Meet Our Interns
Alexis Logan
Role: Communications Intern
Organization: Mehari Sequar Gallery
Workmate: Jordan Taylor
Year: 2022
"Black advancement means furthering the interests of the Black community by uplifting every aspect of the community."
Alexis Logan is from Coral Springs, Florida. She is currently studying either psychology or sociology at Harvard University and getting a secondary in African American studies. She was a member of the First Year Black Table and next year will be an inclusivity chair for the Black Students Association. In this position, she will work to foster an inclusive space for all people within the Black community. As a violinist and violist, she has provided free lessons and concerts to disadvantaged community members in order to spread her love of music. She also raised over $3,000 during the pandemic for frontline healthcare workers, assisted living facility residents, and homeless shelters. She has also worked with internet influencers for seven years in order to facilitate their relationships with their communities and increase their engagement.
Anaya Beckles
Role: Programs Intern
Organization: Black Women's Health Imperative
Workmate: Mbachur Mbenga
Year: 2022
"I am motivated by my family's effort to be successful in America. I come from a family of immigrants that worked very hard to make a life for themselves and gave me opportunities to allow me to be the best I can be."
Anaya Beckles is from Los Angeles, California. She currently attends Xavier University of Louisiana and pursuing a degree in Psychological Science. During her time at Xavier, she has worked on several research projects focused on Black youth and continues to serve those in the New Orleans community. After undergrad, she hopes to pursue her Master's and Doctorate degrees in Counseling Psychology and began her career as a therapist. She also enjoys watching movies, reading books, cooking, and being in nature.
Cailin L. Pryor
Role: Research and Programs Intern
Organization: The Steve Fund
Workmate: Emma-Lee Furrowh
Year: 2022
"My life's mission and daily motivator are to be a person who provides a secure environment for others- to not just seek counsel but also to tell their truth, express their feelings, and simply be themselves."
Cailin L. Pryor is from Raleigh, North Carolina. She completed her undergraduate studies at North Carolina A&T State University, majoring in psychology. While at North Carolina A&T State University, she participated in several organizations that helped raise mental health awareness in addition to volunteering as an online counselor for Crisis Text Line. Cailin is currently planning on pursuing her Master's degree in mental health counseling. Her location of choice for schooling is still underway. As a student, she helped conduct and organize multiple programs that spoke about the mental health disparities in the African American community and how to make improvements. She lives in Greensboro, North Carolina but will be relocating back to her hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina. She enjoys working out, writing poetry, and trying out new restaurants in surrounding areas.
Danielle Berry
Role: Advocacy and Communications Intern
Organization: The Education Trust
Workmate: Nia Daniels
Year: 2021
"The possibility of creating a better world for others in the way that my parents provided me motivates me."
Danielle Berry is from Harlem, New York. She attends South Carolina State University where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in English education. Before attending South Carolina State University, Danielle served as an Americorps member for City Year Columbia where she worked with fifth- and sixth-graders as a peer mentor and tutor. This encouraged her to pursue a career in education. Danielle is a 2020 Walton K-12 education fellow. While at South Carolina State University, she works in the Student Success and Retention Program and assists students as a resident assistant. In addition to school, she serves her country as an airman in the United States Air Force. Danielle lives in Beaufort, SC, and enjoys reading and debating.
Elijah Schimelpfenig
Role: Civil Litigation Intern
Organization: ArchCity Defenders
Workmate: RayVon Addison
Year: 2022
"Black advancement means the widespread promotion of human rights indiscriminately to all people regardless of race, without the deprivation of rights on the basis of race."
Elijah Schimelpfenig is from Madison, Wisconsin. In May 2022, he completed his undergraduate studies at Harvard University where he concentrated in African and African American studies. During his undergraduate career, Elijah worked in Argentina at the Museum of Modern Art in Buenos Aires, helped Ibram X. Kendi research his upcoming project “Bones of Inequity,” and wrote a prize-winning thesis documenting ArchCity Defenders’ civil litigation. In January of 2020, he went to the Philippines with the Harvard Philippines Forum for a service trip with the Stairway Foundation, a group that provides housing, education, and other resources to Philippine boys who are victims of abuse. Following his HABA internship, Elijah intends to work as an associate consultant at the Boston Consulting Group in Minneapolis and pursue a law degree. He is more than happy to chat about literature, history, or basketball when he isn’t walking his dog.
