Summer Policy Intern

Summer Policy Intern

Black Connect | July–August 2026 | Remote | Unpaid / Academic Credit Eligible

Black Connect is seeking a Policy Intern to support outreach for its civil access policy initiative focused on expanding access to civil courts for small business owners and closely held business entities.

This is a short-term summer internship ideal for a student interested in public policy, law, nonprofit advocacy, government relations, civil justice, entrepreneurship, racial equity, or Black economic development.

Responsibilities

• Research organizations, bar associations, legal access groups, small business organizations, elected officials, policy offices, and aligned civic leaders that may be appropriate recipients for Black Connect’s policy materials.
• Assist with outreach to entrepreneurs and small business owners affected by court access barriers, including those whose businesses were unable to appear or proceed in court without attorney representation, and help organize their experiences for internal policy tracking and advocacy purposes.
• Develop and maintain a policy outreach mailing list for both hard-copy mailings and email submissions.
• Organize contacts by category, including bar associations, access-to-justice organizations, small business organizations, legal nonprofits, political representatives, judiciary-related offices, and potential institutional allies.
• Draft submission language using approved Black Connect messaging.
• Track when policy materials are emailed, mailed, submitted through website forms, or otherwise delivered.
• Assist with follow-up tracking and notes regarding responses, referrals, or future outreach opportunities.
• Help identify opportunities to submit the policy to committees, task forces, access-to-justice initiatives, bar association sections, and small business advocacy groups.

Ideal Candidate

This role is ideal for students interested in law, public policy, political science, government relations, nonprofit advocacy, civil justice, entrepreneurship, Black economic development, or legal access issues.

Strong candidates should be organized, research-oriented, detail-focused, and able to communicate professionally. This role is especially well suited for students considering law school, policy work, legislative affairs, nonprofit leadership, or advocacy.

Time Commitment

Approximately 5–10 hours per week from July through August, with the option to continue into the fall semester.

About the Project

Black Connect’s Federal Civil Access Standard is policy initiative is an extension of Black Connect's Small Business Legal Services Program. The initiative is part of Black Connect’s broader work to strengthen legal access, entrepreneurship, and Black economic development. View the policy at https://www.blackconnect.org/policy