More Than an Internship: A Reflection on Leadership and Growth
During my time in the Leadership and Advocacy Certificate Program at Urban College, I completed over 90 hours as a Leadership Development Intern with Union Capital Boston. This internship was a role I intentionally created as a way to support both new and current leaders in working toward their goals, strengthening their leadership capacity, and moving forward in their aspirations.
Under the mentorship of Dennis Hicks, I gained a deeper understanding of leadership in practice. Dennis, in his role as Director of Leadership, provided guidance and mentorship that challenged me to think critically about how leadership is developed and sustained within community spaces. This experience placed me directly within leadership spaces, actively contributing rather than observing from a distance.
One of the most impactful aspects of this internship was gaining insight into the inner workings of a nonprofit organization. I participated in core team meetings led by Eric Leslie and other Union Capital leadership staff, where I observed strategic decision-making, organizational development, and community-centered leadership in action. Through the work of Shavonne Harrington, I also learned about partnership building, networking with outside organizations, and the importance of aligning values when developing collaborative relationships.
Throughout my internship, I contributed to several initiatives that supported leadership development and community engagement. I co-collaborated with a fellow intern, Madison, on the finalization and launch of the Union Capital Ambassador Program. This program recognizes members who consistently show up and embody the mission and values of Union Capital. It creates opportunities for ambassadors to support community events through purposeful volunteer roles while representing both the organization and its members.
Every other Friday, I facilitate UC Leader Co-Working Fridays on Zoom. These sessions are spaces where leaders gather to work independently while connected through music, accountability, and shared community. I also supported the UC Leadership Exchange, also known as the “Ask and Offer” space, where UC Leadership Alumni share resources, opportunities, and support. These experiences reinforced the importance of creating intentional spaces rooted in connection and mutual support.
I was also featured twice in the Leadership Lessons Blog, a platform that highlights reflections and lessons from Union Capital leaders. Through this opportunity, I was able to reflect on my own leadership journey and this also offers other leaders in the UC Leadership Community to share their leadership and learning experiences. In addition, I supported leadership trainings, including the Summer of SOL trainings for upcoming workshops. I am currently helping prepare for the Union Capital Clubs training and will also be co-facilitating the Communities of Practice training alongside Dennis.
A major area of growth for me during this internship has been facilitation, mentorship, and understanding what authentic leadership means to me. Authentic leadership, in my experience, means showing up consistently as myself in every space I enter while remaining grounded in integrity, honesty, and purpose. Through my experiences at Union Capital, I have confirmed that I naturally show up authentically in leadership spaces and create environments where people feel comfortable being themselves as well.
One particularly impactful moment was attending the leadership luncheon featuring Naeemah Elias. Her words and reflections deeply resonated with me and affirmed many of the ways I already approach leadership and community work. It was a confirming experience that helped me recognize how much I have grown, not only as a facilitator but also as a mentor and community leader.
Through this internship, I also became more aware of how I approach leadership through a community lens. I realized that my focus is less about how I personally want to show up in the community and more about understanding what the community actually needs from me. I have become more intentional in asking myself: What does the community need, and how can I help make that possible? This shift in perspective has shaped how I facilitate spaces, build programs, and engage with others.
This growth is also reflected in the work I am continuing to build outside of my internship experience. My GRASP project, Fibroids to Flowers, received funding through the Thomas J. Ruffen Fund and focuses on womb health education and advocacy. Through this project, I learned how to design and facilitate community-based initiatives while creating space for conversations around reproductive health. I also transitioned from Her Womb Essence into what is now The Sacred Womb Project, which reflects a deeper alignment with my purpose and vision moving forward.
In addition, I am preparing to launch my own Union Capital club, Women’s Health, Unfiltered, which will create intentional conversations around women’s health, advocacy, education, and lived experiences within community spaces.
Overall, this internship strengthened my understanding of leadership, facilitation, mentorship, and community-centered work. It expanded my confidence, sharpened my ability to create intentional spaces, and confirmed that leadership is not only about guiding others but about listening, evolving, and responding to the needs of the community with purpose and authenticity.
Although my internship hours have officially come to an end, I feel that I have fully immersed myself within the Union Capital leadership space and community. What began as an internship evolved into something much deeper and more meaningful for me. While my required hours may be complete, I now say that I am Dennis’s “forever intern” because I genuinely plan to continue supporting him in his role as Director of Leadership in any way I can.
This experience continues to inspire and fulfill me. It has reinforced my understanding of authentic leadership and what it truly means to thrive within community-centered work. Through this journey, I have learned that authentic leadership is not simply about holding a position, but about showing up consistently, serving with intention, and remaining deeply connected to the people and spaces you care about.