Tag: Internships

Karma Jefferson: Thank you, Birmingham Promise, for believing in students like me

Posted on May 13, 2026
My name is Karma Jefferson.

I am a 2023 graduate of George Washington Carver High School, and I am currently a junior at Alabama State University, majoring in interdisciplinary studies with minors in Psychology and Sustainability and Community.

I want to talk about the true impact that Birmingham Promise has had on my life as a student.

As an independent student who takes care of everything on my own, college has not always been easy financially. Even though I work hard, there are still times when I am left with balances or unexpected expenses. Birmingham Promise has truly helped lift that weight off of me throughout my college journey. Because of this program, I have been able to continue my education with support, encouragement, and opportunities that have changed my life.

What means the most to me is that Birmingham Promise is more than just a scholarship program. They genuinely care about their students as people. Throughout my time in the program, I have received support in so many different ways, from scholarship opportunities to personal encouragement during difficult moments.

One experience that has always stayed with me was when Mrs. Brittany McClure, who is no longer with Birmingham Promise, personally took me to H&M to help me get business attire for professional opportunities. At the time, I did not have the clothing I needed to step confidently into professional spaces. To this day, I still wear those outfits, and every time I put them on, I am reminded of how much support and belief Birmingham Promise poured into me.

I have also been blessed to receive additional opportunities through the program, including the HBCU Spring Scholarship, which came from the hard work and community service I have continued doing both within Birmingham Promise and on my own. That support reminded me that my efforts do not go unnoticed and that giving back to the community truly matters.

I also want to recognize my success coach, Mr. Glenn, for constantly encouraging and motivating students like me to keep pushing forward. One thing I truly appreciate is how he, along with Birmingham Promise as a whole, makes sure to highlight and bring awareness to the accomplishments of their students. Whether it is academics, internships, leadership, community service, or personal growth, they make students feel seen, valued, and celebrated. Having people who genuinely recognize your hard work and want to see you succeed makes a huge difference, especially during moments when college can feel overwhelming.

In addition to being a scholar, I had the amazing opportunity to become the first intern to work in the downtown Birmingham Promise office. Going into that experience, I was nervous because I did not fully know what to expect in a professional corporate environment. But through that internship, I gained so much confidence in myself.

I learned how to manage my time, balance multiple tasks, communicate professionally, and adapt quickly in fast-paced environments. I worked with student data systems, communicated with students daily, helped resolve issues, and learned the behind-the-scenes operations that help programs like Birmingham Promise continue running successfully.

Most importantly, this internship helped me realize that I belong in those spaces. It helped me build confidence, meaningful connections, and professional skills that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

As I prepare to enter my senior year of college, I can honestly say Birmingham Promise has played a huge role in my journey and my success. This program has invested not only in my education but also in me as a person.

To Birmingham Promise, thank you for believing in students like me, supporting us beyond the classroom, and creating opportunities that truly change lives.

Huffman graduate starts third year at Auburn, continues march to career in cancer research

Posted on October 20, 2025

Sparked by his maternal grandfather’s death, Markelle Scott developed a passion early on for a career in cancer research. Birmingham Promise helped put him on a path to make that dream come true.

When he was a senior at Huffman High School, Markelle got an early career boost as a Birmingham Promise intern in an oncology lab at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB. “It was a very great experience that introduced me to the basics of cancer research,” Scott said in his valedictory address at Huffman. “Through the Birmingham Promise internship, I’ve had a head start in pursuing my career”

As he headed to Auburn University, Birmingham Promise also helped him with tuition and other support on his journey toward a degree in biomedical sciences. Now in his junior year, Markelle has continued to build on the opportunities he received and to make progress toward his goals.

Starting his freshman year, he began working as an undergraduate research assistant studying metastatic melanoma in Auburn’s College of Pharmacy. He’s now entering his third year in the job.

This past summer, he completed a summer internship at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. After applying for the program and being accepted, Markelle worked as a research fellow at the Anschutz Medical Campus from May to August, focusing on thyroid cancer that has become resistant to treatments.

