In a series of
occasional blog posts, participants in our Mellon Scholars Internship and
Workshop programs will introduce themselves, discuss their experiences at the
Library Company, and share their goals for pursuing careers in the field of
early African American history. This program is generously funded by the Andrew
W. Mellon Foundation.
Howdy y’all! My name is Jalyn Gordon, and I am from Fort
Worth, Texas. I will be an incoming senior at the University of Houston
studying Political Science and African-American Studies, and I am ecstatic to
participate in the Mellon Scholars Internship Program! As an individual who has
attended schools comprised of a myriad of cultures, I was never fully aware of
my “differences” until attending my prestigious majority Eurocentric college
preparatory high school—I was never treated the same by my peers and I was
confused as to why.
I became deeply fascinated with my own cultural history as a
college freshman taking an Introduction to African-American Studies class.
Needless to say, my life was never the same, and I understood why I experienced the racial hostilities I endured
in high school. I instantly became immersed in the challenges and victories of
the Africana Diaspora. This deep fascination was heightened when I became the
President of the Black Student Union, an umbrella organization for all campus Africana-centered
organizations that focus on unifying the black student/faculty population on
campus as a whole. This position (and not entirely taking pleasure in other
opportunities such as working for Houston’s City Council) affirmed my passion
and devotion to Urban Community Development.
Our African-American Studies Department does an excellent
job of communicating internship prospects for its students; and as you all can
see, I was a recipient of this efficient communication. As I read over the
qualifications and description of the Mellon Scholars Program, I whispered to
myself, “Girl there’s no way you’re going to get this.” But, my life motto,
‘What would you do if you knew you could not fail?’ reminded me that with the
correct mindset, I am capable of all things. (Imagine how I felt when I opened
my acceptance letter!). At the Library Company, I am researching the rise of
black communalism and autonomy in Philadelphia in the 1800s. Combining my love
of politics, community transformation, and black leadership, this topic has
graced me with the chance to read some riveting books; my current favorite, titled Freedom’s Prophet, was written by the fabulous Dr. Newman.
After I complete my undergraduate career, I would like to
immediately attend graduate school to pursue a degree in either Public Policy
or Higher Education Administration. I
plan to use my knowledge to revolutionize and revamp the spirit of camaraderie
in the black community and/or on higher education campuses.
Jalyn Gordon
Mellon Scholars Intern, Summer 2015
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