Previous Interns

Summer 2001 Interns
Demetrius is a senior History Major and African-American Studies Minor at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. During winter break at his home in Chicago, where he was born and raised, he found a link on the Internet to the MLK Papers Project while doing some research on King. He has been studying different periods of the African experience in America and is excited to help preserve the legacy of one of the most important Civil Rights Leaders in the history of America. His major contribution to the MLK Papers is a day to day chronology of MLK.
Eric is soon to be in his first year as a Grad student at the University of Washington. His area will be China Studies with a focus on nonviolent revolutions in China. He has been studying the Civil Rights struggle for quite some time and has been involved with a number of grassroots organizations still fighting for many of the issues King addressed over 30 years ago (especially those issues emphasized in King's last years). His focus on King's nonviolent tactics, and his deepening interest in what still could come from that foundation, have brought him here to the Project. "And what an amazing breadth of scope, and immense depth of knowledge, they have shown for the subject matter!"
Jedediah is from Portland, Oregon, and will be a Senior English major next year at Stanford University. He took a class taught by Professor Carson and heard about the opportunity to work at the project, and he worked for the project throughout last year.
Jessica, a native of Shreveport, Louisiana, is a senior history major at Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana. With an interest in studying black leadership models and the continuing black liberation struggle, interning with the King Papers Project served as an invaluable experience. After graduation, she plans on pursuing a Ph.D. in African American Studies.
Kate is from Philadelphia, PA and currently a senior majoring in History at Stanford University. She became involved in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers Project through Professor Carson's class, "The Modern Black Freedom Struggle," during the spring quarter of her sophomore year. She has enjoyed the work and the people at the Project and has been working there ever since.
Kristin is a junior, majoring in History and Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity, at Stanford University. She has worked at the King Papers Project since the spring of her freshman year. Kristin has always had an interest in the history of the Civil Rights Movement, particularly the interactions between white and black activists and how they changed over time. Working at the Project has been an excellent way to become immersed in the history of the movement through dealing with primary documents related to Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement in general
Originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, Tim attended Ball State University (BS), Howard University (MA) and University of Notre Dame (MA). In the fall he'll be a second year Ph.D. student in the American Culture Studies Program at Bowling Green State University, Ohio. His research interest is in African American political thought. He is hoping to bring King's relio-political thinking into dialogue with that of contemporary scholar - Cornel West. Studying in the midwest presents a logistical challenge to anyone wanting to work with primary King resources, however, the summer internship with the King Papers Project allows him the exposure to primary documents and the connection with King scholars.

Quotes from Previous Interns

The King Papers Project provided for me a crucial combination of research experience, emotional support and financial help during my six years at Stanford. Without the support of the Project, I may not have completed my Ph.D. The experience of working on the project with established scholars and with peers kept me going through graduate school.

Leslie Harris
Assistant Professor of History
Emory University

My internship at the project has been a highly significant part of my undergraduate education, giving me valuable opportunities to develop my research skills and learn about a period of utmost significance for American history. The training I received prepared me well for my subsequent activities ranging form working as a research assistant on the Blackside, Inc. film documentary, "Malcom X: Make it Plain," to conducting voter education seminars in South Africa.

Andre Namphy
Oxford University
Rhodes Scholar

Working at the King Papers Project legitimized my interest in African-American history and culture as well as my belief in social justice. The staff and students provided crucial support and encouragement. The King Papers Project introduced me to other students, both undergraduate and graduate, who shared my interests.

Amy Whitcomb
Elementary school teacher
Long Beach, CA