Job Title: BMRC SPRING UIC HIST499 INTERN
 

ABOUT the BMRC and the UIC HIST499 Internship Program
                The Black Metropolis Research Consortium (BMRC) is an unincorporated association of Chicago-based libraries, universities, museums, and other archival institutions. Hosted by the University of Chicago, the BMRC's mission is to make its members' materials documenting African American and African diasporic culture, history, and politics--most with a specific focus on materials relating to Chicago--broadly accessible to the public and the research community. In addition, the BMRC promotes the creation of new scholarship, art, and history and seeks to extend the audience of those interested in preserving Chicago's African American cultural heritage through scholarly and public programming.  

                This internship is designed to provide students enrolled in HIST499 at the University of Illinois Chicago with work opportunities to gain practical experience, earn money while they are in school or recently out of school, and enhance their educational experience.  The program is designed to prepare students to address the need of archivists within the archives who have experience with Black archival materials, the importance of preserving ethnic and culturally significant materials and program management in a small non-profit setting. 

INTERNSHIP JOB DESCRIPTION:

The BMRC is looking for an advanced undergraduate student to support the consortium’s research efforts, events, and programming (virtual and/or in-person). The BMRC student intern will be expected to work on at least 1-2 of the following projects in consultation with the BMRC staff:

• Assist in production of the newsletter for distribution to all BMRC member institutions using MailChimp software (training provided)
• Create social media posts and advertisements for BMRC member programs, significant dates in 
• Black history and re-posting of BMRC member events and postings using X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook. (training provided)
• Assist with data collection for the Fellowship and Internship programs.
• Assist with data collection for the Fellowship and Internship programs.
• Provide administrative support before, during and after BMRC events (virtual and/or in-person).

           -- Black History Month and Women's History Month Talks, Archival Workshops, etc. 

           -- Recruitment Information Talks (Online & In-Person)

           -- Planning for the SUM 25 AMAIP intern orientation

           -- Planning for the SUM25 Fellowship Orientation

           -- Other Events
 

 BASIC Qualifications

• Current undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in HIST499 at the University of Illinois Chicago are eligible to apply. 
• Students must be in good standing at UI Chicago.
• Students pursuing degrees in US history, archives, information science, public history, African American history, political science, sociology, and critical race/ethnic studies who have acquired strong research skills are especially encouraged to apply.

We seek interns that...

• will exercise discretion and confidence when handling restricted materials and records.
• have excellent computer skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Docs.
• have demonstrated effective written and oral communication skills.
• the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a production-oriented, team environment.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, l and interpersonal skills.

The ideal internship candidate will possess the following:

▪     Interest in US history and African American history.

▪     Strong research and writing skills.

▪     Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a production-oriented environment.

▪     Strong time management and organizational skills

▪     Experience with Microsoft Office applications, and the Google suite

▪     Experience with social media

▪     Demonstrated interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills

PREFERRED Qualifications:

• Experience managing social media platforms for an organization, including, but not limited to, Instagram, X (Twitter), Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, and others.
• Experience with data collection
• Experience working with web-based content management systems and a basic understanding of database management.

PAY:
           To be determined

Total Hours:
           Ten hours per week across fifteen weeks (maximum work hours from January to April = 150 hours. 

Archie Motley Archival Internship Program
Summer 2025
 

Job Title: Archie Motley Archival Intern
 

About the BMRC and the Archie Motley Archival Internship Program
       The Black Metropolis Research Consortium (BMRC) is an unincorporated association of Chicago-based libraries, universities, museums, and other archival institutions. Hosted by the University of Chicago, the BMRC's mission is to make its members' materials documenting African American and African diasporic culture, history, and politics--most with a specific focus on materials relating to Chicago--broadly accessible to the public and the research community. In addition, the BMRC promotes the creation of new scholarship, art, and history and seeks to extend the audience of those interested in preserving Chicago's African American cultural heritage through scholarly and public programming.  

       The Archie Motley Archival Internship Program is designed to provide students of color with work opportunities to gain practical experience, earn money while they are in school or recently out of school, and enhance their educational experience.  The program is designed to recruit students of color to address the underrepresentation of critically needed ethnic archivists within the archives.

