The Institute for Responsible Citizenship

What makes the Washington Program at The Institute for Responsible Citizenship so impactful? The programming. Institute scholars attend private briefings with some of the nation’s most prominent public and private sector leaders as part of their two summer experience. Do you want to be a part of the conversation? Apply today for summer 2022.

Louis Laine, Institute for Responsible Citizenship class of 2015, and Justin Edwards, class of 2018, have been admitted to Harvard Law School. If they both enroll in the fall, they will join three other Institute alumni at the prestigious institution. Laine is a native of Newark, NJ and a graduate of Swarthmore College. Edwards, of Lafayette, LA, attended Howard University. Both were recipients of the prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholarship as undergraduates.

Alumni of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship include lawyers, a judge, doctors, pastors, professors and teachers, doctors, and other professions. They are some of the nation’s best and brightest African American men.  Learn more at www.theinstitute.net

On Monday, William Keyes hosted an orientation session for new staff members at the Institute for Responsible Citizenship. Standing with Keyes are Andrew Mulinge of the University of Maryland and New York University (L.)) and Coin Ganges of Guilford College (R). Seated are Inga Thompson of Lynn University and Lola Wood of Spelman College and Boston University (R). Mulinge is responsible for programs, Ganges for alumni relations, Thompson for administration, and Wood for communications. The Institute is preparing for its twentieth summer training some of America’s best and brightest African American male college students to do extraordinary things. This summer’s class will join a network that includes Rhodes and Fulbright Scholars, PhD’s and MD’s, and the recipients of numerous prestigious awards.

Jovan Sheshbaradaran is a junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he double-majors in Business Administration and Political Science. On campus, he is a member of Carolina’s honors program, a Student Leadership Coordinator, and a peer mentor. This summer Jovan served as a lending intern for the National Housing Trust, a non-profit engaged in the preservation of affordable housing through public policy advocacy, real estate development, and lending. After college, Jovan plans to explore career paths in corporate finance and urban planning before pursuing his MBA. His hometown is Belmont, North Carolina.

“This summer I had the opportunity to intern within the lending department at the National Housing Trust, and I thoroughly enjoyed this experience. Being interested in urban planning, I had always wanted to deepen my understanding of affordable housing development and learn more about how these projects are financed. Interning at the National Housing Trust was a perfect way for me to learn more about this field. Not only did I see firsthand how affordable housing was developed throughout the country, but I was actively engaged in the process. Throughout the summer, I wrote a research paper on potential financing tools to support ADU development, interviewed employees at HUD to discuss their new budget, and even attended loan agreements with affordable housing developers across the country. Overall, I really enjoyed working at the National Housing Trust, and I am excited to announce that I have been extended an offer to continue my internship with them throughout the upcoming school year.

Garvey Goulbourne is a third year at the University of Virginia where he double majors in Foreign Affairs and Global Development Studies. This summer he is interning with the International Career Advancement Program Fellows Association (ICAPFA), a non-profit alumni association supporting diverse professionals in international affairs careers. Garvey hopes to pursue a career in foreign service and potentially work with the United Nations. His hometown is Roswell, Georgia

"This summer, I've been working with ICAPFA to further their mission of improving diversity in foreign affairs. This work is extremely critical as we strive to make our foreign policy initiatives more representative of our demographics at home. ICAPFA achieves this by supporting alumni with workshops, trainings, and professional advancement and networking opportunities, as well as opportunities for advocacy, and hosting events and panels on a range of issues featuring speakers from across sectors. This experience has connected me with professionals in a variety of government agencies and departments, as well as with prominent think tanks, nonprofits, and private sector entities. I have learned a lot about how different actors play key roles in U.S. foreign policy, and my internship has provided a perfect avenue for me to navigate career pathways."

Alton Coston, III is a junior at the College of William & Mary, where he is both a Jackie Robinson Foundation and William & Mary Scholar. Majoring in Public Policy and Africana Studies, Alton is also a member of William & Mary's Student Undergraduate Research Experience program. This summer with the Institute he is conducting research on Black autobiography and its historical effectiveness in influencing American politics, with a specific focus on the Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley. Following graduation, Alton intends to begin a career in public service. His hometown is Richmond, Virginia.

"This summer I am grateful for the opportunity to simply engage with an array of Black literature that has been instrumental in shaping my sociopolitical thinking. As someone who has struggled with the issues of my identity, the research project that the Institute has allowed me to partake in this summer has enabled me to wrestle with the intersecting ambivalence of race, power, and politics in America. Furthermore, studying Malcolm X’s autobiography has amplified qualities that I seek to hone in myself as a young man entering the political realm — his recurring spurts of self-creation, the affirmative messages of unembellished self-respect and reliance, discipline, communal responsibility, solidarity, and uncompromising pursuit of truth and justice."

Ron Hall is a junior at New York University, where he is a Presidential Honors Scholar and majors in Politics with minors in Economics, Public Policy, and American Sign Language. This summer, he is interning at the law firm Epstein, Becker, & Green. Ron aspires to attend law school and pursue a career in law. His hometown is Dallas, Texas.

