BLAC INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Building Leaders And Creators is a PAID Program to underrepresented talent
Our Mission
To bring more Black and underrepresented talent into advertising, ensuring they can fully express themselves, find community, and ultimately lead.
What We Do
We offer agencies the inspiration, guidance, and assistance they need to jump into action. We open the door to exciting new talent, providing coaching and training on how to best support and retain them.
We offer emerging creative thinkers access to the industry, supported by education, inspiration, experience, and community. We support long-term success with continued opportunities, connections, mentorship, and counsel.
BLAC launches careers, transforms lives, impacts agency work and culture, and affects broader change in the industry.
What Is the BLAC Internship?
The BLAC Internship is a twelve-week summer program that pays, trains, and places emerging talent in leading agencies across the country. Interns participate in shared experiences with shared resources and projects, and upon completion of the program, become part of a network of peers and industry leaders who will continue to provide support throughout their careers.
To date, BLAC has supported nearly 300 up-and-coming professionals, many of whom are currently thriving in advertising, marketing, and related creative industries.
BLAC in 2026
May 18 - August 7, 2026
Education + Inspiration + Experience + Community
Intro Week: May 18 - 22 (1 week)
Interns kick off the week with an onboarding day at their host agency, then join the national intern cohort virtually for four days of programming aimed to introduce them to advertising, agency roles, and countless leaders in the industry.
In Agency: May 26 - July 22 (8 ½ weeks)
Interns get to work in their host agency, training in their role, participating in meetings, listening in on client calls, and helping with pitches to gain exposure and hands-on experience. BLAC staff gather the national cohort twice a week virtually, for continued professional development and community-building experiences. *Observed holidays fall on May 25, June 19, and July 3.
Pitch Project: July 23 - July 31 (1 ½ weeks)
The interns are briefed by brand reps. Working in teams, they’ll develop and pitch their creative concepts to leading national brands.
Career Fair: August 3 - 7 (1 week)
Two full days of workshops, guest speakers, and work time for final resume and portfolio tweaks help prep the cohort to enter interviews and info sessions with hiring agencies and brands participating in BLAC’s Career Fair.
*Dates and timeline subject to change
How to Apply
Eligibility:
Applicants to the BLAC internship program should
Be at least 18 years of age by the start of the summer program.
Have current authorization to work in the United States. Position not eligible for sponsorship.
Be fully available for the 12 weeks of the summer program, and able to commit 29 hours each week during standard business hours. *Accommodations will be made for students finishing their spring semester during the first weeks of the program.
Please note:
Relocation is not expected or required, and interns are not eligible for relocation assistance. Applicants will only be considered for opportunities that are either geographically close to them or offered remotely by participating host agencies.
To apply:
Create a 2-minute video showing and telling us why the advertising industry needs you. Share with us a bit about the perspective, experience, talent, skills, and/or creative thinking that you’d contribute to the future of advertising.
Submit your video, along with application responses, by the February 13, 2026 deadline.
Have questions? Reach out to submissions@blacinternship.org.