VIDEO: Introducing Our 2018 Summer Interns (They Are Really In Their Feelings)

Each summer, Her Agenda invites a select group of high school and college interns to participate in our summer internship program. These ladies learn skills across the news and media board, including editorial writing, newsroom-style pitching, partnerships,  interview skills, social media production and video production as well as softer business skills such as time and project management, teamwork and making deadlines.

We’re not going to lie – this group of interns has been one of the most collaborative, creative and fun groups we’ve had! And in the spirit of all the energy and creativity they bring, our interns have created and produced their own little Drake-inspired ode to Her Agenda, dedicated specifically to our fabulous founder, Rhonesha Byng.

Above you’ll find the brand new, totally exclusive, intern dance video. Let’s just say these ladies are very much in their feelings…

Learn more about our amazingly awesome intern’s below in this spotlight Q&A!

Shirley Ariza, Instagram/Community Engagement

Age: 22

Article or social media piece you’re most proud of: I’m most proud of this graphic I made for our #StartUpShoutOut pieces. It was also the first real compliment I received which made me sleep better at night, lol. It’s also helped increase social media engagement on my announcement posts.

Your Spirit Feminist (i.e. who do you want to be like?): Cardi B

Favorite Her Agenda moment so far: Filming the #InMyFeelings video and dancing with everyone. We had the chance to let loose and have fun. It made me realize even more that I’m so glad I got to meet everybody. I think I’ve really met awesome people I feel I can keep in touch with forever (which contrasts differently to my previous jobs and internships).

Regina Fontanelli, Editorial

Age: 19

Article or social media piece you’re most proud of: Favorite piece would have to be either the one about The Importance of Balancing Professionalism & Self Expression or The Woke Women of Ozy Fest. They were just fun to write.

Your Spirit Feminist (i.e. who do you want to be like?): I really love Roxanne Gay right now. She’s dope afffff and super honest in her writing. We have extremely different lives and problems, but she’s such an inspiration.

Favorite Her Agenda moment so far: And legit, love my talks with Shanthi and also, the #InMyFeelingsChallenge was great. Rhonesha’s reaction was gold. It’s honestly been a pretty cool time. Being surrounded by dogs (in our coworking space) all the time also really makes my day.

Wideyveline “Taicha” Morin, Editorial

Age: 20

Article or social media piece you’re most proud of: The article I’m the proudest of is the Google piece. I haven’t written an article in months before coming to this internship. So I was a bit nervous to get back into writing.  However, I wanted to challenge myself. Though I struggled a bit,  I fixed my mistakes. Now, I’m building my writing muscles and confidence.

Your Spirit Feminist (i.e. who do you want to be like?): My spirit feminist is Michelle Obama. I love her! She is the epitome of not letting anything or anyone slow down her agenda. She grew up on the South Side and look at her now – a dual ivy league grad, a lawyer, and first lady. If she can do it, I can be anything I set my mind to as well.

Favorite Her Agenda moment so far: My favorite Her Agenda moment is every moment of the internship thus far. I get to have knowledge poured into me by Nesha. I share my experience with five wonderful fellow young women and a fun managing editor. I get the chance to regain my confidence as a writer and a person again to go out and conquer in school, my passions, and in life. Also, I get to go to Buzzfeed next week!

Bushra Naqi, Instagram/Community Engagement

Age: 16

Article or social media piece you’re most proud of: I’m most proud of my first published article: How Can Black Women Focus On Self Care When Their Existence Is Under Attack? This piece has made me proud because it is something that I am passionate about and took initiative to speak up for an issue I have been longing to talk about, and that more people outside of the Black community need to talk about.

Your Spirit Feminist (i.e. who do you want to be like?): My Spirit Feminist is the lovely Shanthi Marie Blanchard – our managing editor –  because I don’t personally know Beyoncé. Shanthi has taught me how to navigate my way through this wonderful internship, she constantly empowers me (even if I’m the shortest person ever), and she reminds me that my thoughts/feelings matter. Shanthi is one of my amazing mentors and she is someone I aspire to be like.

Favorite Her Agenda moment so far: My favorite Her Agenda moment so far is the In My Feelings challenge that we’ve been filming for like, eight decades now. Every single take was hilarious and very memorable. Drake should definitely hire us as his background dancers. Also, I’m going to miss these wonderful queens so much at the end of this internship!

Dalia Saavedra, Instagram/Community Engagement

Age: 20

Your Spirit Feminist (i.e. who do you want to be like?): One day I want to be like Maria Elena Salinas, former anchor at Univison. For over 30 years she served as the voice for the Hispanic and immigrant community. She’s fierce, strong, and passionate about defending basic human rights. Growing up, I saw very few Hispanic representations on TV shows, magazines, and even advertisements that only targeted English-speaking people. The only time I would see myself represented in the media was when my mom would change the channel to Univision and I would see Maria Elena Salinas delivering the news.

Article or social media piece you’re most proud of: The social media piece I’m most proud of is the Blue Ivy meme! It got about 1,000 likes in less than 3 days. It was funny but also informative because it connected to an article (we had on teh site) about how to use credit cards in an effective way. People were able to connect to it, too.

Favorite Her Agenda moment so far: My favorite Her Agenda moment so far is doing the In My Feelings challenge! Editing it too.

Nathalie Pena, Editorial Partnerships (Remote)

Age: 22

Your Spirit Feminist (i.e. who do you want to be like?): My spirit feminist is Jo Franco from the YouTube travel duo, Damon, and Jo. She’s not necessarily a feminist activist, but she’s a woman who’s ambitious, unapologetic and inspiring because of her love of travel and languages. She doesn’t let the fact that she’s a young woman of color stop her from fulfilling unorthodox dreams.

Favorite Her Agenda moment so far: Checking out the slack channels filled with ideas and support from other Her Agenda women.

Want to intern for Her Agenda this fall? Apply here.