“This summer, I have the immense pleasure of interning at the law firm Epstein, Becker, & Green, a national law firm with a primary focus on health care and employment. Working alongside one of the partners at the firm, I am obtaining world-class legal instruction and mentorship that will better equip me to navigate the legal space. I have prepared summary memos, reviewed case documents, and attend briefings. This experience has far exceeded my expectations, and I am very grateful to the Institute for affording me with this opportunity.”

Zachary Harper is a rising junior from Detroit, Michigan studying accounting at Indiana University where he is a Prebys scholar and serves as a member of the Dean’s undergraduate council for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. This summer Zachary is working with the Detroit branch of Ernst & Young as a Launch Intern. Zachary plans to explore career paths in accounting & finance and eventually pursue his MBA or CPA. Zachary is a Select Equity Scholar for the Institute.

“This summer I am interning with Ernest & Young as a Launch intern. As a Launch intern I rotate between tax as well as financial services where I conduct audit for a different engagement team every week. This summer I have worked on form control testing, OAR planning, financial record reconciliation, and more. This has been the most amazing summer experience in every way. Not only am I honored to meet high achieving black men in a multitude of industries, but I am also honored to be around young talented black men all working towards achieving their dreams and pushing me to achieve mine. I can’t wait to do it all again next summer with the Institute.

Kellin McGowan is a rising third year at the University of Chicago, where he double majors in Economics and Spanish. This summer he is interning at Every Campus a Refuge (ECAR), a refugee resettlement nonprofit. After graduation, he plans to attend law school and become an immigration attorney.

“This summer, I am interning for Every Campus a Refuge, researching the region-specific factors contributing to an individual’s decision to leave their country. I’ve explored how political and social institutions within and outside of countries such as Afghanistan and Eritrea have led to the mass departure of people who eventually become refugees. I cannot express how grateful I am to the Institute for providing me with this informative, life-changing opportunity; because of this organization, I have an internship that will leave me well prepared for my future in immigration law.”

It was an honor to the meet Secretary Austin earlier this summer. We think the scholars will remember this moment for years to come

Sam Timmons is a rising senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he double-majors in History and Philosophy. His hometown is Raleigh, North Carolina. On campus, Sam serves as Vice Chair of the Undergraduate Honor Court. This summer, he is interning on Capitol Hill in the Office of Congresswoman Deborah Ross. In connection with the Institute last summer, he published a research paper titled "The Impact of Federal Court Rulings on Pupil Assignment and School Demographics in Wake and Mecklenburg Counties in North Carolina." Sam plans to attend law school and pursue a career in constitutional or employment law.

“This summer, I have had the opportunity to intern on Capitol Hill with my Congresswoman, Deborah Ross. It is eye-opening to learn about the considerations that go into the policymaking process and witness firsthand the manner in which government functions. I have cherished the ability to walk these halls and to learn about policymaking as a “fly on the wall.” I have had the opportunity to engage with constituents directly and provide support to our legislative staff, with a focus on Judiciary Committee issues. I have written letters to constituents, researched and compiled bills concerning veterans’ affairs, and drafted remarks for the Congresswoman. I have appreciated the diverse tasks I have been engaged”

Christian James Terry-Taylor is a senior at Morehouse College, studying sociology and Africana studies with a minor in economics. Christian serves as a member and President of Morehouse’s Honors Program and is a part of Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Kappa Delta, and Morehouse’s Track team. His hometown is Hempstead, New York. This summer, Christian is a fellow with the Moore Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (MURAP), where he is completing a historical HBCU education policy analysis. Following Christian’s graduation in May, he plans to pursue a PhD in Sociology and master’s in public policy. Christian aspires to become a professor, while simultaneously working within state educational policy.

“This summer, as a scholar for the Institute, I have had the opportunity to work with the brilliant minds of Dr. Michael Palm, Dr. Issac Unah, and others. These mentors, my cohort peers, and MURAP itself have given me the space and tools to think about the founding documents and the founders’ intentions around Black collegiate spaces within American society. As America battles over teaching Critical Race Theory in its public schools and hiring Critical Race practitioners within its higher education institutions, I find that my work is essential. I hope the work I complete this summer can start a larger conversation over the purpose of American education so we can move to a more equitable, humanistic version of the institution.”

Sterling Bland is a rising junior at Harvard College where he majores in Sociology with a secondary in African American Studies and a citation in Spanish. His hometown is Colorado Springs, Colorado. This summer he is interning at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. Upon graduation, he plans to attend law—and possibly divinity—school to use principles of faith as tools for restorative justice and holistic healing.

"This summer I am interning at the Faith Angle Forum at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. The aim of my work is to build bridges between journalists and religious scholars in the public sphere. While many Americans profess to be people of faith, journalism is a largely secular industry. So far, I have had the opportunity to learn the role that religion plays in American politics, as well as the role that journalism plays in portraying the impact of faith in our everyday lives. This work has helped me sharpen my reading and writing capacities and broaden the scope of my knowledge on the subject. My aim is to use this work to become a better conversation-starter, bridge builder, and advocate for the marginalized and oppressed with a unique faith perspective.”

