Afropop Worldwide / World Music Productions
Internship Opportunities: Winter/Spring 2010

About Afropop Worldwide/World Music Productions
World Music Productions is a Brooklyn-based non-profit multi-media organization whose mission is to promote understanding and enjoyment of the contemporary musical cultures of Africa and the African Diaspora.  This mission is fulfilled through the award-winning radio series Afropop Worldwide (hosted by Georges Collinet and airing nationwide on more than 100 PRI affiliates), as well as the information-rich website www.afropop.org. 

About Afropop Internships:
An Afropop internship is not your average “boring and mindless” internship (see the Intern testimonials below).  Working with a small but extremely energetic staff, and steeped in local New York City live events, Afropop interns experience a wide range of music and build a valuable catalog of skills, from cultural journalism to non-profit management, from cross-cultural communications to web management, from community outreach to marketing and radio production.

Sure, there will be some copying, mail prepping, filing and archiving.  But this will be balanced by a true leadership role. We believe in giving our interns a broad experience.

Although you will get a chance to do a variety of tasks, the three major roles most needed in 2010 include:

Website Intern
Afropop.org is preparing to undergo a major update. As a website intern you will play a role in building our web environment. At the same time, this position requires the intern to make weekly updates to website’s program streams, add new features, manage and update our “free stuff” raffles, put up newsflashes and interviews. The website intern will also get the opportunity to frequently work with radio show producers on corresponding website features and write music reviews on incoming CDs.

Development Intern
This position is excellent for anyone interested in fundraising and development for a non-profit organization. The development intern will regularly conduct research on potential donors, sponsors, and foundations that can help support Afropop Worldwide’s vision. This person will learn how to manage our donor database, process incoming donations, draft thank you letters, campaign appeals, and letters of inquiry to donors, potential donors, corporations and foundations. The intern will also play a role in events management and grant writing for the organization.

Final Cut Pro Intern
This position allows the intern to manage the production and editing of Afropop’s YouTube video series under the direction of the Operations Director.  You must be able to edit in Final Cut Pro or a comparable program. Although you don’t have to be an expert, you need a rudimentary grasp (and a willingness to learn more) of any of the following: Working with venues and artists to secure permissions, experience in pre-production, proper camera white-balance and operation.       

The final cut pro intern will need to have good interviewing skills, be effective at capturing broadcast-quality (TV/Radio) sound, and have an interest in the Afropop music scene in NYC. Help us add to our growing roster of multi-media products while you add to your reel!

Below are other positions that can be included in your track here at the organization:

Grassroots Outreach Assistant: Update Afropop’s MySpace and Facebook pages, create fun giveaways, and work with volunteers to represent Afropop at as many music events as possible.

Music Rights and Distribution Assistant: Manage all aspects of BMI and ASCAP reporting, and learn about new distribution modes to give our music a wider recognition!

Program Production Assistant: Work with the producer of Afropop Worldwide to research and edit scripts, schedule interviews, and assist with production.

Cultural/Music Journalism: Write CD reviews, Newsflashes, Program Features and more for www.afropop.org.

Marketing/PR/Events: Learn a wide range of marketing techniques, from niche to grassroots.  Lend your strategic mind and graphic eye to help us get the word out!

Create Your Own Track: What would YOU like to do?  We’re always willing to create a new track or combine tracks just for you!

Praise for Internships at Afropop Worldwide:
“The internship gave me freedom to study and write about the wealth of music and artists that I discovered, to learn the technical skills of website management and radio production…My work at Afropop was always stimulating, even general “office” tasks, which consumed very little, if any, of my workday, were fun in the laid back environment of the office.  Despite how relaxed the office was, Afropop maintained an impeccably high level of professionalism.  Sean and Banning always took my writing seriously and gave me invaluable feedback and constructive criticism.  The internship also allowed me to hear incredible music and artists live that I never knew existed.”
--Miller Nuttle, Wesleyan ‘09

“At Afropop Worldwide you get to do it all. Prior to this internship, I interned at several major labels were I had little diversity in my assigned tasks. Upon starting at Afropop, I was given the opportunity to learn and manage several projects once I became comfortable. I got the chance to do everything from fundraising for the company to updating the majority of the webpages to managing the street team. If you’re searching for an internship that will enhance and grow your current skill set, you should definitely consider Afropop Worldwide. Plus you get to listen and learn about wonderful, dynamic music to which you may have not otherwise been exposed.”
--RaShonda Reeves, NYU, M.A.’08, Howard University, B.A. ‘06

About YOU:

·        Hard-working, energetic, able to work independently.

·        Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

·        Microsoft Office Expertise and Internet Experience.

·        Able to work at least 24 hours/week

·        Passion for music a big plus

·        HTML/Web publishing a plus

·        Language skills a plus (French, Spanish, Portuguese)

·        Must have strong references.

How to Apply:
Please send a detailed cover letter (specify WHY you think you’d be a good fit) and resumé to

Matt Payne
Operations Manager
matt@afropop.org
FAX: 718-398-6433
World Music Productions, 688 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Afropop Worldwide is an Equal Opportunity Employer. People of color are encouraged to apply.

Learn More About Us:
www.afropop.org
www.myspace.com/afropop
www.youtube.com/user/afropopworldwide
Twitter: @afropopww

www.afropop.org