NC Justice Center 2023 Summer Interns

The NC Justice Center is thrilled to welcome our 2023 Summer Interns! Learn more about them and why they chose to spend their summer with us this year:

Anum Imran – Legal Intern:

Name of your school and field of study: George Mason University, Law Student

Where are you from: Concord, NC

Why you chose to intern at the Justice Center: I first learned about the Justice Center when I participated in the Budget & Tax Center’s Summer Policy Institute in 2019. Since then, I have been eager to reconnect with the Justice Center and be a part of the incredible work done here to support low-income North Carolinians.

 One interesting fact about you: I spent 10 years growing up abroad! I globetrotted between three different countries during that time: Pakistan, the UAE, and Switzerland.

Grace Zalkind – Development Intern:

Name of your school and field of study: University of Lynchburg – Sociology and Human Services

Where are you from: Raleigh, NC

Why you chose to intern at the Justice: I chose to intern at the JC because I know what a great organization this is, how many people rely on our services, and I wanted to be a part of that!

 One interesting fact about you: I am on the swim team at the University of Lynchburg.

Jasmin Beñas – Health Advocacy Intern:

Name of your school and field of study: UNC-Chapel Hill, Masters in Public Policy (Health Policy concentration)

Where are you from: Knightdale, NC

Why you chose to intern at the Justice: As someone who’s been involved in local organizing and advocacy from a young age, I’ve always admired the JC’s work. The opportunity to work with HAP team perfectly aligns with my current academic/professional goals!

One interesting fact about you: I consider myself a pro-thrifter.

Joy Burnett – Legal Intern:

Name of your school and field of study: North Carolina Central University School of Law, Juris Doctor Candidate

Where are you from: I am originally from Northern Virginia, outside Washington D.C., but have lived in Southwest Wake County since I was 12 years old.

Why you chose to intern at the Justice Center: I have a passion for social justice issues and serving the marginalized in our community, and I love everything that the Justice Center stands for. I hope to practice law in a way that can influence policy decisions in N.C. in the future, and the Justice Center seemed like the perfect place to begin learning how to do that. The different projects at the Justice Center offer an opportunity to learn more about the practice of law in several different areas.

One interesting fact about you: My interest in a legal career was first sparked by my volunteer work as a Guardian ad Litem for children in foster care in Wake County.

Priscila Morales – Workers’ Rights Intern:

Name of your school and field of study: California State University Sacramento. Communications with a concentration in intercultural studies and a minor in political science.

Where are you from: I am from Colusa, CA

Why you chose to intern at the Justice: I am a part of Student action with farmworkers

One interesting fact about you: I am ambidextrous.

Zoe Terner – Legal Intern:

Name of your school and field of study: Duke University School of Law, JD

Where are you from: Palm Beach County, Florida

Why you chose to intern at the Justice Center: Before coming to law school, I was a grassroots organizer in the gun violence prevention movement and worked in the policy space. Now, as a law student, I’m excited to learn about the intersection of policy and litigation to create change.

One interesting fact about you: I have three pets, and one of them is a one-eyed black cat named Odin.