Students may choose to pursue a registered internship (through INP) that will meet the experiential learning requirement. To satisfy the academic requisite, students will apply specific aspects of the histories and theories of Africana Studies to the work experience. The internship must be approved by the Department Chair.
Africana Studies Sponsored Internships
Africana Studies Archives & Special Collections Internship, Carlisle, PA
This year-long internship is designed to cultivate advanced knowledge of the Waidner-Spahr Library’s Archives and Special Collections, with a focus on materials related to Africana peoples. It offers students a rich, hands-on experience working with resources that document Africana history, art, culture, and contributions—both globally and within the °µÍø½ûÇø community.
Guided by the mission of Africana Studies—to understand and improve the lives of Africana peoples—the intern will develop a comprehensive research project. This project will involve deep engagement with archival materials and reflect a nuanced understanding of Africana heritage and scholarship. For more information, contact Prof. Nadia Alahmed.
Crage/Craig Cemetery Internship: Unearthing Black Histories in Dauphin County
This internship invites students to explore the Crage/Craig Cemetery, a historic African American burial ground in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Drawing on scholar Katherine McKittrick’s insights into the significance of Black geographies, the project centers on recovering narratives of slavery, emancipation, segregation, industrialization, and Black landownership—stories embedded in the lives and legacies of the formerly enslaved Craig family. Through hands-on engagement with this sacred site, interns will reflect on Black life in south central Pennsylvania and contribute to ongoing efforts in community memory and historical preservation.
The internship runs for at least eight weeks throughout the year. For more information, contact Rev. Yvette Davis, Director of the Esther Popel Shaw Center or Prof. Lynn Johnson, Africana Studies
Preserving Black Religious History at Abyssinian Baptist Church Internship, Harlem, NY
The Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, New York, is a cornerstone of Black religious and cultural life. For over 100 years, it has nurtured spiritual growth and documented African American leadership, social justice activism, and resilience. Its archives—sermons, photographs, historical and political documents—offer a rich window into this legacy.
To support ongoing preservation efforts, this summer internship allows students to work directly with the church’s archival materials, gaining hands-on experience in cultural preservation and historical research. The on-site internship runs for eight weeks (June–July), totaling at least 80 hours. While unpaid, students will earn experiential learning credit toward their degree requirements. For more information, contact Prof. Lynn R. Johnson