Help develop the East Pasco Black Heritage Tour

 

Internship Summary:

African American Community, Cultural, and Educational Society (AACCES) is seeking an individual to collate various pieces of research for the design of the East Pasco Black Heritage tour. This individual will sort and inventory both primary sources and interpretive materials to provide background for the tour’s development. AACCES has already identified sites the bus tour will visit. The intern will search through the archives of various organizations to identify and log relevant data points. The end products include a final report of findings as well as a spreadsheet outlining relevant materials.

 

This is a paid internship funded through a Diversity in Local History grant provided by the Washington State Historical Society and the Washington State Legislature.

 

Mission and Values of AACCES:

The mission of AACCES is to engage the Mid-Columbia Community in improving African American quality of life and increasing awareness about African-American participation and contributions through cultural and educational activities and outreach programs. In 20012002 AACCES filled a vacuum in the Tri-Cities Manhattan Project narrative around the contributions of African Americans; the History & Recognition Committee recorded oral histories of Blacks who migrated from the South to work at the Hanford site Laboratory and start businesses in East Pasco. Founded by members of these families, the all-volunteer organization has since partnered with other institutions to further document these stories of segregation under Jim Crow and the fight for civil rights.

 

Before AACCES can come full circle in proctoring the bus tour, the journey needs to be scripted. The guided tour will draw from the sources the intern collates.

 

Start Date: Monday, August 3, 2026

End Date: Friday, May 27, 2027

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Intern Responsibilities:

• Intern will review various interpretive sources (articles, books, context surveys, site nominations, books, and videos) provided by AACCES to gain insights to African American experiences in the Tri-Cities. As the intern familiarizes themself with East Pasco Black History, they will make note of relevant data points. Intern will log pertinent facts and references by subject.

 

• Intern will inventory files at selected institutions specific to a) African Americans and b) pre-determined tour stops pertinent to African Americans. Upon being given an overview of the fields needed for the spreadsheet, intern will scan, document, and Federal Tax Exempt Identification # 05-0592107 P.O. Box 3126 Pasco, Washington 99302 summarize relevant documents and resources. Intern will maintain an electronic outline of materials by approved topics available at each institution. This Inventory of resources will be delivered through a Google sheet for inclusion into historical societies/museums’ electronic systems such as Catalogueit.com.

 

• Intern will report on findings relevant to sites on the tour. Intern will write a paper and assemble a slide deck. Intern will present the deck in person to the AACCES board.

 

Half the work can be performed at predetermined Tri-Cities historical societies, museums, libraries, governmental agencies and research institutions; the other half can be completed remotely.

 

Project manager will introduce intern to contacts at aforementioned organizations. Intern will then track and catalogue materials in their respective archives. Project manager will be available to answer questions and provide feedback on intern’s work.

 

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Proficiency with Google Workspace

• Ability to self-start and work independently both remotely and on-site

• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills

• Strong interpersonal and writing skills

• Ability to work within deadlines

• Communicate progress regularly with project manager

• Interest in history

• Must currently reside in Washington State

• Eighteen years of age or older

• Must be able to travel to various Tri-Cities locations to go through various organizations’ archives

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior public history experience and/or coursework on African-American history

• Proficiency with collections management software such as CatalogIt

 

Compensation:

Hours: 720 total. Intern should expect to work approximately 18 hours per week

Pay: $21.00/hour; up to $13,440 over the course of the internship

 

How to apply:

Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume by close of business on Monday, July 20, 2026 to tanyabowers@att.net.

 

Questions should be directed to project manager Tanya Bowers.

 

Federal Tax Exempt Identification # 05-0592107

 

P.O. Box 3126 Pasco, Washington 99302