Internships offer minority students retail experience
HACKETTSTOWN, NJ (June 21) -- Dozens of young minority interns gathered at Centenary College in Hackettstown last week for a rare opportunity to relax.
The occasion was an annual retreat sponsored by the Black Retail Action Group for members of its summer internship program.
Based in New York, BRAG was founded in 1970 to increase networking opportunities for black retailers and to provide practical experience for black and other minority youth.
Each year, students are selected for summer internships at up to 13 companies, including Bloomingdale's, Phillips-Van Heusen and Saks.
The retreat was organized primarily by Angela Rodriguez, a former intern who serves on BRAG's board and is a Centenary College graduate. Rodriguez is hoping to establish the BRAG program on the Centenary campus.
Gail Monroe-Perry, president of BRAG since 2004, is proud of how far the group has come in the retail business.
She cited its efforts to help entrepreneurs with business development and to give retailers and retail managers the chance to network with each other.
An all-volunteer group, BRAG relies on the support of donors and benefactors.
"It's really because of their commitment and willingness to give something back that we've been able to stay around for 37 years," Monroe-Perry said.
25 internships a year
The internships command a great deal of BRAG's attention. "We give an average of 25 internships every year, and it's split between high school and college students," Monroe-Perry said.
J.J. Thomas, executive director of BRAG's internship program, continues to run the 11-week program.
The occasion was an annual retreat sponsored by the Black Retail Action Group for members of its summer internship program.
Based in New York, BRAG was founded in 1970 to increase networking opportunities for black retailers and to provide practical experience for black and other minority youth.
Each year, students are selected for summer internships at up to 13 companies, including Bloomingdale's, Phillips-Van Heusen and Saks.
The retreat was organized primarily by Angela Rodriguez, a former intern who serves on BRAG's board and is a Centenary College graduate. Rodriguez is hoping to establish the BRAG program on the Centenary campus.
Gail Monroe-Perry, president of BRAG since 2004, is proud of how far the group has come in the retail business.
She cited its efforts to help entrepreneurs with business development and to give retailers and retail managers the chance to network with each other.
An all-volunteer group, BRAG relies on the support of donors and benefactors.
"It's really because of their commitment and willingness to give something back that we've been able to stay around for 37 years," Monroe-Perry said.
25 internships a year
The internships command a great deal of BRAG's attention. "We give an average of 25 internships every year, and it's split between high school and college students," Monroe-Perry said.
J.J. Thomas, executive director of BRAG's internship program, continues to run the 11-week program.
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