       The program is named in honor of Mr. Archibald "Archie" Motley III (1935-2002), who began his career with the Chicago Historical Society (now the Chicago History Museum) in 1955 and ultimately advanced to the position of curator of archives and manuscripts in 1974. Mr. Motley spearheaded the active collection development of Chicago’s urban, social, and cultural history—especially collections related to labor, African Americans, and community organizations and materials related to Chicago’s complex and tumultuous history. In 1998, he was named Chicago History Museum’s archivist emeritus.  A leader in the profession, Motley served as the first president of the Midwest Archives Conference and was an active member of the Society of American Archivists. He was lauded for his tireless collection development efforts to preserve Chicago’s urban, social, and cultural history –especially collections related to labor, African Americans, and community organizations. Those collections include the papers of Claude Barnett, founder of the Associated Negro Press; Earl Dickerson, an attorney for Supreme Life Insurance Co.; and documents of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Black Metropolis Research Consortium seeks dedicated interns to assist BMRC member institutions with archival projects. Work assigned may be conducted remotely, on-site, or in a hybrid.  Interns work under the direction and supervision of an archivist, particularly a collections team member at one of the BMRC member institutions. 

Intern assignments may include work involving one, two or more of the following tasks. 

• Arranging and describing records according to the University Archivist’s work plan.
• Creating metadata for a collection of documents or photographs to increase access.
• Creating a database using software, e.g. Excel or other software
• Conducting interviews and transcribing them for an oral history project
• Learning about and assisting with an in-person and online exhibits
• Creating and updating social media as a part of a marketing campaign 
• Writing archival finding aids in an archival collection management database

BASIC Qualifications

Current undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at an accredited metro-Chicago area college or university are eligible to apply. 

Applications received from students currently enrolled in one of the BMRC member institutions are given priority. Recent graduates of these institutions are also eligible to apply. 

Alums of BMRC university members who are exploring a career transition will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

• Students must be in good standing at metro-area Chicago colleges and universities are eligible to apply.
• Students pursuing degrees in US history, archives, information science, public history, African American history, political science, sociology, and critical race/ethnic studies who have acquired strong research skills are especially encouraged to apply.

We seek interns that...

• will exercise discretion and confidence when handling restricted materials and records.
• have excellent computer skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Docs.
• have demonstrated effective written and oral communication skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, l and interpersonal skills.
• An ability to work independently and collaboratively in a production-oriented, team environment.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Must be able to lift 40 pounds.
   

PREFERRED Qualifications:

• Experience managing social media platforms for an organization, including, but not limited to, Instagram, X (Twitter), Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, and others.
• Experience working with web-based content management systems and a basic understanding of database management.
• Familiarity with Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) and other relevant description tools, authorities, and standards.
   

Stipend/Award:
       $3,500

Required Hours:
 27 hours per week across eight weeks totaling 216 hours.

  25 hours per week is focused on the assigned project

    2 hours each week attending BMRC Educational Enrichment & Professional Development sessions


 

