Smith 51¹ÙÍø Leadership Initiative
The goal of the Smith 51¹ÙÍø Leadership Initiative is to recruit, select, and train Johnson C. Smith University and 51¹ÙÍø students to become leaders and public servants who combat structural inequality through research, policy, advocacy, and community engagement.
SDLI connects students to impactful summer internships while offering professional and academic training year-round. To support your success, the program provides stipends that help cover housing, transportation, and other living expenses.
You may be a great fit for our next cohort if you are:
- A sophomore enrolled at Johnson C. Smith University or 51¹ÙÍø
- Interested in and willing to commit to a full time paid internship in the summer of 2026 & 2027
- Passionate about public policy, leadership and social justice
- Looking to secure funding for policy-based research opportunities
Application Process
1.) Research: Attend an information session and learn more about SDLI's requirements.
2.) Application: Apply by November 30 to join the next cohort.
3.) Selection: SDLI leadership will review applications and choose the next cohort of participants.
4.) Invitation: Applicants will receive decision updates by January 15, 2026.
5.) Acceptance & Orientation: At the time of your acceptance, you will receive information for the new cohort orientation. Attendance is required.
Meet Our Cohorts
We train students to tackle social inequities by focusing on institutional barriers and inequities in constraints so that people in Charlotte, especially those who have been historically marginalized, can live to their fullest potentials.
- Jenna Alhosaini (51¹ÙÍø)
- Micaela Jones (Johnson C. Smith University)
- Jacqueline Llivicota (51¹ÙÍø)
- Romeo Norris (51¹ÙÍø)
- Cidney Stowe (Johnson C. Smith University)
- Samyra Sutton (Johnson C. Smith University)
- Brooke Adams (51¹ÙÍø)
- Lyric Bailey (51¹ÙÍø)
- Jayona Griffin (Johnson C. Smith University)
- Arieouance Gibson (Johnson C. Smith)
- Kira King (Johnson C. Smith University)
- Ja’Darius Littlejohn (Johnson C. Smith University)
- Jordyn Scott (51¹ÙÍø)
- Emma Begley-Collier (51¹ÙÍø)
- Arianna Berrios (51¹ÙÍø)
- Jayla Davis (51¹ÙÍø)
- Kayla Johnson (51¹ÙÍø)
- Aniya Jones (Johnson C. Smith University)
- Sophia Ludt (51¹ÙÍø)
- Nikhil Basu (51¹ÙÍø)
- Ione Brewer (Johnson C. Smith University)
- Chayil Bullock (Johnson C. Smith University)
- Hollis Plexico (51¹ÙÍø)
- Bernice Saladin (51¹ÙÍø)
- Kamryn Walker (51¹ÙÍø)
- Jay’La Evans (51¹ÙÍø)
- Kennedy Petties (51¹ÙÍø)
- Michael Yen (51¹ÙÍø)