Summer Student Research Grants
Dawn Davis Summer Research & Internship Program
The Dawn Davis Summer Research & Internship Program has been established in honor of Dawn Davis’ contributions to publishing, culinary culture, and innovative leadership. Dawn Davis was the Center for RECAAL’s inaugural “Black Entrepreneurs, Innovators and Business Leaders” series speaker in Spring 2021. This internship provides financial support for student research projects or internships broadly related to underrepresented access in the publishing field, representation within culinary cultural production or food services in the U.S., and innovative leadership in the publishing or food industries with an emphasis on expanding access for underrepresented communities. Participating students may choose to develop research skills that will be valuable in these career fields or in pursuing graduate research degrees. Or the awarded student may use the funds to defray costs associated with a summer internship. Related topics may include but are not limited to African American culinary culture, Black restaurateurs or chefs, issues related to food insecurity in Black communities, topics related to African Americans in the publishing field, or studies on African American storytelling or oral traditions. This competitive program offers up to two $1,000 awards per summer for six years (between 2021 and 2026) or until funds are exhausted.
This award can be teamed with funding support from Leadership & Character (L&C) or the Office of Personal and Career Development (OPCD). The awardee is required to apply through a joint application process between RECAAL and either additional funding unit. Should the awardee seek to complete a summer internship, the funds can be added to additional funding awarded by OPCD for up to an additional $5,000. Should the student choose a research project or internship related to innovative leadership connected to the fields or themes described above, he or she must submit a joint proposal to L&C and RECAAL. It is the student’s responsibility to secure additional funding from other sources.
Dawn Davis, editor-in-chief of Bon Appétit Magazine and one of the few Black top editors in Condé Nast’s history. She brings over 30 years of experience as a prominent editor and executive who has been one of the few Black power players in the book world. In her role as a vice president at Simon & Schuster, Davis founded and published “37 Ink,” an outlet promoting and advancing the stories and work of marginalized voices. She also brings her avid cooking skills and a general passion for culinary cultures to her new role. Davis is the author of “If You Can Stand the Heat: Tales From Chefs and Restaurateurs”.
Qualifications
- Must be a student of Wake Forest University
- Cumulative GPA 2.7+
- Must be an undergraduate in their junior or senior year OR a graduate student in their final year of study
- Must be physically located in the US
- Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States, and should not require, now or in the future, sponsorship for employment
Responsibilities
- Complete an internship over two summer months OR research project over the summer or during the academic year on one of the following fields or related topics: African American culinary culture, Black restaurateurs or chefs, issues related to food insecurity in Black communities, topics related to African Americans in the publishing field, innovative leadership, or studies on African American storytelling or oral traditions.
- Note: The stipulations of the internship or research project, including hours, responsibilities, duration, etc. will be determined by the student and internship site or Principal Investigator and must be approved by the Center for RECAAL.
- Upon completion of the internship, the student will submit a final report highlighting the internship work, learning outcomes, the experience in general, and a survey of the program
Randy Huggins Summer Internship for Creative Exploration
The Randy Huggins Summer Internship for Creative Exploration was established in honor of Randy Huggins’ contributions to the entertainment industry through scriptwriting and production. Randy Huggins was the Center for RECAAL’s featured speaker for the “Black Entrepreneurs, Innovators, and Business Leaders” Series in Spring 2022. His gracious contribution allowed The Center for RECAAL to establish the Randy Huggins Summer Internship for Creative Exploration. This internship will provide financial support for student internships broadly related to television production, scriptwriting, creative writing, film, the arts, or the entertainment industry. The awardee may also pursue work that focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion within the entertainment and creative fields. The internship will provide a $5,000 stipend for one student per four summers from Summer 2022 to Summer 2025. The awarded student may use the funds to defray costs associated with a summer internship.
Randy Huggins is the current showrunner and writer of the hit show BMF (Black Mafia Family). He has been a writer and producer for popular shows including Power, Star, Criminal Minds, The Shield, Rebel, Prime Suspect, The Unit, and other projects. Randy Huggins is a Detroit native and an alumnus of Grambling State University.