It’s All Connected
If you told me back in April that by summer I would be completing an internship with a local non-profit, I would’ve laughed. It’s interesting to see how God positions us to be in the right place at the right time. Joining the ERT as a communications intern this summer has been nothing but proof that God really does move in mysterious ways and that all things do come together for good. How I ended up at the ERT was a journey with a surprise I never saw coming.
This past fall, as a Norfolk State University student, I had the pleasure of being selected to participate in a mentorship and career development program with the Greater Norfolk Corporation. This program pairs up students and Norfolk professionals to foster a mentor and mentee relationship to enhance a student’s outlook on their professional future. I was paired with Giovanna Genard, the Vice President of External Affairs at PRA Group in Norfolk, Virginia. We met monthly to talk about life, leadership, and professional advancement, which led to a bond that would last beyond the academic semesters. As the spring semester wrapped up, I met Genard for our last check-in session. I told her about my recent Earth Day experience and shared frustrations about not receiving an internship for any of the local TV stations that I had applied to and asked her for advice on moving forward.
As a member of the Spartan BeeKeepers, (an environmental club, designed to promote HBCU beekeeping and environmental activities and awareness) I was able to advocate at an Earth Day event that was held on campus. The Spartan BeeKeepers are a growing community on campus looking for ways to expand and reach more people through pollination and environmental awareness. I shared the communications work I was doing for The Pollinator Educator, a non-profit founded by Carrie “HoneyBee” Brown. Brown loves bees and even founded the campus organization to bring her love of pollination to students. Genard’s eyes lit up as she told me that she was on the Board for the Elizabeth River Trail Foundation and would make the connection to see what could happen if we were to partner together to advance our environmental initiatives.
Less than two weeks later, Genard connected me with Kinda Greene and Morgan Willett, the Executive and Assistant Directors of the ERT. We discussed bees, trees, birds, community, and so much more. There was an instant connection between Brown, Greene, Willett, and I. We all loved the environment and wanted to work together to advance the city through pollination and more. We agreed that more collaboration was in order and met on the ERT to share ideas about how we could beautify the beginning of the trail which begins at my beloved university, NSU.
I was extended the opportunity to apply for an internship that catered to what I would want to gain professionally. Although this wasn’t the opportunity I had planned for, I was very excited to see how I could make an impact, and I officially became an intern for the Elizabeth River Trail Foundation. I was excited to see how I could connect NSU with the ERT. This would be something new, fresh, and exciting and I was ready to embrace it!
As a communications intern, I have created digital content for social media, written proposals, and press releases. I have sat in meetings where I learned so much about the professional world of nonprofit communications and marketing. I enjoyed a specific marketing meeting where I was able to see members of the ERT Marketing come together and zero in on the “little things.” From the logo on every brochure to the T-shirt design, the ERT strives for perfection. I loved seeing that every single detail matters and to have a successful business, brand, or organization, you must plan and execute every detail to the fullest. Each letter, color, and picture serve a purpose, and the ERT strives to give the community their best even through social media and marketing materials.
I genuinely felt fulfilled while working at the ERT. Although the ERT has only two staff members, outside of volunteers, I loved seeing both execute and get things done in an excellent manner. No matter how big or small a project is, it should always be done to the best of one’s ability. I also enjoyed seeing two women in power move to get things done even if that meant solely leaning on each other. It was inspiring. It felt great to be in a space where I was able to advance professionally and get personal feedback from the directors themselves.
Through these five weeks, I was even able to travel. As the president of NABJ at NSU I attended the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) National Convention in Chicago, Illinois. This was a life-changing experience because I was sitting in rooms with media professionals that I watch daily. As the first NSU student to attend since the pandemic it meant the world to me to represent my university on a national level. I still was able to submit my presentations for the ERT and work while away in Chicago. This internship also showed me that not all professional settings are rigid and that there are people (Greene and Willett) who understand and want to see everyone around them succeed.
As I wrap up my internship with the ERT, I look forward to seeing my NSU trail project trail come to fruition through hard work and community engagement. I never expected my summer to be spent in the heart of Norfolk or in the environment. I never knew that my GNC mentor would ultimately bring me here just by sharing my experiences with her and being open to networking. I may not have been in the TV studio, but this trail has become a second home. I have enjoyed learning about the city I live in and disconnecting from the busy urban life to focus on the environment and world around me. I have enjoyed working to bring more life to my university and be the bridge to a future and lasting connection.
