Week Two

First days of anything can be tough – first days in a new city, first days of school, and first days of work. Being CBCF interns, we’ve been confronted with all three issues at the same time! In this fast paced environment that we have been so confidently and meticulously placed in, why not add a trip to New York City in the mix for a luncheon with our sponsor New York Life.

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Week Two

My first week as a Congressional intern working on Capitol Hill has been full of life changing experiences. Each day as a CBCF intern I encountered various challenges in which forced me to learn things about myself that I had yet to discover. This enabled my ability to adapt and recognize strengths in certain areas and also weaknesses in which I can enhance throughout my duration as a CBCF intern this summer. I quickly learned that each task entitles an amount of responsibility, however by learning to view each as an opportunity to enhance my professional development allowed me to finish each diligently and with satisfaction.

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On Wednesday, June 9, Interns from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute and Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies gather to meet, network and hear words of encouragement from members of Congress.

Thanks to our sponsors for helping us bring 42 bright students to D.C.!

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Week One

Wow, what an experience! My first week as a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation intern has been nothing short of spectacular. The city of Washington DC is rich in history, and what better history lesson than the African Museum of Art at the Smithsonian to touch on our personal historic knowledge? I have met some of the most goal oriented young people in my life within the short time that I’ve been here. There are individuals from all walks of life, all with different stories to tell, and I’m all ears!

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Last night, our Summer 2010 Interns attended the CBCF Alumni Reception Sponsored by New York Life with CBCF Alumni, CBCF Staff and Rep. Al Green of Texas. Please enjoy a few candid photos of evening! (Click to enlarge – Photos by Lance Jones).

CBCF President Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D. and CBCF Internship Program Coordinator Ervin Johnson

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Hot out of the dark room (email) from our photographer, two group photos of the Summer 2010 CBCF Congressional Interns. Full roster link to follow. Photo by Kea Taylor (click to enlarge).

Intern Photos

CBCF Interns and Spelman students Jamila Davis, Deloris Wilson and Chelsea Everett pose with Dr. Johnnetta Cole, first African American female president of Spelman College

Dr. Johnnetta Cole with CBCF Intern

Photos by CBCF Intern Rasheena Latham

Week One

For over a century, many of our black leaders have fought endlessly to have their voices heard within the legislative and representative process here in Washington DC. For these gracious endeavors I am grateful to the CBCF and its sponsors who are all responsible in providing me this excellent opportunity to learn the true sense and meaning of what it means to be the “consciousness of congress.” This first week of orientation has been very beneficial in the aspect of opening my once shielded eyes to inner-workings of public policy, law, and politics on Capitol Hill. There is an abundance to learn and many skills to acquire within these nine weeks, however I am confident that along with my fellow 41 CBCF congressional internship cohorts, we will end this program successfully and become even more civically engaged citizens for the benefit and betterment of our communities and our endless dedication to public service.

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What To Do When The Unknown Beckons

This summer I will be working as an intern with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) in the offices of Delegate Christensen from the Virgin Islands. The first week has mainly been focused on orientation where we have learned about what matters we might encounter while working in our respective offices. I found these lectures to be very informative especially because they were topics that my office had not covered in detail. For example, one of the sessions was about networking and the dos and don’ts associated with it – unwritten rules I wouldn’t have known about. We also learned about a few of our possible duties including: answering constituent mail; answering the phone; writing press releases; and researching information on a pertinent topic our respective congressional members.

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Week One

My first week as a CBCF intern has been a little out of the ordinary. This is my second summer working in the city of DC, which means I have already come to know a lot of people here in the city. Also, I basically know how to get around which means I do not have to depend on anyone else to get me where I am going. While being here last summer makes the adjustment to living here a little easier, my absence for two days from the program makes getting to know people a little harder.

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Week One

Most CBCF Congressional Interns probably got the spine-tingling, eye-widening, head spinning thrill on the day they received their acceptance email. My thrill came as my plane bounced, then coasted to a stop at Dulles International Airport on Memorial Day. As the seatbelt sign disappeared with a chime, the magnitude of the internship, and its implications on my life, materialized. This summer, I will be leaping towards the life and career path I truly desire along with forty something other overachievers with similar, if not identical goals to my own, and wildly diverse experiences.

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Week One

The anticipation to embark on an incredible experience provided by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation began at 10 am the Sunday before move-in. The long drive was more than enjoyable as I reflected on the intellectual and professional opportunities I had been afforded prior to my arrival in Washington, D.C. I have a history of struggling to adapt to change in life. This includes schools, living arrangements, and even different grades of milk (I still prefer whole to 2%)!

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The Disorienting Orientation

Excited, nervous and slightly bewildered were the emotions that I felt on Memorial Day, the first official day of the CBCF program. Sitting around for three weeks after school ended, I had spent most of my days researching information on the CBCF organization as well as the life of a Congressional Intern. Some information I laughed out in wonder about how some students could think that pulling out their intern badge as proof of ID in restaurants or others who do not know the difference between the Republican Party and Democratic Party.

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Finding My Place Amongst My Own

While packing my belongings to embark on my journey to Washington, D.C., a million thoughts were running through my head. Everything from worries of not fitting in, loathing my roommates, and/or becoming extremely homesick were all major concerns for me.  My experience as being an African-American student at a predominately white institution has made me aware of both feeling defensive and fighting to protect my identity as an emerging black intellectual. When I arrived to D.C., I no longer had to fight; I felt at home.  It is rare that I meet other young black students that not only have the intention of becoming successful in their respective fields, but also have the aim of helping their communities. As soon as I began to speak with my fellow interns and hear their backgrounds, aspirations, and goals I immediately began to understand the nature of this program.

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