In 2023, Markelle was among the first cohort of students interviewed and selected to be part of Auburn’s Melton Scholars Program, which not only offers financial assistance to outstanding students but also supports their academic achievement, professional development and overall success on campus and beyond.

The program is named for 1988 Auburn graduate Harold Melton, a former Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court and Auburn’s first Black student body president. Through it, Markelle is part of an impressive peer group and a unique network of advisors who are invested in his success.

For Markelle, though, assistance is a two-way street; he also seizes opportunities to provide help to his peers. He currently works on campus as a learning assistant, a job that allows him to help fellow students in Calculus I understand and apply the content.

Markelle encourages students to take advantage of all the resources that are available to them. If they’re a Birmingham Promise student, that means ongoing coaching and other supports. Even if they’re not with Birmingham Promise, on-campus tutoring and a wide range of other supports can help students get through rough patches.

Markelle is not shy in saying he’s been on both sides of providing – and needing — help. “I’ve had my high points and low points,” he said. As his classes have gotten more advanced and more challenging – physics is currently his hardest course – Markelle has been proactive in taking steps to stay on top of his studies.

It would be easy to look at his academic and career accomplishments and think Markelle is all work and no play. But he says that’s not the case. He lives off-campus in an apartment with two roommates, and he finds time to spend time with his friends and pursue interests outside of academics and career. He also leads a small group with one of his friends, a space where he and his friends read, interpret, and discuss the Bible.

“In college, it’s a very big thing to find a good balance,” he said. “College burnout is real. If you don’t take time to do things for yourself – enjoying a hobby or having fun with your friends – you can lose your identity. You must keep doing the things that make you who you are.”

Finding that balance has not deterred Markelle one bit from his goals.

Although he at one time considered medical school, and he may yet go that route, his current goal is to keep working toward a Ph.D. in cancer biology or molecular biology – and his dream career in cancer research.

“I definitely made the right decision in choosing this path,” Markelle said.

Birmingham Promise receives $1 million in CAFE Group’s Luminary Awards

Posted on September 18, 2025

Birmingham Promise Executive Director Samantha Williams has won a national award that will provide $1 million to support scholarship and internship programs for students at Birmingham City Schools.

The CAFE Group announced today that Williams is among five winners of this year’s 1954 Project Luminary Award, which goes to leaders at organizations that are working to transform educational outcomes in Black communities.

“This recognition is a tremendous honor for Samantha, and it is a true reflection of the caliber of leadership she has provided for Birmingham Promise,” said Danny McKinney, chairman of the Birmingham Promise board of directors. “We are proud of this award and grateful to The CAFE Group for supporting and helping us uphold the vision of Birmingham Promise.”

Named for the year of the Brown v. Board of Education decision, The 1954 Project is The CAFE Group’s flagship initiative dedicated to fulfilling the promise of equitable education in the United States. Its Luminary Award winners receive $1 million in unrestricted funding for their programs and join a network of innovators transforming education across the country.  https://www.thecafe.org/meet-the-2025-luminaries

“These leaders represent the breadth of innovation happening across the education ecosystem,” said Tiffany Thompson, Chief Impact Officer of The CAFE Group. “Together, this new class strengthens the infrastructure for lasting change and pushes us closer to a future where educational opportunity clears the way for every child to thrive.”

Williams said she is thrilled to be included among this year’s winners, and she is especially thankful for a significant investment that will help Birmingham Promise increase the number of college graduates from Birmingham City Schools, provide students with pathways for good jobs and meaningful careers, and sustain Birmingham Promise programs going forward.

“It is an incredible honor to be selected as a Luminary,” Williams said. “This is a testament to how powerfully our mission and students’ achievements resonate, reaching national donors who have hundreds of organizations and leaders to choose from. I couldn’t be more excited for this partnership and the support and opportunities it will provide.”

Birmingham Promise covers up to four years of tuition in public Alabama colleges and universities for all Birmingham City Schools graduates. To date, Promise has provided more than $15 million in tuition assistance to more than 1,600 graduates of Birmingham City Schools. It has also provided internships to more than 350 Birmingham City Schools seniors to allow them to build career networks and job skills

Applications for Birmingham Promise scholarships and for spring internships will open Oct. 1 for current seniors at Birmingham City Schools.

