Brightness in Black Content Creator Fellow

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Brightness in Black Content Creator Fellow

🔹 Company: StoryCorps

🔹 Location: Philadelphia, PA

🔹 Job Type: Part-Time, Grant/Initiative-Funded, Non-Exempt, Non-Union

🔹 Category: Initiatives - Brightness in Black

🔹 Date Posted: May 27, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: Entry Level

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Philadelphia, PA and Remote)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Creating short-form content and micro assets from new and archival Brightness in Black audio recordings.
• Conceiving, shooting, and editing original BiB video content for social media or the website.
• Conducting and editing person-on-the-street style video recordings during events.
• Supporting the Production team with BiB media projects.
• Facilitating onsite and virtual Brightness in Black signature audio recordings.

ASSUMPTION: This fellowship is designed for those interested in exploring oral history, media creation, community-based storytelling practices, and affecting narrative change in the Black community. Fellows will receive a comprehensive orientation and training in StoryCorps interview & archival methodology, community engagement practices, and content creation processes.

📋 Key Responsibilities

Content Creation (75%)

• Virtually attend weekly training, planning, learning, and work management sessions.
• Create short-form content and micro assets from new and archival Brightness in Black audio recordings.
• Conceive, shoot, and edit original BiB video content that can be used for social media or the website.
• Conduct and edit person-on-the-street style video recordings during events.
• Support the Production team with BiB media projects.

Audio Recording Facilitation (25%)

• Facilitate onsite and virtual Brightness in Black signature audio recordings arranged by StoryCorps staff.
• Travel to partner sites (organizations, groups, and institutions) to record BIB interviews with participants identified by the partner.
• Welcome participants and guide them through the interview experience, asking questions when appropriate.
• Professionally represent StoryCorps to the public and actively promote the StoryCorps mission.
• Act as interviewer with solo participants.
• Manage technical aspects of recording the interviews, including operating and maintaining radio-quality digital recorders, mixers, microphones, and other equipment.
• Perform reporting, data entry, and archival processing tasks to ensure preservation of interviews and an accurate record of the day’s activity.
• Fellows may be required to travel and facilitate recordings and content creation during out-of-state BIB pop-up events.
• Fellows may be required to work evenings, weekends, and/or holidays to meet the recording needs of the community partners. (Work schedules will be planned in advance.)
• Perform other duties to support Brightness in Black as assigned.

ASSUMPTION: Fellows must be willing to travel for scheduled out-of-state events (travel costs covered by StoryCorps).

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Associate or bachelor's degree, ideally in video or multimedia production or a similar field of study.

Experience: None specified.

Required Skills:

• Familiarity with filming, lighting, and audio equipment, as well as basic editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci, Final Cut).
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively in a variety of ways (e.g., verbal, written, and visual).
• Dependable and organized, with effective time management skills.
• Able to work both independently and collaboratively, with or without direct supervision.
• Comfortable engaging with members of the public in a welcoming and respectful manner.
• Demonstrates cultural humility and the ability to contribute to an inclusive, equitable, and diverse work environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Understanding of content trends and best practices across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook.
• Proficiency in graphic design, including programs such as Canva.
• Prior experience with interviewing members of the public.
• Prior video or audio production experience.

ASSUMPTION: Candidates must reside in the Philadelphia metro area and be able to work both remotely and in person at Philadelphia-based locations (note: housing is not provided).

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $21.23/hr

Benefits:

• Personal and professional development through training, practical experience, and participation in a learning community guided by StoryCorps staff, community partners, and the Student Fellows within the cohort.
• The program is anchored by mindfulness practices to support the Fellows' ability to manage their well-being throughout the program and beyond.

Working Hours: 60% within the Philadelphia area.

ASSUMPTION: This position is not benefits-eligible.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Media Production

Company Size: 51-200 employees

Founded: 2003

Company Description:

• StoryCorps' mission is to help us believe in each other by illuminating the humanity and possibility in us all—one story at a time.
• Since 2003, more than 600,000 people, in all 50 states, have recorded StoryCorps interviews about their lives.
• The organization preserves and archives their recordings at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, the largest single collection of human voices ever gathered, and shares select stories with the public through StoryCorps’ podcast, NPR broadcasts, animated shorts, digital platforms, and best-selling books.
• These powerful human stories reflect the vast range of American experiences, engender empathy and connection, and remind us how much more we have in common than what divides us.
• StoryCorps is especially committed to capturing and amplifying voices least heard in the media.

