Emerging storytellers launch SPEL summer 2026
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What happens when emerging storytellers from different backgrounds come together with a shared passion for culture and journalism? SPEL Summer 2026 is finding out.
A new semester of storytelling is underway as interns from Washington, D.C., Boston and across the country begin the summer 2026 session of the Storytelling Program for Experiential Learning (SPEL) at Hola Cultura. Bringing together students and recent graduates from diverse backgrounds, SPEL offers participants more than an internship opportunity — it is a space to strengthen creative writing skills, connect with culture and grow in confidence as communicators.
SPEL meets weekly on Tuesdays, where participants receive professional development training, hear from guest speakers and collaborate in interactive story labs to create culturally focused journalism and digital content.
This summer’s program specialized teams include Society and Culture, Arts and Humanities and Oral History, where interns produce stories centered on Latine culture, art, history and lived experiences. The Social Media team works to promote stories produced by other interns and engage audiences across digital platforms, while the Copy Editing team edits stories for clarity, accuracy and strong narrative flow before publication. Together, the teams work to create impactful stories that strengthen cultural connection and representation within Latine communities.
New social media intern Amanda Bocanegra, a recent graduate from the University of Houston-Downtown, said she joined SPEL to reconnect with her culture and improve her Spanish. She said she initially felt nervous about applying.
“I wanted to get more involved, but I was also a little nervous because I don’t speak Spanish fluently,” Bocanegra said. “But then I realized this was an opportunity for me to connect and grow.”
Since joining the program, Bocanegra said she has already felt welcomed by the environment and enjoys working alongside other interns.
“Everybody’s very collaborative,” she said. “It feels like a safe space to learn and grow.”
Bocanegra said the program is helping her evolve creatively as a storyteller while strengthening her understanding of how journalism and social media intersect.
“Even though I’m working as a social media intern, I feel like that’s still an opportunity to share stories,” Bocanegra said. “SPEL gives me the opportunity to learn how to be better at journalism.”
“I really enjoy the mission of SPEL,” she said. “Once you enter the workforce, you’re often expected to already know certain things, but SPEL gives you the opportunity to learn. If there is an error, there’s a fellow there to help you out. I am thankful for that opportunity.”
Throughout the summer, Bocanegra said she hopes to continue building her portfolio while networking with fellow interns.
As the Summer 2026 session begins, interns are already building meaningful connections and preparing to contribute thoughtful, community-centered journalism throughout the semester.
For Benjamin Mack, a junior at Jackson-Reed High School in Northwest Washington, D.C., the program offered a chance to expand his experience in journalism while engaging more deeply with language and culture. Mack, a new editorial intern for Hola Cultura’s Society and Culture team, said he learned about the opportunity through his Advanced Placement (AP) Spanish teacher.
“I saw it as an amazing way to continue practicing my Spanish,” said Mack, adding that he’s excited about the opportunity “not only to strengthen my writing but also deepen my understanding of different cultures, especially since I plan to study political science and international studies.” This opportunity also allows him to connect more with the Spanish language, he said.
Reflecting on the beginning of the summer program, Mack said, “It’s been pretty good. I’ve definitely enjoyed meeting people and getting to write about things I don’t normally write about.”
Mack also emphasized how he appreciates the opportunity to collaborate with people from different backgrounds and experiences. Unlike traditional classroom group projects, in SPEL, he can engage with interns of different ages and perspectives.
“It enables me to practice listening and learning from other people,” Mack said, “and the ability to talk to people who both know a lot more than I do and have a lot of wisdom to give.”
As the summer continues, Mack said he hopes to become more direct in his storytelling.
“I want to become a better writer,” he said. Mack said he is taking AP courses next year, “that really involve understanding what it means to be direct in your writing.”
He also said that he hopes the experience will also strengthen his ability to take on new challenges as the program progresses.
“I’m looking for the ability to prove to colleges and employers that I am capable of doing hard things,” Mack said, “and this is a hard thing. I want to perform at my highest level during the summer program and show that we at Hola Cultura are capable of more than most people expect.”
– Story by Zakiya Osivwemu Ramirez
– Copy edited by Channing Matha and Valerie Izquierdo
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