 About Birmingham Promise: 

Birmingham Promise provides up to four years of tuition assistance for graduates of Birmingham City Schools who attend public colleges and universities in Alabama. It also manages a paid internship program that allows high school seniors to build valuable work experience. For more information on Birmingham Promise, visit http://www.birminghampromise.org/ or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

About The CAFE Group:

The CAFE Group is a nonprofit reimagining how philanthropy operates. They invest in visionary leaders, early-career talent, and the infrastructure of social change, aligning capital, growing networks, and cultivating love as a strategy for lasting impact. To learn more, visit https://www.thecafe.org.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama highlights Birmingham Promise intern

Posted on April 30, 2025

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is one of our foundational partners, hosting six Birmingham Promise interns since 2020 and donating $2 million to our programs. Recently, the company shared a story about the intern it hosted this semester, Wenonah senior Rayne Miller.

“Rayne (brought) a fresh perspective to our communication campaigns,” said Denise McFadden, a Human Resources Department Manager. “By hiring these interns, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is not only investing in the future workforce but also showing a commitment to the community.”

Click here to read the full story, and join us in saying thanks to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama!

IMC Financial: Honor to guide interns on journey to adulthood

Posted on April 4, 2025

IMC Financial Consulting was proud to be among the very first companies to welcome a Birmingham Promise intern when the program began in 2019. Since then, the company has continued to participate in Birmingham Promise, hosting interns and contributing to its mission year after year. It’s been an incredibly rewarding journey, the company said.

“Birmingham Promise is a remarkable program that unites an entire community to support the dreams of our young people,” said Isaac Cooper, IMC’s founding partner. “I am proud to be part of its mission.”

IMC Financial Consulting began in 2016, and it provides tailored education, tools and expert financial guidance to individuals across all levels of wealth, but with a particular focus on guiding those at lower income levels, which aligns well with the work of Birmingham Promise.

“At IMC Financial Consulting, exposure is one of the three core pillars driving our mission,” Cooper said. “We saw the Birmingham Promise apprenticeship as a perfect opportunity to live out that value in a meaningful way. Our goal was twofold: to give our interns a front-row seat to best practices in business, relationship-building, and problem-solving, while also gaining valuable insight into their perspectives—the challenges they face and the fresh, innovative solutions they bring. It’s a two-way street that enriches both our team and the next generation of talent.”

Interns who work with IMC Financial get exposure to entrepreneurship and community impact.

“They will learn to manage their time, resources, and relationships to achieve goals within a team environment that requires initiative and fosters connections with people from diverse backgrounds,” Cooper said. “Ultimately, I hope interns will envision themselves and recognize the possibilities for their future through every opportunity and experience IMC Financial Consulting provides.”

Among other things, interns at IMC Financial Consulting have produced and curated original content focused on financial literacy from a Gen Z perspective by interviewing their peers through engaging games and discussions.

“These videos showcase our interns’ creativity, joyful personalities, research skills, and ability to use their voices while creating space for others to share theirs,” Cooper said. “It has been an honor to mentor and guide our interns on their journey to adulthood, and it has been gratifying to learn from them and witness their growth in new skills and opportunities.”

Birmingham City Council interns have chance to explore government career options

Posted on April 4, 2025

The Birmingham City Council has a long history of hosting student interns, but it is in its second semester of partnering with Birmingham Promise. Having hosted eight Promise interns last semester and five this semester, the Birmingham City Council says it can see mutual benefits of working with a constituency group that deserves attention.

“These students have excelled in the classroom as evidenced by their grades and college scholarship offers, so working here allows us to show them what service looks like, the broad range of career opportunities that are available, and hopefully lead some of them to find their place in government, as an employee or elected official,” said Jeffery McDaniels, deputy council administrator for the city.

The Birmingham City Council is the legislative branch of Birmingham city government, and it is made up of nine council members elected from districts across the city. The councilors work closely with the mayor’s office, city staff and other municipal leaders to address a wide range of issues affecting Birmingham residents and businesses.

