Institute of Politics

Overview of Organization:
The Arab American Institute Foundation (AAI) is a nationally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1995. AAI is dedicated to advancing civil rights advocacy, strengthening democracy, protecting civil liberties, and defending human rights. With a focus on empowering Arab American communities, AAI provides strategic analysis to policymakers and community members to ensure their voices are heard and represented in all aspects of civic life.

Our Theory of Change:
At AAI, we believe that our democracy thrives when communities are empowered and engaged. We are committed to fostering meaningful change towards democratic ideals of equality, justice, and inclusion by fully engaging all communities in civic life.

Internship Summary:
As a Policy and Civic Engagement Intern at AAI, you will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in policy making, civic engagement, and community building. Join our team of mission-driven advocates in the heart of our nation’s capital and contribute to impactful work that makes a difference. As a Yalla Vote intern, you will play a key role in researching and tracking state-based voter laws and policy priorities, supporting voter engagement efforts across the country, and producing essential content to promote civic participation.

Responsibilities:
- Assist in the implementation of state-based Yalla Vote field plans.
- Conduct research on policy priorities, including civil rights, civil liberties, data equity/demographics, hate and bias, and election disinformation.
- Write blogs, press releases, issue briefs, and other communication content to support voter engagement initiatives.
- Prepare social media content to promote voter engagement efforts.
- Support the development of state-specific voter education tools about voter registration, vote by mail, and in-person voting.
- Collaborate with the team and be willing to assist in other AAI operations as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:
- Self-motivated and detail-oriented individual.
- Excellent personal, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and meet deadlines in a rapidly evolving environment.
- Strong team player with a commitment to common goals.
- Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications; experience with EveryAction and Squarespace is preferred.

About the Supervisor:
Interns will be supervised by Margaret Lowry, AAI’s Policy Counsel, who brings extensive experience in creating opportunities for Arab Americans to advocate for their community. Margaret has a background in researching hate crimes, advocating for asylum seekers, and working on civil rights issues. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia and the William and Mary School of Law.

Location, Modality, and Commute:
Our team is in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, with remote work on Mondays and Fridays. Ideally, interns would work in-person with us Tuesday through Thursday. Our office is located downtown Washington, D.C., on Black Lives Matter Plaza at 16th and K Street NW, just two blocks away from the White House. The office is conveniently situated near multiple Metro and bus lines, facilitating an easy commute.

Start and End Date:
The Summer Internship will start on June 10, 2024, and end on August 10, 2024.