Emerging Black talent: The ad industry needs you. Join us this summer. Apply by March 3!

Click here to apply today

Emerging Black talent: The ad industry needs you.
Join us this summer. Apply by March 1.

BUILDING LEADERS AND CREATORS

An advertising agency internship community

The world is missing out on immeasurable creativity when Black talent isn’t seen or heard.

Our Mission

To bring more Black people into advertising, ensuring they can fully express themselves, find community,
and ultimately lead.

Our Vision

Today, the advertising industry. Tomorrow, the creative and professional world at large. Wherever there is opportunity and lack of diversity, we seek to create change.

A brightly colored and layered photo of a Black woman looking off into the distance.

What is BLAC?

BLAC is a twelve-week, paid internship for creative thinkers that takes place at ad agencies across the country. Interns participate in shared experiences with shared resources and projects, and upon completion of the program become part of a network of peers and agency leaders who will continue to provide support throughout their careers. We are a champion for the more diverse and inclusive advertising industry of the future and seek to inspire and be inspired by a new generation of Black talent. BLAC is committed to providing safe and comfortable environments where all voices are respected and heard.

BLAC in 2024

May 20 - August 9, 2024
Education + Inspiration + Experience + Community

Intro Week: May 20 - 24 (1 week)
The national intern cohort gathers virtually for a week of programming aimed to introduce them to advertising, agency roles, and countless Black leaders in the industry.

In Agency: May 28 - July 24 (8 ½ weeks)
Interns get to work in their host agency, training in their role, participating in meetings, listening in on client calls, and helping with pitches to gain exposure and hands-on experience. BLAC staff gathers the national cohort 2 to 3 times a week, virtually, for continued professional development and community-building experiences.

Pitch Project: July 25 - August 2 (1 ½ weeks)
The interns are briefed by P&G brand reps. Working in teams, they’ll develop and pitch their creative concepts to leading national brands.

Career Fair: August 5 - 9 (1 week)
Two full days of workshops, guest speakers, and work time for final resume and portfolio tweaks help prep the cohort to enter interviews and info sessions with hiring agencies and brands participating in BLAC’s Career Fair.

*Observed holidays fall on May 27, June 19, and July 4
*Dates and timeline subject to change

Black and white portrait of a young adult Black man wearing large glasses and a hoodie.Black fist punching towards the camera.Dark and moody portrait of a Black man that has been cropped from his nose to his chin.

How to Apply

Intern applications for the 2024 summer program are now closed. Interested in being part of our 2025 cohort? Follow BLAC on social media and watch for updates.

  • Be a member of a group underrepresented in advertising and marketing, including those who identify as Black or BIPOC.
  • Be at least 18 years of age by the start of the summer program.
  • Be based in the United States.
  • Be fully available for the 12 weeks of the summer program, and able to commit 29 hours each week during standard business hours.

    *Accommodations will be made for students finishing the spring semester during the first weeks of the program.
  • Be a creative thinker and problem solver! This can mean many things. You might be artistically driven, like a writer or designer. Perhaps you’re more strategically creative, thinking two steps ahead and forecasting trends. Maybe you aim your creativity at navigating relationships, quick to offer solutions to keep everyone aligned and collaborating. All types of creativity are welcome!

To apply

  • Create a two-ish minute video showing and/or telling what makes you a creative thinker and problem solver.
  • Submit your video, along with application responses, by the March 1, 2024 deadline.
APPLY NOW

Want more info? Learn more about the program and application process here, or reach out to submissions@blacinternship.org.

Shadowy portrait of a Black woman that fades into a black background.

When It's Happening:

May 9 - July 29, 2022

2024 Host Agencies

National

Advantage Unified Commerce

advantageunifiedcommerce.com

Anomaly

anomaly.com

Barker

barkernyc.com

BarkleyOKRP

barkleyokrp.com

Barrett Hofherr

barretthofherr.com

Boundless Life Sciences Group

boundlesslife.com

Civic Entertainment Group

civic-us.com

Cornett

teamcornett.com

Fallon

fallon.com

Fitzco

fitzco.com

Hanson Dodge

hansondodge.com

Imagination

imagination.com

Johannes Leonardo

johannesleonardo

Madwell

madwell.com

Momentum Worldwide

momentumww.com

Moosylvania

moosylvania.com

Pereira O'Dell

pereiraodell.com

Preacher

preacher.co

Saatchi & Saatchi

wearesaatchi.com

Unlock Health

unlockhealthnow.com

Where the Buffalo Roam

wtbr.tv

YARD NYC

yardnyc.com

East

South

Midwest

Staff

Nicolet Gatewood - Headshot

Nicolet Gatewood
Executive Director

Emily Elyshevitz
Program Director

Jaydin Geer
Operations & Program Coordinator + 2021 BLAC Alum

Board of Directors

Archie Bell, IIArchie Bell, II
Principal, Weirdeaux
Patrick BennettPatrick Bennett
Executive Creative Director, Momentum Worldwide
Paulo CarvajalPaulo Carvajal
Chief Strategy Officer & Head of Innovation, Noble People
Asmirh DavisAsmirh Davis
Founding Partner & Chief Strategy Officer, Majority
Nicolet GatewoodNicolet Gatewood
Executive Director, BLAC
Christy HilerChristy Hiler
President & Owner, Cornett
Toni LeeToni Lee
President, TL Communications
Ashley Richardson-GeorgeAshley Richardson-George
Partner & Chief Content Officer, Circus Maximus
Avigail SchlosserAvigail Schlosser
Chief Financial Officer, OKRP
Justina SmithJustina Smith
Account Supervisor, ATTN: + 2022 BLAC Alum
Chris WitherspoonChris Witherspoon
President & CEO, DNA

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who can apply to BLAC?

You! If you’re a creative thinker, a problem solver, a writer, an artist, a strategist, a storyteller, you have a place here.

Do I need to be a marketing/advertising major?

No. We know talent comes from everywhere, and everyone is welcome to apply, regardless of background or age. Our camp week is designed to help everyone get up to speed and ready to jump into the workflow of an agency for the rest of the internship.

Do I need agency experience?

Nope. See above. This is your chance to get agency experience. We all start somewhere.

Is this remote or in person?

Our plan for 2022 is to hold our internship primarily remote, but give opportunities to come together IRL, when possible.

Is this paid?

Absolutely. Each agency will set their own pay rate, but every hour of the program will be paid.

What do I need to do to apply?

Create a two(ish)-minute MP4 video showing and/or telling what makes you a creative thinker and problem solver. Then email your MP4 video to submissions@blacinternship.com by March 18. In your email, please be sure to include following: your full name, phone number, city you'll be living in (or closest to) during the dates of the internship and let us know how you heard about the program.

We will accept submissions until March 18. We will review applications and conduct interviews the last two weeks of March.

Do I have to apply to a specific agency?

Yes. The city where you live matters because—even though we are mostly remote—each agency will be "hosting" a certain number of interns. Interns will be placed in the agencies closest to their residence.

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Join the Community

Join the Community

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Want to support BLAC as an agency or brand? Email nicolet@blacinternship.org