Beauty, Culture & Research Intern
Organization: READY to BEAUTY
Project: Black Beauty’s Contribution to America
Commitment: ~10 hours/week (virtual)
Compensation: Negotiable; includes education, mentorship, professional exposure, and a signed copy of Joy Goddess by A’Lelia Bundles, Madam C.J. Walker's great great granddaughter.
About the Project
In honor of the United States’ 250th anniversary, READY to BEAUTY is producing a special editorial project that examines American history through a Black beauty lens. This “position paper–meets–cultural publication” explores how Black beauty has shaped American identity, aesthetics, culture, and imagination — often invisibly, yet profoundly.
The project blends:
• Thematic essays
• Archival references
• Visual storytelling
• Q&A interviews
• Cultural analysis
• Data, charts, and timelines
• Creative elements like doodles, ads, and brand letters
This internship supports the soft launch of a formalized community of beauty professionals and contributes directly to the research and creative development of the America 250 project.
What You’ll Learn
This is a learning-first internship. You will gain exposure to:
• How cultural publications are conceptualized and produced
• How Black beauty intersects with American history, economics, and identity
• How to conduct research for editorial, cultural, and creative projects
• How early-stage concepts are pitched to funders and institutional partners
• How to support event planning and virtual production
• How to build a “beauty intelligence file” — a curated research archive
• How to work with video interviews and multimedia storytelling
You will attend virtual meetings, observe high-level conversations, and receive mentorship from experienced operators, marketers, and cultural thinkers.
Key Responsibilities
1. Research & Cultural Insight Development
• Conduct online research on themes related to Black beauty, American history, and cultural influence
• Gather “fun facts,” archival references, and thematic insights for the America 250 project
• Build lists of brands, professionals, scholars, and cultural contributors
• Help develop a structured “beauty file” that organizes research, themes, and opportunities
2. Editorial & Creative Support
• Assist in shaping thematic passages, lists, timelines, and short-form content
• Support Q&A preparation for interviews with beauty leaders and cultural thinkers
• Help organize visual references, images, and multimedia elements
• Contribute ideas for creative components (e.g., doodles, ads, quotes, moments)
3. Event & Production Support
• Assist with planning and coordination for soft-launch events
• Support logistics for virtual interviews, including recording sessions
• Help prepare materials for meetings with funders and institutional partners
• Track tasks, timelines, and follow-ups
4. Administrative & Organizational Support
• Maintain research documents, lists, and project trackers
• Help organize video files, notes, and interview materials
• Support communication and coordination across the project team
Qualifications
• Strong research and internet-search skills
• Curious, organized, and self-directed
• Interest in beauty, culture, history, or storytelling
• Comfortable working virtually
• Strong writing or note-taking skills are a plus
Time Commitment
• ~10 hours per week
• Fully virtual
• Flexible around academic schedules
What You’ll Receive
• A signed copy of Joy Goddess by A’Lelia Bundles
• Access to virtual events and meetings with beauty leaders
• Mentorship and professional development
• A portfolio of research and project work
• Exposure to a national-level cultural project tied to America’s 250th anniversary
How to Apply
Please submit:
• A short paragraph on why you’re interested
• Your résumé (optional) or why you’d be a good fit for role
Pay: $10.00 - $20.00 per hour
Work Location: Remote