Emma-Lee Furrowh
Role: Research and Programs Intern
Organization: The Steve Fund
Workmate: Cailin L. Pryor
Year: 2022
"I want to do my part in contributing and improving the world. I know that I can make a difference. I believe that I am blessed, and I am supposed to bless others."
Emma-Lee Furrowh is from Wilmington, Delaware. She attends Hampton University where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. While at Hampton University, she participates in campus ministry, the student recruitment team, and HCS gospel choir. She has been elected to serve as ‘Miss His Chosen Sounds’ for the choir. As a high school student, she helped to launch the very first Black Culture Club, which later became the school's current Black Student Union (BSU). Emma-Lee integrates her love for Black psychology with her passion for Black liberation. She hopes to make substantial contributions that will impact and better the lives of children within the Black community. She works as a healthy living specialist at a day camp guiding children through mindfulness practice and discussions regarding mental health care. This has contributed to her decision to pursue a career in child psychology. Currently, Emma-Lee lives in Hampton, Virginia and enjoys singing, mental health advocacy, and cooking.
Jordan Taylor
Role: Communications Intern
Organization: Mehari Sequar Gallery
Workmate: Alexis Logan
Year: 2022
"I am motivated by my love for my community and gratitude to those in my community who have helped me learn more about myself. I want to impact and show love to my community in the same way it has shaped me."
Jordan Taylor is from East Orange, New Jersey. She completed her undergraduate studies at Spelman College, majoring in sociology. While at Spelman College, she participated in numerous research and volunteer opportunities surrounding maternal health and other disparities that disproportionately affect Black populations. Jordan is interested in learning alternate ways she can support her community. She is excited to learn how she can combine her love of art and passion for writing to advocate for Black artists. She lives in Atlanta and loves to paint, sew, and go on hikes.
Lailah Spicer
Role: Advocacy and Program Evaluation Intern
Organization: ArchCity Defenders
Workmate: Marianna Mitchell
Year: 2021
"Black advancement means honoring and recognizing the accomplishments of Black individuals in spite of all of the obstacles faced."
Lailah Spicer is from Monrovia, California, and has been a lifelong volunteer with various organizations. She strives to make a positive difference in the lives of those that are underrepresented and is a rising junior at Howard University, majoring in political science with a double minor in Spanish and legal communications. At Howard, she has been involved with many campus organizations such as being a deputy chair for the NAACP’s Political Action Committee. She was also a Howard University Student Association senate intern and community service chair for Jewels Incorporated, a campus organization that mentors young girls in the D.C. community. Earlier this year she was fortunate to have an internship with the Orange County Public Defenders Office in Santa Ana, CA where she gained valuable experience in criminal defense law. Lailah’s future goals are to become a civil rights or criminal defense attorney and start a nonprofit that benefits minority youth. In her free time, Lailah enjoys watching Netflix, going to the beach, and reading.
Marianna Mitchell
Role: Advocacy and Program Evaluation Intern
Organization: ArchCity Defenders
Workmate: Lailah Spicer
Year: 2021
"Black advancement means maintaining the village that has raised and carried us through multiple challenges while showcasing the excellence we possess to the world."
Marianna Mitchell is from Elberton, Georgia. She received her undergraduate degree in criminal justice and political science from Savannah State University. She received her Master of Public Administration degree from North Carolina Central University and is a rising 2L at North Carolina Central University School of Law. She chose this course of study because the criminal justice system is continuing to be used as a weapon against Black communities. She chose law not only because only 5% of lawyers are African- American, but because the Black community deserves advocates within the system who understand the challenges that they face every day. During her time at Savannah State and as president of The National Council of Negro Women, Inc., she organized a know-your-rights rally with 100 Black Men of America, Inc. to help Black communities become more informed with the law. She currently lives in Durham, NC and enjoys singing, cooking, and natural hair care.
Tameia Williams
Role: Advocacy and Communications Intern
Organization: The Education Trust
Workmate: Yemisi Badmus
Year: 2022
"Black advancement includes breaking down barriers that have kept Black people from succeeding, creating opportunities, and finding ways to ensure Black success."
Tameia Williams is from Olney, Maryland. She attends Bowie State University, majoring in psychology. She chose this course of study because she believes in order to help people, being able to understand them is the first crucial step. She has volunteered at the Children's Home, tutoring children in areas where they need the most academic-related support. Tameia assisted the counseling department at an area middle school as a co-facilitator and mentor of a group of middle school-aged girls, helping them build self-esteem and team-building skills, as well as fostering a safe space for shared experiences. Tameia enjoys reading poetry, trying out new baking recipes, and making art. Her future goal is to become part of the four percent of Black therapists in the United States.
