WS Chronicle

From June 13 until July 26, nine college students participated in a summer internship program at Union Baptist Church in order to earn an edge on their career pursuits. On Wednesday, July 26, the interns dressed in professional attire and presented their assigned projects to their parents, church leaders, and the sponsors of the internship program.

The purpose of The College Internship Program is to give college students an opportunity to share their knowledge base with the church ministry, while giving them an opportunity to learn in a real working environment.

Bishop Sir Walter Mack Jr., pastor of Union Baptist Church, is elated about the outcome of this year’s internship program.

“This has been a phenomenal summer with our interns. I am thankful that I had time to impart into them principles that hopefully will stay with them throughout their journey,” Bishop Mack said.

Nine students participated in the summer internship initiative. They are Kylan Bell, a criminal justice major from North Carolina A&T State University; Jacquelyn Blake, a social work major from Bennett College; William Comer, a biological sciences major with a concentration in biology and a minor in creative writing at North Carolina State University; Mashad Covington, a recreational management major from Shaw University; Asia Hargrave, a sports studies major from East Carolina University; Jamel Jordan, a pre-med major from Gardner-Webb University; Daelon Robinson, an accounting/finance major from Western Carolina University; Dreven Robinson, a business management major from Western Carolina University; and Ayana Southerland, s master’s student in occupational therapy at Winston-Salem State University. 

The internship director is Glynis Bell, an adjunct professor at Forsyth Technical Community College in the field of interpersonal psychology and textiles. The Executive Committee of the Internship Program included Jeremy Gilyard, Me’lia Covington and Cheryl Lindsay.

Director Bell coordinated a diverse panel of presenters on various topics.  These topics included “Dress For Success,”  “Workplace Code and Ethics,”  “How to Do a Television Interview,”  “Communication and The Importance of Presentation,”  “Resume Writing.” “Understanding Political Environments,” “Community Service Involvement,”  “Hospice Care and Ministry Moments,” and other issues of interest. Some of the presenters included Canisha Cierra Turner, motivational speaker from Executive Reign; Mayor Allen Joines; Mutter Evans; Kienus Boulware, head football coach of Winston-Salem State University; Dana Suggs of Body and Soul boutique; Judge Denise Hartsfield; Danny Freeman, financial adviser; and David Washington, who deals with custom clothing and personal branding.

They were also required to attend two City Council meetings, and they had to read the book “Dog Whistle Politics:  How Coded Racial Appeals Have Reinvented Racism and Wrecked the Middle Class” by Ian Haney Lopez.  In addition, the interns had to participate in a group outreach program at the Second Harvest Food Bank, and they volunteered at the Global United Fellowship Conference in Greensboro.

Each intern was responsible for completing an assigned project. For example, intern William Comer designed, organized and proposed a Sweat Suit Sunday REMIX by developing a health focus initiative for men, organizing and proposing a weight inspiration program and organizing a Worship in the Park Community Day.