Explore Charleston’s Program for Minority College Students Returns for Third Year

Press Release

Explore Charleston announces the third class of its Intern Cultural Enrichment Program (ICEP), an initiative that connects underrepresented minority college students with world-class internship opportunities in the Greater Charleston Area’s travel and hospitality industry. 

ICEP involves a ten-week leadership development program that complements the paid internships. Students participate in a weekly curriculum curated by Explore Charleston that introduces them to the community and local culture, fosters interaction with civic and business leaders, cultivates peer relationships and develops business and communication skills to support personal and professional growth.

“It’s been a pleasure welcoming the class of 2023, ten talented students who have immediately demonstrated their potential and sincere desire to engage in our community,” said Helen Hill, CEO of Explore Charleston. “Many of our industry’s leaders started their professional journeys as interns, so internships are a logical way to introduce these students to our community and its attributes as a world-class destination.”

The ICEP concept originated in 2020 with support from Explore Charleston’s Board of Governors and insight from the Heart for Hospitality Steering Committee. Since then, Explore Charleston has worked continuously to build relationships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other schools, recruit candidates, and collaborate with local travel industry partners interested in hosting interns.

“The program’s continued growth represents purposeful and powerful progress toward one of our key organizational goals: encouraging opportunities to recruit and develop individuals from diverse backgrounds into tourism and hospitality. It is essential that we embrace individuals with varied perspectives and backgrounds to collectively improve and shape the future of our industry,” said Hill.

The ICEP class of 2023 includes ten students from six universities who are completing internships with twelve area employers.

The universities represented in 2023 include Atlanta Technical College, College of Charleston, Morgan State University, Johnson & Wales University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Virginia State University.

Halls Chophouse and Taco Boy join an existing lineup of employers including The Charleston Place, Charlestowne Hotels, Hilton – Embassy Suites Charleston Harbor and Embassy Suites Historic District, Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Waterfront/Downtown, Hotel Bennett, Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Lowcountry Hotels – Hilton Garden Inn / Homewood Suites Summerville, and Wild Dunes Resort.

“The relationships with universities, employers, and our greater industry partners are a driving force for this program. Through these connections, we not only introduce internships but also provide students with resources, tools, and valuable lessons relevant to the post-graduate job opportunities they hope to pursue,” said Marc Gibson, Director of Inclusion & Engagement at Explore Charleston. “The insights they gain and the connections they make through our program can shape the trajectory of their professional careers.”

In addition to welcoming the class of 2023, ICEP marked an important milestone this summer with three alums landing full-time opportunities in the market. Lamont Ferrebee and Kyonna Bryant, both members of the ICEP class of 2022, returned to the area after graduating from Atlanta Technical College. Lamont accepted a Sous Chef position with Queen Street Hospitality at 82 Queen. Kyonna is a Line Cook with The Charleston Place at Charleston Grill. Iyanna Freeman, class of 2021, graduated from Benedict College and is now working as a Special Events Associate at the International African American Museum.

“It’s so rewarding to see the program achieve one of its ultimate objectives, to help students secure roles with industry employers in our region after graduation. The feedback we have received from students, schools, employers, and graduates of the program bolsters our faith in the effectiveness and importance of the work for diversity, equity, and inclusion that lies at the core of ICEP,” said Gibson.

The program concludes with a pinning ceremony on August 1 at The Charleston Place.

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