Smith Davidson Leadership Initiative
The goal of the Smith Davidson Leadership Initiative is to recruit, select, and train Johnson C. Smith University and Davidson College students to become leaders and public servants who combat structural inequality through research, policy, advocacy, and community engagement.
SDLI connects students to impactful summer internships while offering professional and academic training year-round. To support your success, the program provides stipends that help cover housing, transportation, and other living expenses.
You may be a great fit for our next cohort if you are:
- A sophomore enrolled at Johnson C. Smith University or Davidson College
- Interested in and willing to commit to a full time paid internship in the summer of 2026 & 2027
- Passionate about public policy, leadership and social justice
- Looking to secure funding for policy-based research opportunities
Application Process
1.) Research: Attend an information session and learn more about SDLI's requirements.
2.) Application: Apply by November 30 to join the next cohort.
3.) Selection: SDLI leadership will review applications and choose the next cohort of participants.
4.) Invitation: Applicants will receive decision updates by January 15, 2026.
5.) Acceptance & Orientation: At the time of your acceptance, you will receive information for the new cohort orientation. Attendance is required.
Meet Our Cohorts
We train students to tackle social inequities by focusing on institutional barriers and inequities in constraints so that people in Charlotte, especially those who have been historically marginalized, can live to their fullest potentials.
- Jenna Alhosaini (Davidson College)
- Micaela Jones (Johnson C. Smith University)
- Jacqueline Llivicota (Davidson College)
- Romeo Norris (Davidson College)
- Cidney Stowe (Johnson C. Smith University)
- Samyra Sutton (Johnson C. Smith University)
- Brooke Adams (Davidson College)
- Lyric Bailey (Davidson College)
- Jayona Griffin (Johnson C. Smith University)
- Arieouance Gibson (Johnson C. Smith)
- Kira King (Johnson C. Smith University)
- Ja’Darius Littlejohn (Johnson C. Smith University)
- Jordyn Scott (Davidson College)
- Emma Begley-Collier (Davidson College)
- Arianna Berrios (Davidson College)
- Jayla Davis (Davidson College)
- Kayla Johnson (Davidson College)
- Aniya Jones (Johnson C. Smith University)
- Sophia Ludt (Davidson College)
- Nikhil Basu (Davidson College)
- Ione Brewer (Johnson C. Smith University)
- Chayil Bullock (Johnson C. Smith University)
- Hollis Plexico (Davidson College)
- Bernice Saladin (Davidson College)
- Kamryn Walker (Davidson College)
- Jay’La Evans (Davidson College)
- Kennedy Petties (Davidson College)
- Michael Yen (Davidson College)