ViaFaith McCullough
Role: Program Intern
Organization: Black Women's Health Imperative
Workmate: Eilaf FarajAllah
Year: 2021
"Black advancement means pursuing Black liberation and equipping the Black diaspora with equitable access to life, liberty, and happiness."
ViaFaith McCullough is an advocate of liberation and justice from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She recently graduated from Philander Smith College in May 2021 with a BA in political science. While at Philander Smith College, she served as the student chair of the Panther Pantry and Fresh Market, public relations coordinator of the Political Science Club, Vice-President of the Honors Students Association, S.T.A.R.S. peer success coach, Lina McCord Ambassador, Arkansas UMC Conference student intern, and a social justice institute fellow. In 2018, she served as an arts coordinator at Project Transformation, a reading literacy summer program tasked with increasing the literacy level of K-5 students. In 2020, she interned with Bread for the World as an institute racial equity and hunger intern and as an ethnic young adult intern with the General Board of Church and Society. She enjoys reading, watching indie films, and writing.
Yemisi Badmus
Role: Advocacy and Communications Intern
Organization: The Education Trust
Workmate: Tameia Williams
Year: 2022
"You're only as successful as the people around you. No one is self-made. People need a village to lift themselves up. Community is the core of each other's lives."
Yemisi Badmus is from Dallas, Texas. She completed high school in 2021, graduating from the Plano East Senior High School International Baccalaureate program. Currently, she is pursuing a bachelor's degree in sociology from Xavier University of Louisiana as a Board of Trustees scholar. Her passion is political education and she hopes to expand her own program focused on liberation politics. In her free time, she enjoys reading plays, cooking new food, and swimming.
Mbachur Mbenga
Role: Programs Intern
Organization: Black Women's Health Imperative
Workmate: Anaya Beckles
Year: 2022
"No one can do much in life without community. It is very important for every person to at least be motivated to be self-sufficient, but community is what has built nations, stood in solidarity to fight for what is right, and is the 'village' that cultivates Blackness as a culture."
Mbachur Mbenga is the eldest daughter of immigrant parents and was born and raised in Washington, DC. She completed her undergraduate studies at CUNY Brooklyn College majoring in Children and Youth Studies with a concentration in Africana Studies and recently received her Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling with a focus on mental health from The University of The District of Columbia. Mbachur has over eight years of early childhood educational support and youth advocacy experience in both New York and Washington DC, as well as ongoing support for vulnerable and at-risk youth in foster care and the juvenile justice system. Her primary focus is the collective healing of all African descendant people globally through mental health services, exposure, and advocacy. Mbachur is a food blogger and enjoys exploring restaurants all over the DMV area other cities when she travels. She also enjoys Bikram yoga, nature trails, and music.
Nia Daniels
Role: Advocacy and Communications Intern
Organization: The Education Trust
Workmate: Danielle Berry
Year: 2021
"Black advancement means bettering Black people to accomplish and go after their goals in every aspect of life."
Nia Daniels is from Kansas City, Missouri. She is currently a sophomore at Langston University, majoring in broadcast journalism and communications. She worked part-time at a Christian non-profit organization called The Hope Center of Kansas City, where she did a lot of community organizing and events that brought people together and gave them a safe place and environment. She also worked at an afterschool program sharing the gospel and connecting with kids from pre-kindergarten to 4th grade. She is a writing tutor, a member of Women of Purpose, and a part of the National Society of Leadership at Langston University.
RayVon Addison
Role: Civil Litigation Intern
Organization: ArchCity Defenders
Workmate: Elijah Schimelpfenig
Year: 2022
"Community is the best teacher; it can nurture and help a person grow into the individual they want to be."
RayVon Addison is from Kankakee, Illinois. He completed his undergraduate studies at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, majoring in legal studies with a minor in criminology. He found his interest in this course of study because he believed it would prepare him for law school in the future. At Ball State University, he worked as a resident assistant where he developed meaningful connections and facilitated educational programs for housing residents. Immediately after graduating, he worked as a paralegal at the Kankakee State’s Attorney Office in Kankakee, Illinois where he gained valuable experience in criminal law and in working with the post-conviction relief unit. During his time there, he facilitated a community program to combat the ongoing opioid crisis in Kankakee and to educate the constituents of resources that are available to them. RayVon is currently pursuing his Juris Doctor at Southern University Law Center and currently lives in Zachary, Louisiana. In his free time, he enjoys working on his car, reading, and watching movies.