Advocacy & Development Fellow

Detroit, MI
Internship
Student (College)
About MBBA
The Michigan Black Business Alliance (MBBA) is the leading voice for Black entrepreneurship in Michigan. Our mission is to help close the racial wealth gap by advocating for policies, creating programs, and building partnerships that lead to thriving, profitable Black-owned businesses. Through bold leadership, cultural connection, and intentional systems-building, we connect Black businesses to capital, resources, and opportunity.

Position Summary
The Advocacy & Development Fellow supports MBBA’s external affairs work across policy research and advocacy, fundraising and grant development, and external partnerships. This is a hands-on role for a college student, graduate student, law student, or recent graduate who wants substantive experience in public policy, nonprofit development, stakeholder engagement, and economic development while working directly with the Director of External Affairs. This is a 10-month position from August 2026 - May 2027. 

Key Responsibilities
  • Conduct research on policy issues affecting Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs, including local / state legislation, ordinances, regulations, and economic-development issues.
  • Assist with drafting policy memos, briefing documents, ordinance summaries, legislative talking points, one-page briefs, and plain-language policy materials for non-expert audiences.
  • Maintain and update MBBA’s policy tracker by monitoring relevant bills, ordinances, and policy developments at the city and state levels.
  • Support policy efforts by developing surveys, preparing policy communications, and assisting with events such as legislative meetings, community forums, and advocacy convenings.
  • Conduct prospect research to identify foundation, corporate, and government funding opportunities aligned with MBBA’s mission and priorities.
  • Assist with first drafts of grant applications, letters of inquiry, funding proposals, and grant-reporting narratives; help gather data and supporting documentation for submissions.
  • Maintain grants and development tracking tools, including prospect lists, funding deadlines, reporting requirements, and relevant relationship notes.
  • Support MBBA’s external relationship management with elected officials, corporate partners, CDFIs, community organizations, and other stakeholders by preparing meeting materials, tracking follow-up items, and researching prospective partners.
  • Assist with drafting partnership proposals, collaboration materials, stakeholder communications, and other external-facing documents as assigned.

WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH
You’ll report to the Director of External Affairs and collaborate with team members across MBBA’s programs, membership, operations, finance, and administrative functions. The role will also provide exposure to elected officials, funders, corporate partners, community organizations, and other external stakeholders as appropriate.

Qualifications
  • Currently pursuing or recently completed an undergraduate or graduate degree in political science, public policy, public administration, law, nonprofit management, communications, economic development, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
  • Strong research, writing, and communication skills, with the ability to synthesize information and write clearly for multiple audiences.
  • Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and comfort managing multiple projects and deadlines at once.
  • Demonstrated interest in policy, advocacy, fundraising, economic development, nonprofit work, or community-based organizations.
  • Comfortable with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office; experience with spreadsheets, project-management tools, grant research, or policy tracking is a plus.
  • Self-directed, curious, and comfortable conducting research independently while asking questions when additional context or direction is needed.
  • Sound judgment and professionalism when working with organizational information and external stakeholders.
  • Familiarity with Detroit or Michigan’s policy landscape, city government, or community and economic-development ecosystem is a plus.
  • Genuine interest in Black entrepreneurship, economic development, and MBBA’s mission.
  • Detroit-based and able to work in-person throughout the fellowship.

MBBA is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply. We encourage you to learn more about the MBBA's mission and programs at https://blackbizalliance.com
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