Company Specialties:

• recording
• archiving
• interviewing
• audio production
• animations
• and community outreach & engagement

Company Website: www.storycorps.org

ASSUMPTION: StoryCorps records, shares, and preserves stories from across the country, with a strong commitment to capturing and amplifying voices least heard in the media.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Entry Level

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Program Director, Brightness in Black

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (Philadelphia, PA and Remote)

Growth Opportunities:

• Fellows will receive a comprehensive orientation and training in StoryCorps interview & archival methodology, community engagement practices, and content creation processes.
• The fellowship provides personal and professional development, through training, practical experience, and participation in a learning community guided by StoryCorps staff, community partners, and the Student Fellows within the cohort.
• The program is anchored by mindfulness practices to support the Fellows' ability to manage their well-being throughout the program and beyond.

ASSUMPTION: This fellowship is designed for those interested in exploring oral history, media creation, community-based storytelling practices, and affecting narrative change in the Black community.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (Philadelphia, PA and Remote)

Office Location(s): Philadelphia, PA

Geographic Context:

• The Philadelphia metro area offers a diverse range of neighborhoods, cultural attractions, and historical sites.
• The city is known for its rich musical heritage, with iconic venues like the Kimmel Center and the Mann Center for the Performing Arts.
• Philadelphia is also home to numerous museums, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Barnes Foundation.

Work Schedule: The fellowship runs from May 27, 2025 to Dec 12, 2025.

ASSUMPTION: Candidates must reside in the Philadelphia metro area and be able to work both remotely and in person at Philadelphia-based locations (note: housing is not provided).

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Submit your application through the provided link.
• Complete a phone or video screening.
• Participate in a panel interview with StoryCorps staff and community partners.
• Finalists may be asked to complete a background check and provide references.

Key Assessment Areas:

• Interpersonal skills and communication.
• Cultural competency and humility.
• Technical skills related to video and audio production.
• Adaptability and problem-solving skills.

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this specific role.
• Demonstrate your understanding of StoryCorps' mission and the Brightness in Black initiative.
• Showcase your creativity and storytelling abilities through your application materials.

ATS Keywords: Content creation, video production, audio recording, community engagement, storytelling, oral history, media creation, Brightness in Black, Philadelphia metro area, remote work, hybrid work, mindfulness practices

ASSUMPTION: StoryCorps values diversity and encourages applications from people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and people of all ages, political beliefs, and cultures. The organization is committed to creating an inclusive and equitable work environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The fellowship requires a significant time commitment, with up to 60% of the work being local travel within the Philadelphia area.
• Fellows may be required to work evenings, weekends, and/or holidays to meet the recording needs of the community partners.
• The position is not benefits-eligible.
• The fellowship runs for a limited duration, ending on Dec 12, 2025.

ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to the nature of the fellowship and should be carefully considered by applicants.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on oral history, media creation, and community-based storytelling practices within the context of the Brightness in Black initiative.
• While there may be similar roles in video production or community engagement, this fellowship offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of these fields and contribute to narrative change in the Black community.
• Career paths for this role may vary, with opportunities for growth in oral history, media creation, community engagement, or related fields.

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should carefully consider their career goals and how this fellowship aligns with their long-term aspirations.

📝 Sample Projects

• Creating a short documentary about a local community event or initiative.
• Developing a social media campaign to promote a Brightness in Black event or story.
• Editing a podcast episode featuring interviews with local community members.

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are intended to give applicants an idea of the types of tasks they may encounter during the fellowship, but the actual projects may vary based on the needs of the Brightness in Black initiative and the skills of the fellows.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the primary responsibilities of the Program Director, Brightness in Black, and how will this role support their work?
• How does StoryCorps ensure the preservation and accessibility of the interviews and content created by the fellows?
• What opportunities are there for fellows to provide input and shape the direction of the Brightness in Black initiative?
• How does StoryCorps support the personal and professional development of its fellows?
• What are the key performance indicators for this role, and how will my success be measured?

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should use the interview to gain a deeper understanding of the role, the organization, and the Brightness in Black initiative, as well as to demonstrate their qualifications and enthusiasm for the position.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this specific role.
• Prepare for a phone or video screening and a panel interview with StoryCorps staff and community partners.
• If selected, complete a background check and provide references.
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your interview to inquire about the status of your application.

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.