BMRC - ARCHIE MOTLEY ARCHIVAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
SUMMER 2024  (Host Site Application)
ELIGIBILITY:
Applicants must be employed by one of the Black Metropolis Research Consortium's member institutions. The application process requires the submission of a detailed project description, including overall objectives, a work plan, and information about the intern's training, supervision, resources, and daily/weekly scheduling. If there is work that will require the intern t interact with other units regularly, please explain.  Other questions on the application seek information about the institution's and/or project supervisor's previous experience with interns. The institution's statement of diversity should also be provided.
PROGRAM GOALS:
The Archie Motley Archival Internship Program is designed to provide students of color with work opportunities to gain practical experience, earn money while they are in school or recently out of school, and enhance their educational experience.  The Archie Motley Archival Internship Program is designed in alignment with the values of the archivist for whom the program is named, Archibald "Archie" Motley, III.  We aim to recruit students of color and expose them to archival work t address the underrepresentation of critically needed ethnic archivists within the archives profession.
WHO WAS ARCHIE MOTLEY?
The program is named in honor of Mr. Archibald "Archie" Motley III (1935-2002), who began his career with the Chicago Historical Society (now the Chicago History Museum) in 1955 and ultimately advanced to the position of curator of archives and manuscripts in 1974.  Mr. Motley spearheaded active collection development of Chicago’s urban, social, and cultural history—especially collections related to labor, African Americans, and community organizations—but also many other materials related to Chicago’s complex and tumultuous history. In 1998, he was named Chicago History Museum’s archivist emeritus.  A leader in the profession, Motley served as the first president of the Midwest Archives Conference and was an active member of the Society of American Archivists. He was lauded for his tireless collection development efforts to preserve Chicago’s urban, social, and cultural history –especially collections related to labor, African Americans, and community organizations. Those collections include the papers of Claude Barnett, founder of the Associated Negro Press; Earl Dickerson, an attorney for Supreme Life Insurance Co.; and papers of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters.
AMAIP INTERN HOST SITE REQUIREMENTS
Project proposals submitted by host site applicants

• require at least 200 hours of work over 8 weeks during the summer to qualify.**
• provide the intern with an opportunity to be immersed in archival work using Black historical collections
• provide the intern with an opportunity to acquire a new skill set in archival work
• Members will be asked whether an AMAIP intern will work on-site, remotely, or on a hybrid schedule. BMRC board and staff continue to review the status of the coronavirus and local policy changes by the City of Chicago.  Member institutions applying to host an intern will be informed if a decision is made only to consider remote internships.

**NOTE: Interns must spend up to 2 hours per week participating in the BMRC Enrichment & Professional Development Mini-Course taught by the BMRC Program Manager. These hours are in addition to the 200 hours they will work with you on the project. Enrichment Activity & Professional Development sessions will be planned in advance, allowing supervisors to plan accordingly.  
AMAIP Host site supervisors will...

• Please make appropriate introductions to staff and/or other students, go over the work plan, and begin the intern's training in the first two days of the internship.
• manage the intern with regular check-in meetings by reviewing their work, responding to questions, and ensuring they are on track with project plans
• Please complete a BMRC Intern Midway-Point Check-In Form and discuss it with the intern, letting them know before submitting it to the BMRC staff.
• include a tour of the broader facility, including other units/departments
• include AMAIP interns in appropriate meetings and events
• approve the intern's weekly online timesheet
• work with the BMRC Program Manager regarding the scheduled Enrichment Activities & Professional Development sessions.
• complete an online evaluation of the intern during the last week of the internship

Once the online Host Site application is complete, it will be reviewed by the AMAIP Jury Selection Committee.

• PART ONE: Preliminary notifications will be sent out by mid-February to notify institutions if the jury has accepted their proposal. 
• PART TWO: 
• Once all applicants are interviewed and selected, the AMAIP JURY will match students with a host site. 
• Students will be notified of their match and asked to accept or decline the Archie Motley Internship in March. 
• Final notices will be shared with all host site applicants by April 1, 2024

SUMMER SHORT-TERM FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM APPLICANTION GUIDELINES:

The Black Metropolis Research Consortium (BMRC) invites applications for the 2025 Summer Short-term Fellowship Program. Scholars, researchers, and artists are eligible for the Fellowship based on their research interests and need for access to Black collections within BMRC Member Institutions. While submissions from applicants outside of metropolitan Chicago will be given priority, all eligible applicants are encouraged to apply. 

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NOTICE REGARDING TIMING OF FELLOWSHIP:

• The timeframe for the one month residency must be June - August of 2025
• Proposed dates and alternative dates must be provided within the application. 
• Final dates will be reviewed by the program manager, and discussed with selected fellows before approval is      granted. If there are any complications or disagreement regarding the fellows; selected dates, the BMRC reserves the right to rescind the offer.

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NOTICE REGARDING FUNDING OF FELLOWSHIP:

• Awardees whose primary residence is in the Chicago-Metro area will receive a $2,500 stipend to fund a      one-month fellowship. (One month means four consecutive weeks.)
• Awardees whose primary residence is outside of the Chicago-Metro area will receive a $4,000 stipend
• Awardees whose primary residence is outside of the USA, will receive a $5,000 stipend.