Kyle J. Smith is a senior and Stamps President’s Scholar at Georgia Tech where he majors in Public Policy and minors in International Affairs. His hometown is Waldorf, Maryland. This summer, Kyle is interning with the German Marshall Fund of the United States, a non-partisan policy organization committed to strengthening transatlantic cooperation. Instead of an internship last summer with the Institute, Kyle published a research project entitled, “The Chinese Belt and Road Initiative’s Impact on the Political Autonomy of African Nations.” Following graduation, Kyle plans to pursue a joint graduate degree in public policy and law before becoming a human rights lawyer.

“This summer I am grateful for the opportunity to intern at the German Marshall Fund in Washington D.C. I have primarily worked with the Leadership Programs Division to provide educational resources to current fellows, scholars, and the program’s alumni. I have also had the opportunity to meet government officials and leaders of think tanks and NGOs, as well as stay up-to-date with the latest research that fellows and alumni are publishing.”

Ryan Mijumbi is a senior at High Point University where he is a member of the Honors Scholar program and majors in Psychology with a minor in Religion. His hometown is Gastonia, North Carolina. This summer he is interning with the American Psychological Association (APA). Last summer with the Institute, Ryan published a research project entitled, “The Impact of Extraversion in Loneliness, Social Isolation, and Quarantine Mental Health Interventions”, which was published alongside his fellow scholars in, “Proceedings of a Multidisciplinary Colloquium on Impact”. After graduation, Ryan intends to become a child psychologist.

"This summer I am interning with APA's Health Equity and Access Team (HEAT). Currently, I have been hard at work planning for Health Equity's virtual networking event at the 2021 APA Convention this August. In addition, I am researching content and resources to construct a guide for "bystander intervention". With all the other teams that make up the Public Interest Directorate, I have the privilege to learn about how APA tackles social justice, human rights, and human welfare from a psychological perspective. Overall, I am thrilled to be in DC with an amazing group of black men as a part of the Institute. I can't wait to bring all that I've learned to graduate school and to becoming a child psychologist.”

Shaquille Profitt is a senior at York College (The City University of New York), where he majors in English. He is a Thurgood Marshall student ambassador and President of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS). His hometown is Coram, New York. This summer, as a member of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship, he is interning for Congressman Gregory W. Meeks, the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee as a legislative intern. Following Shaquille’s graduation in December, he plans to attend law school. He aspires to be a federal prosecutor and United States federal judge.

“This summer, I am fortunate enough to work in the office of Congressman Gregory W. Meeks, focusing on foreign affairs and constituent services. This internship is incomparable to any other internship I have participated in because it offers a behind-the-scenes perspective of American politics. I provide administrative assistance to the member and his staff, attend briefings, and interact with constituents. I wanted to intern on the Hill to gauge why American politics has become so partisan and understand how to bridge the gap between political parties. Overall, this summer has been unmatched and easily one of the most invaluable experiences in my college career, because I have expanded my knowledge while forming lifelong connections with my fellow Institute scholars and congressional interns.”

Jeremiah Bonnet is a junior at New York University, where he is both a Dean’s and Presidential Honors Scholar. He is studying Sociology with minors in Africana Studies, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies, and Chemistry. He is a Dr. Michael A. Smith and Dr. Beverly L. Alston-Smith Scholar for the Institute. His hometown is Sharon, MA. Jeremiah aspires to become a pediatric neurosurgeon.

“This summer I have the privilege of working with the wonderful Dr. Carolyn Quinsey and the department of neurosurgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. I attend daily rounds, global case conferences, neurology and radiology lectures, and participate in weekly labs. Through this experience, I have engaged with the world of neurosurgery, networked with medical students, nurses, residents and doctors, improved my communication skills through interviews with patients, and have learned the foundational information necessary to effectively evaluate MRI and CT scans.

In addition to my neurosurgery internship, I am conducting research on Epilepsy Care in Kenya with Dr. Angela Wabulya. Through this research project, I have been able to witness the process of conducting a social science experiment from the ground up. Dr. Wabulya has served as a role model to me since the day we met, and I cannot wait to see how our relationship grows as well as how we can improve training in Kenya to enable Kenyan physicians to better care for epilepsy patients. I am so thankful to the Institute for this experience.”

JT Mullins is a junior at Yale University, where he majors in Ethics, Politics, and Economics. His hometown is Hershey, Pennsylvania. This summer he is interning at the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP). In the future, he will attend law school and become a civil rights lawyer.

“As a member of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship, I have the opportunity to work with the Center for Law and Social Policy's Youth and Justice teams this summer. Currently, I am researching the impact of parole and probation programs on the individuals and communities that are affected by them. Later, I will research alternatives to mass incarceration, the feasibility and logistics of divesting funds from the prison industrial complex, and a subsequent reinvestment into community-based programs. I am extremely grateful for the chance to work with CLASP. I am gaining experience in both the industry sector and area of political concentration that I aim to enter following the completion of my post-secondary education.”

The Institute is excited to welcome 22 of America’s best and brightest young men into a network of Rhodes Scholars, Fulbright Scholars, PhDs, MDs, JDs, and much more.

We have selected fifteen outstanding young men to spend the next two summers in our Washington, DC program