Summer 2026 Racial Justice Internship

Summary 

The ACLU of Massachusetts (ACLUM) is offering an internship with its Racial Justice Program (RJP) team for the Summer of 2026. The RJ Program aims to preserve and extend civil rights and civil liberties for and to segments of the population who have historically been denied those rights on the basis of race, ethnicity, or national origin. RJP interns are responsible for research, writing, and policy advocacy support on a host of issues related to racial justice and the inequities facing people of color in the Commonwealth, including but not limited to voting rights, reproductive rights, criminal legal reform, LGBTQ+ and gender rights, and environmental justice—all with a lens toward racial equity. 

This internship is a paid opportunity that will run for 10-12 weeks, starting in mid- to late-May, with a work schedule of 20-40 hours per week. The pay rate will be $18 per hour. Interns will report to ACLUM’s Racial Justice Program Director and work with staff members across the organization, as assigned. 

Essential Duties 

• Support ACLUM’s racial justice efforts, public policy work, and advocacy campaigns through research, writing, and event support. Related activities may include participation in voter registration drives and public education events, as well as staffing ACLUM outreach tables at public events. 

• Collaborate with internal advocates, communicate with external stakeholders, and attend community meetings and events on ACLUM’s behalf, as assigned. 

• Take notes at internal and external meetings, and report learnings to the Racial Justice Program Director and the broader Field team. 

Qualifications, Experience and Attributes 

• Applicants should be current college students who will have completed their first year of school before the internship commences.  

• Strong research, writing, and organizational skills required. 

• Proficiency in Spanish, Portuguese, or Creole, a plus. 

• Demonstrated interest in and some familiarity with issues related to civil rights, civil liberties, and racial justice. 

• Comfort engaging in group settings. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as strong teamwork and collaboration abilities. 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. 

• Ability to frequently, independently, and reliably travel to various locations across Massachusetts. 

• Ability to maintain confidentiality. 

TO APPLY: Applicants for this opportunity should submit a resume, cover letter that best expresses their interest and unique qualifications, and a writing sample from a research paper wholly authored by the applicant. Applications for Summer 2026 will be accepted through April 17, 2026.