Morgan State students chosen for inaugural Black 2 San Francisco Summer Internship Initiative

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This summer, Morgan State University students will participate in the inaugural “Black 2 San Francisco” (BS2F) initiative led by the San Francisco Human Rights Commission (HRC).

BS2F was launched to establish a centralized space for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to recruit, provide courses and host students in San Francisco. As participants of the initiative’s first cohort, seven students from Morgan State were selected for a six-week paid summer internship in San Francisco.

BS2F’s main objective is to enhance the professional development and career opportunities for HBCU students studying in San Francisco while also exposing local resident youth to HBCU programming. This effort is part of a broader strategy by San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed and other city leaders to revitalize the city’s economic core.

The long-term plan includes incorporating satellite HBCU academic campuses, offices, and student housing in the downtown area and offering top-notch academic and professional programs. In all, 60 scholars from 20 HBCUs nationwide are participating in this experiential learning initiative, which runs through July 25.

The internship consists of seminars with guest lecturers and provides opportunities for participating students to explore diverse cultural experiences in San Francisco. This will ultimately help to expand the talent pool for San Francisco employers and create new partnerships for higher education institutions in the San Francisco area.

The students work on various projects focused on community engagement and research. They are also involved in professional and academic programs with industry leaders, practitioners, and educators. Additionally, students get to explore the city’s culture and resources. The program prioritizes agriculture and urban farming learning opportunities, a multilayered approach to Black Joy, education and literacy, journalism and media, startup entrepreneurship and STEM programs.

The Morgan students participating in the summer program are:

• Eneesa Abdullah-Hudson – senior, elementary education major
• Emmanuel Adeleke – sophomore, computer science major
• Evelyn Adome – junior, business administration major
• Sade Morris – sophomore, strategic communication major
• Victoria Studevent – senior, marketing major
• Malcolm Mobley – senior, electrical and computer engineering major
• Carlona Brevard – sophomore, political science major

The University of San Francisco is providing the students with housing accommodations, San Francisco State University is offering the classroom space, and the University of California at San Francisco is partnering with the HBCUs to expand mental health mentoring, training, and internships. In addition to receiving pay for their involvement, participating students also received a transportation stipend.

At the conclusion of the program, a select group of students will present their findings at the San Francisco Foundation for local and regional stakeholders. Additionally, all participants will showcase their work and findings at a closing program on July 26.