Summer with a Pinckney Scholar: Henry Jones

Unless you’re a first-time reader, you are likely familiar with our Reverend Pinckney Scholars Program—created in response to the Mother Emanuel Church shooting. This program aims to increase access to higher education for African American students in Beaufort, Charleston, and Jasper counties. Now in its third year and 30 scholars strong, this program’s inspiring students continue to excel in the classroom and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Fueled by ambition and the legacy of this program’s namesake, their commitment to excellence does not stop when the school year ends.

This back-to-school blog series will allow readers a first-person glimpse into the exciting summer work and travels of our Pinckney Scholars.

From Henry Jones, Class of 2016 Pinckney Scholar:

My summer experience was amazing and life changing. I was selected to a prestigious internship program for The Institute for Responsible Citizenship. The Institute’s primary goal is to inspire the nation’s best and brightest African American men to use their extraordinary talents to serve others. Twelve African American male scholars were selected to participate in this year’s internship.  Among the ranks of scholars and alumni are: Rhodes Scholars, Fulbright Scholars, Truman Scholars, Phi Beta Kappa Scholars, Woodrow Wilson Fellows, and more.

The Institute for Responsible Citizenship selects scholars from all over the United States. They have a wide variety of interests and represent small liberal arts colleges, large universities, Ivy League institutions, and historically Black colleges and universities. Program completers have been accepted to the nation’s top law schools and leading graduate programs. Today, the alumni are teachers, ordained ministers, accountants, entrepreneurs, and rising stars at Fortune 500 companies. All of them are engaged in public and community service and credit this program with giving them a head start.

I am only the third person from South Carolina to be selected and was very excited and grateful. I was blessed to take the skills I learned at the Community Foundation during our conferences such as interview skills, interpersonal skills and so much more. I was able to put them into action and from this I received an internship with the National Football League Players Association.  Not only did I have an internship, I also met with very important groups in Washington, DC such as the Heritage Foundation, Congressman John Lewis, and General Colin Powell. The Institute for Responsible Citizenship is a two-summer program and I cannot wait until I go back again next summer.