Now Recruiting 5 participants!
In partnership with the Africana Digital Humanities Lab at Jackson State University, Scott Ford Houses (SFH), Inc. is selecting 5 Southern Black girls/women to participate in a hands-on training cohort focused on digital humanities (DH) and community storytelling. This project is supported by the Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium through the Dream Fund. 

This program supports participants in building practical skills to document community knowledge, preserve cultural memory, and create public-facing digital work.

​

About the Cohort
Digital humanities blends storytelling, history, culture, and technology. In this cohort, participants will learn how to responsibly collect stories, shape narratives, and use accessible digital tools to share community histories in meaningful ways.
Participants will be supported through a guided learning experience that emphasizes:

• Care, consent, and respect in story stewardship

• Skills-building and confidence (beginners welcome)

• Collaboration and leadership development

• Creating work that can be shared publicly (with permission)

​

What You’ll Learn
Participants will receive training in:

• Digital storytelling and narrative development

• Oral history basics (interviewing, listening, and documentation)

• Community-based research practices

• Organizing and describing stories/archives (intro to metadata)

• Mapping and visual storytelling tools (intro level)

• Creating a digital project suitable for a portfolio, school, or career pathway

No prior experience is required.

​

Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:

• Identify as a Black girl or woman

• Be a high school junior/senior or undergraduate sophomore/junior

• Reside in Mississippi or the broader Southern region

• Demonstrate interest in history, maternal health, policy, digital humanities, public health, or social justice

• Commit to the 6-month fellowship period (approximately 3–5 hours/week)

• Participate in community events and the final public showcase

​

Program Structure
Duration: 6 months (2026)
Format: Hybrid (virtual training + in-person activities)
Stipend: Provided to each fellow upon completion
Travel and other expenses will be covered
Mentorship: Fellows receive guided mentorship from historians, health advocates, and policy professionals

Culminating Showcase
The fellowship will conclude with a public showcase featuring:
Digital maps and database demonstrations
Oral history excerpts
Policy insights and advocacy recommendations
Community reflections

This event will position fellows as emerging leaders in Black maternal health research, data justice, and policy advocacy.
 

Time Commitment
Attend a monthly virtual training and complete online activities. Cohort format details will be shared with selected participants, including the schedule and participation expectations.

 

How to Apply
Application Deadline: February 12
Click Here to Apply