transcript), quality of thought (cover letter), and the strength of the candidate’s interest in improving the lives and well-being of Black LGBTQ+/SGL individuals, families, and communities.

Application Tips

• Make sure you submit a complete application;
• Prepare your cover letter and resume/CV before you start the application;
• Upload documents in .pdf format;
• Name documents with your LastName_DocumentType (i.e. Johnson_Resume).

Cover Letter Tips

• Tell us about yourself – your passions, purpose, and dreams;
• Tell us what excites you about NBJC’s work;
• Tell us how your experience has prepared you to contribute to our work, and
• ALSO tell us what skills and knowledge you hope to build at NBJC.

Work at NBJC tends to fall into three broad arenas:

• Communications/Marketing;
• Education/Research;
• and Action/Advocacy.

Well-being initiatives span all three, as we have an explicit focus on HIV/AIDS education, prevention, and advocacy, for example. With this in mind, tell us where your interests lie, within or across departments.