From Interns to Changemakers: Reflecting on Our Internship Program

Reflecting on Our Internship Program

As we close another chapter of our internship program, I am filled with gratitude for the growth, creativity, and passion our interns bring to WE ARE. Over the past three years, Natalia Adamah has been more than just an intern — she has been a storyteller, a strategist, and a vital part of our team.

She first joined us after connecting with Dr. Ronda and seeing the authenticity and transparency in our leadership. What began as an opportunity to support social media soon grew into years of meaningful contributions — from developing engaging content for Women’s History Month to creating our Storytelling Toolkit, a resource that will serve future interns and staff alike.

Natalia’s reflection reminds us of what makes WE ARE unique: a culture that values people first. She describes WE ARE as a “blended family — warm, nurturing, and safe,” a space where she felt supported to grow, to try, and even to make mistakes without fear. She emphasized that our flexible, people-centered approach allowed her to not only strengthen her professional skills in social media and branding but also deepen her understanding of racial justice and the role of digital spaces in amplifying (and sometimes censoring) voices for equity.

Natalia leaves us with lessons that we also hold dear: rest as resistance, joy as activism, and authenticity as power. She noted that this internship gave her a chance to align her personal values with her professional work, and that breaking away from traditional “grind culture” made room for creativity and sustainability.

For us as an organization, her journey reflects the heart of why our internship program exists. It’s not only about teaching skills — it’s about cultivating leaders who carry forward the work of justice in ways that are sustainable, creative, and true to themselves.o

As we celebrate the impact of this program, we also look ahead. We hear the feedback Natalia shared — about clearer performance check-ins, stronger tools for workflow, and intentional opportunities for in-person collaboration. We take these insights seriously, because our goal is to make every intern’s experience as meaningful as hers.

To our interns past, present, and future: thank you for trusting WE ARE as a place to learn, grow, and lead. You remind us that the movement for justice is not only about changing systems — it’s also about building spaces where people can flourish.

until freedom,

Sierra Gibbs

Intern and Fundraising Coordinator