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SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

ACCEPTABLE FILE TYPES: .doc, .docx, .pdf

GENERAL INFORMATION: Must be filled in within the online Submittable application form

CV:  

· Please include your name, contact information, and institutional affiliation, if applicable. 

· CVs must be uploaded within submittable.com system in the designated section of the application

RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSAL:

FORMAT of DOCUMENT - Your proposal must follow the following format

· 1500-1800 words, single spaced

· Font: Arial

· Font Size: 12 pt

· Paper Type: 8.5 x 11 (Letter)

· Preferred formats: MSWord and PDF

· Margins in MSWord must be set to NORMAL (1 inch for top, bottom, left and right)
   If converted from MSWord to PDF, no changes are needed. 

STRUCTURE of PROPOSAL:

· section 1 - BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION

· section 2 - RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSAL

· section 3 - SIGNIFICANCE OF PROJECT

· section 4 - RESEARCH PLAN A brief narrative along with an outline your research plan and dates of proposed research. Including a table can be helpful but is not required. 

· NOTE: All sections of the research project proposal must be submitted as one document within the submittable.com system in the designated section of the application

CONTENT of PROPOSAL: The following recommendations provide guidance regarding the
    expectations of our jurors when reviewing applicant proposals.

· Provide a compelling narrative of your interest in African American history as well as the title and description of your proposed research topic

· Detail how the proposed research topic will generate new perspectives or contribute to knowledge of the black experience in Chicagoland

· Discuss the significance/impact of the project to the current and prior published scholarly research

· Share how your research project fits within the purpose of the Summer Short-Term Fellowship program

· Please share which specific collections from your list are most vital to your project. 

· NOTE: The jurors will read your list of BMRC institutions and the collections you intend to review. 

· To become familiar with the BMRC collections, please visit the BMRC ARCHIVAL PORTAL and also review the BMRC MEMBER INSTITUTIONS LIST 

A sample of your work (scholarly paper, video, photography, or other artistic work). Please review our Sample Work Guidelines before accessing the Submittable online application to become familiar with size limits and other specifics regarding uploaded items.

REFERENCES:

• Two references are REQUIRED.
• A third reference is optional, but encouraged in the event that one person is not timely or fails to respond. 
• All reference letters must be submitted by the reference deadline, Monday, January 20 at 11:59 PM, using the designated section of the fellowship application form within submittable.com.
• Those providing a reference should be familiar with your qualifications for the proposed project and speak to your research skills, experience, knowledge of African American history, and capacity to carry out the proposed project. The applicant must ensure their references submit letters via the      Submittable online system by the reference deadline. 
• In providing their email address, your designated references will receive a link to upload      their reference letter to the Submittable system.
• Notify everyone you name as a reference so they will look for the email notification.

SUPPORTING MATERIALS:

• ACCEPTABLE FILE TYPES: Please refer to the SUPPORTING MATERIALS section of the online application
• All submitted work samples (media and files) should have been completed within the past four (4) years.  A note of explanation should accompany any work sample completed outside of this time frame.
• Any work done with a collaborator must be noted.  Please describe your role with respect to the work.  Please submit samples of critical reviews of your work, if available.
• Please review the description of varied acceptable supporting materials in the "SUPPORT MATERIALS" section of the application. 
• NOTE: All supporting materials (media and files) must be uploaded within the submittable.com application system in accordance with the directions provided in the SUPPORT MATERIALS section of the application. 

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DEADLINE:

Please submit your complete application by 11:59 PM on Monday, January 13, 2025.  

• Referees are encouraged to provide a reference letter as soon as possible for earliest review of your application package. However, the reference deadline is Monday, January 20, 2025.
• References must use submitable.com and will not otherwise be accepted. (Please refer to the reference section of the online application form for more information.)

If you have any questions please review the FELLOWSHIP OVERVIEW & HOW TO APPLY page on our website. If you need further clarification, you may email the BMRC program manager, Allison Sutton at amsutton@uchicago.edu.