An internship with the council gives students a chance to see how city government works and to see the opportunities that exist for public service. However, the goal is to give the students something that will serve them throughout their careers, whatever the future holds.

“We want the students to have a better understanding of municipal government at the conclusion of the internship, a challenging, yet memorable professional experience, and to know that we are committed to helping them realize their dreams,” McDaniels said.

Jefferson County presiding judge helps interns gain insights into daily work life

Posted on April 4, 2025

Elisabeth French has served as a Jefferson County Circuit Judge since 2010, and in 2020, she became the first female presiding judge of the 10th Judicial Circuit, a leadership role she continues to play.

For the past two years, she has also hosted interns from Birmingham Promise.

“I want to support the city’s programs that are designed to influence our next generation of leaders and responsible citizens,” Judge French said.

She believes high school students have much to gain from spending time in a professional setting, including a judicial office like hers.

“I want the interns to see the inner workings of leadership,” Judge French said. “I want them to have insight into what day to day life looks like after high school, college and graduate studies, from daily decision making and establishing professional relationships to accountability.”

Circuit courts in Alabama have jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases, and Judge French’s 10th Judicial Circuit is the largest in the state.  As Presiding Judge, she supervises the circuit and district courts in Jefferson County, but she also presides over trials and has resolved thousands of cases.

Despite her professional expertise, Judge French believes she has something to learn from interns as well. “My office benefits from having a fresh perspective from a new generation of leaders,” she said.

Dunn Construction Co. fosters ‘next generation of talent’ through Promise internship program

Posted on April 4, 2025

Dunn Construction Co. is a new partner for Birmingham Promise, and it is hosting its first intern this semester.

“We feel it is important to serve our communities and youth by making them aware of the employment opportunities we provide,” said Amber Kinney, vice president of Human Resources for Dunn.

Dunn is part of the oldest contracting businesses in the U.S. It was founded in Virginia in 1878 as a railroad construction company. In the early 1900s, Dunn moved its headquarters to Birmingham, where the company undertook the construction of a tunnel through Red Mountain, which for years served as the young city’s sole fresh water piping source from the Cahaba River.

Today, the company is honored to be a part of the Birmingham Promise program and to contribute to its mission.

“We hope our interns gain meaningful hands-on experience, develop professional skills, and build relationships that will support their career growth,” Kinney said. “In turn, our company benefits by fostering the next generation of talent and gaining fresh perspectives that enhance our work environment.”

The partnership is aligned with the larger values and legacy of the company.

“Service to our customers, employees, communities, and shareholders is the foundation of our business,” Kinney said. “In that service, we deeply value honesty, excellence, and continuous improvement, and we commit to working together fairly and, most importantly, safely — holding these values for the common good.”

Birmingham Water Works offers real-life work experience to Promise interns

Posted on April 3, 2025

Founded in 1951, Birmingham Water Works serves nearly 770,000 people in Jefferson, Shelby, Blount, St. Clair, and Walker counties. Since 2023, it has provided internships to Birmingham Promise students, hosting five high school seniors every spring.

“This gives us an opportunity to engage in the community and show our support to the city of Birmingham,” said Jeremy D. Ervin, who is the workforce development administrator for Birmingham Water Works and a graduate of Birmingham City Schools. “There were a lot of people who poured into me when I was in high school, but nothing like this where students can get real-life work experiences.”

Birmingham Water Works wants to make sure its interns get that real-life experience in areas ranging from customer service to compliance and beyond. “These kids are super smart,” Ervin said.  “By the time the students complete their internship with us, we want them to go into the workforce prepared, not only with the core competencies but for the work itself.”

However, soft skills are a key focus. Once a week, interns email Ervin to share what they’ve learned. It’s not just a feel-good exercise, but one that gives Birmingham Water Works a chance to assess and hone students’ workplace communications skills, which will help them succeed in any career.

 “We especially love when the interns come back to pursue additional opportunities with us, including Birmingham Promise students who have come back to work summers as college interns,” Ervin said. “We see this as a potential recruiting pipeline for us. Our interns can become great ambassadors for the work we do.”