Meet the Summer 2024 Interns

The COWRIE Initiative, home of BankBlackUSA, is excited to announce the hiring of six more interns. Thanks to the generous donations from individuals, organizations, and institutions, COWRIE offered paid internships to Kennedy Austin, Bryan Bermeo, Jurnee Jessie, Davion McArthur, Jeffery Sims, and Cailynn Winford this summer. These six outstanding people will play an instrumental role in our ongoing operational and programmatic work to make a difference in our communities.

Kennedy Austin is a rising Junior at Paul Quinn College studying finance. Upon graduation, she hopes to work in the Venture Capital space, helping provide capital to Black-owned tech start-ups nationwide. Aside from professional and academic experience, Kennedy is passionate about service within her community. 

Bryan Bermeo is a recent graduate from Brown University where he obtained a B.A. in Economics on the business track. From the southwest side of Chicago and the son of two Ecuadorian immigrant parents, he has a diverse urban spirit and holds a deep regard for the first-generation experience. This summer, Bryan will be focusing on updating GIS data, producing digestible story maps of current resources, and producing blog posts.

Bryan is also interested in projects related to K-12 public education, community building, and immigration activism. In the fall of 2024, he will begin a full-time position as a first-year associate in the Boston Consulting Group’s Chicago office.

Jurnee Jessie is a recent graduate of Howard University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs. While setting her sights on law school in Fall 2025, Jurnee is passionate about giving back to her community. Raised in the Philadelphia suburbs, she actively volunteers at local food pantries and after-school programs, focusing on mentorship and empowering underprivileged youth.

Beyond community service, Jurnee is a dedicated advocate for the arts and enjoys expressing herself through dance. Through her involvement with BankBlackUSA and the Cowrie Initiative, Jurnee is looking forward to contributing to the Capital B Blog with compelling content and expanding the reach of the Black Bank Lists.

Davion McArthur is a recent graduate from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas with a B.A in Digital Media Innovations with a concentration in multi-media production. With his degree, he aspires to be a design editor so he can contribute what he’s learned to something already existing then move on to create his own designs from the inspirations he’d receive.

Davion believes that through working with BankBlackUSA and COWRIE he can both enhance his skills and assist in making sure that their messages are portrayed in a way everyone will understand and want to understand. He will be working mostly with the design and publications side of projects over this summer.

Jeffrey Sims is a recent graduate with a B.S. in Economics and a minor in Finance, featuring a pre-law concentration from Florida State University. His career aspirations are firmly planted in corporate law, enriched by extensive academic research into business strategy, legal consulting, and corporate governance. This background has equipped him with a robust understanding of economic principles and market behaviors, directing his career goals towards roles in corporate law firms where he can combine legal analysis with advisory duties.

Jeffrey’s interests extend into trial advocacy and specific corporate legal fields such as patent, tax, and corporate law. Committed to justice, equality, and societal improvement, he actively participates in volunteering efforts and leverages his research skills to contribute to legal reforms. In addition to his legal and economic pursuits, Jeffrey is a resident DJ and a promoter for a record label, bringing his passion for music and community engagement together. Currently, he works with BankBlackUSA, supporting their mission of promoting economic empowerment and community growth through financial education and advocacy. Jeffrey is driven by the conviction that ethical legal practices and smart corporate strategies are essential in promoting economic fairness and community growth, aiming for a future where economic and legal frameworks are both equitable and innovative.

Cailynn Winford, a rising sophomore at North Carolina Central University (NCCU) studying Sports Medicine in the Kinesiology Department and is passionate about shaping public discourse around vital social issues, particularly economic justice. Outside of the classroom, she is also a dedicated member of the NCCU golf team.

In Cailynns mind there is no better feeling than a quiet early morning on the golf course. Cailynn aspires to use BlackBankUSA to learn how to make a meaningful impact by sharing knowledge and fostering intellectual growth.