Fall 2026 Communications Internship

ArchCity Defenders•Saint Louis, MO

3d•Onsite

About The Position

ArchCity Defenders (ACD) is a holistic legal advocacy organization that combats the criminalization of poverty and state violence, especially in communities of color. ACD’s foundation of civil and criminal legal representation, social services, impact litigation, policy and media advocacy, and community collaboration achieves and inspires justice and equitable outcomes for people throughout the St. Louis region and beyond. ArchCity Defenders envisions a society liberated from systems of oppression where the promise of justice and racial equity is realized; communities where our approach to public safety prioritizes investment in well-being, health, and transformation without relying on criminalization and incarceration; and people living freely in their communities, thriving regardless of their race or income. ACD’s Communications team educates the community about the organization's mission, initiatives, and services; advocates for issues important to our client community; supports the legal work of ACD’s staff; provides a platform for our clients to share their stories on their terms; coordinates local, national, and international media relationships; and supports the marketing and fundraising efforts of ACD’s Development team. ACD’s media advocacy has been instrumental in exposing injustice, countering misrepresentation and distortion of poor people and people of color in mainstream media narratives, and impacting community conversation on issues impacting our region. ArchCity Defenders is looking for interns to join its dynamic and innovative communications team. Communications interns function as a part of an interdisciplinary team and coordinate with attorneys and staff to support ACD’s mission and expand our reach. A successful intern needs to be assertive, independent, persistent, empathetic, proactive, and flexible. They will need to take initiative, use problem-solving skills, and become a strong advocate for themselves and others. There are two types of internships: Communications Intern and Digital Media Intern.

Requirements

Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and curiosity about learning new systems
Experience/interest in developing accessible and relevant content for social media
Experience editing and drafting website content
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Detail-oriented approach to working in a team-driven organization
High capacity for problem-solving and self-direction and the ability to work independently within time constraints
Flexible and able to respond appropriately to ACD’s changing needs
Commitment to racial and economic justice and systems change
Cultural awareness and sensitivity toward diverse populations; awareness of structures of power, privilege, and oppression
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and curiosity about learning new systems

Responsibilities

Present innovative communications/media ideas
Create written content and take pictures for print publications, events, marketing collateral materials, and our blog, the ACD Justice Journal
Create written content, take pictures, and produce videos for ACD’s website and social media channels
Track earned news media clips (radio, online, print, television)
Conduct issue and policy research on social, legal, racial and/or economic issues
Attend communications update meetings as needed
Support the mission of ACD and work with staff to support that mission through communications services
Any other duties as assigned to help the Communications team do its best work
Brainstorm design concepts and draft initial designs for review
Assist with the design of ACD materials, including graphics for social media, print publications, events, and marketing collateral materials
Update the website with various content using WordPress
Present social media metrics reports and make suggestions to improve communications strategy