NRBP and Renaissance Newark Foundation Partner with pocstock to Launch Creative Internship Program

Newark, NJ (August 19, 2025) – The Newark Regional Business Partnership (NRBP) and its 501(c)(3) affiliate, the Renaissance Newark Foundation (RNF), partnered this summer with pocstock, an NRBP member and Newark-based content and data company, to host a hands-on creative internship program for five students. The initiative was made possible through the  City of Newark’s Summer Youth Employment Program  (SYEP), an initiative of the Newark Workforce Development Board, also a member of NRBP, which connects teenagers and young adults with enriching work opportunities.
 
Over the course of the summer, students gained firsthand experience in photography, videography, and content production—both in pocstock’s studios and out in the Newark community. Guided by pocstock’s professional team, interns explored every stage of the creative process, from concept development and location scouting to camera operation, intellectual property, and preparing content for use as AI data.
 
“This collaboration reflects the very heart of NRBP and the Renaissance Newark Foundation’s missions,” said NRBP’s President and CEO Ferlanda Fox Nixon. “By connecting our members with opportunities to support young people, we are strengthening Newark’s economic competitiveness today while preparing the next generation for success tomorrow. Programs like this demonstrate how education, hands-on experience, and civic participation can come together to fuel growth and create lasting pathways of opportunity for our community.”
 
For Derrick Larane, Chief Operating Officer at pocstock, the program reflects both a personal commitment and the company’s values: “I was once an intern, and that experience set the tone for my career. Internships work and they matter. pocstock is all about partnership, and as a member of the Newark business community, it’s important for us to collaborate with organizations like NRBP to leverage our strengths and create programs that make a real impact.”
 
To support the program, Reworld™, a leader in sustainable waste solutions and a member of NRBP, generously donated funds to RNF. This donation enabled the purchase of professional production equipment used by the interns throughout the summer.

“Just as we work to create carbon-negative outcomes that support our business and community partners, we also believe strongly in investing in the next generation,” says Aja Alexander, Community Relations Specialist, Reworld™. “Supporting this program allowed us to provide students with the tools and opportunities to unlock their creativity while building confidence and career skills. We are proud to partner with NRBP, RNF, and pocstock to help open doors for Newark’s young people and empower them to become future leaders and innovators.”
 
Guided by pocstock’s experienced professionals, including Nicole Richardson, Content and Production Coordinator, and Steven Russell, Head of Content, students received personalized instruction and mentorship. The team’s approach fostered both technical growth and creative confidence.
 
“I loved getting to teach them something new, learn about their aspirations and interests, and expose them to the possibilities of what they can do next,” shared Richardson.
 
Russell emphasized the mutual benefits of the program: “The students have a great energy that is intoxicating to be around. Once they’re given the tools to create, experiment, and even make mistakes, you see their personalities emerge. Working with these students benefits us just as much as it benefits them. I hope they carry these skills and do something cool, even if they ultimately do not want to be photographers or videographers.”
 
The impact of the program is best captured in the words of the students themselves, who reflected on what the opportunity meant to them.

• Emily Ramos: “This internship was very hands-on, and that was my favorite part.  We learned about lighting, editing, and the full lifecycle of content creation. It gave me practice for my career, strengthened my confidence, and even let me use a real camera for the first time. I felt comfortable here—it was welcoming and fun.”
• Jasion Davis: “This was a lot of fun. I participated in SYEP last year, but this year I was more engaged because the work was so hands-on. I learned how to use a camera and tools like a reflector. It was a good experience working in a production studio.”
• Kobe Edmonds: “This was a different experience for me. I’ve had other jobs, but this one was interactive and fun. I liked being around the camera and serving as a production manager on the commercials.”
• Solomon Simmons: “This was my first internship, and I want to do it again next year. I learned about composition, lighting, and how to be creative while working with others. It helped me develop new skills and gave me the chance to get paid while doing something I enjoyed.”
• Holland Brown: “I haven’t had many jobs, but I liked this one. Everyone was respectful, and I enjoyed meeting the other interns. Photography was new to me, but it was cool.”

 
This summer’s internship program not only built skills to prepare the interns for a possible future in content production and AI industries, but also created lasting memories for the students, mentors, and partners who made it possible.
 
 
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About Newark Regional Business Partnership
Newark Regional Business Partnership (NRBP) is the premier chamber of commerce serving the Greater Newark region. NRBP’s mission is to strengthen the business community through connections, resources, and advocacy. The organization connects its members to partners and resources that can help strengthen their business and increase the economic competitiveness of Newark and the region. For more information, visit www.newarkrbp.org
 
About pocstock
pocstock is a content and data company at the intersection of culture, creativity, and technology. The company provides authentic photography, video, and datasets that represent people of color across the full range of human diversity.  Headquartered in Newark, NJ, pocstock’s mission is to help companies tell more inclusive stories and build stronger connections with their audiences. For more information, visit www.pocstock.com