Sonnet Yancey

Sonnet Yancey, Intern

Sonnet Yancey, who uses she/they pronouns, joined Safe & Just Michigan in the fall of 2023 for a two-semester internship working organization-wide and under the guidance of the Chief Operating Officer Kate McCracken. 

Yancey is passionate about many social justice issues and is excited to learn the organizational and technical skills needed to make a difference. Her long-term career goals include operating in a leadership and evaluation capacity within the nonprofit sector.

“Non-profit organizations are uniquely interconnected with their communities and are able to adapt. I’m excited to work in an environment that benefits from each person’s perspective, strengths and interests, and am grateful to SJM for the opportunity to serve alongside staff with diverse professional and lived experiences,” they said.

Prior to serving as an intern, Yancey has been the treasurer for Michigan State University’s North Neighborhood queer caucus. She is currently part of efforts to create a macro social work organization for undergraduate and graduate students at Michigan State. Macro social work focuses on addressing inequalities on a community and societal level and encompasses work in community organizing, non-profits, research and policy change.

Yancey is scheduled to complete their undergraduate coursework in spring 2024 from Michigan State University’s School of Social Work with minors in human behavior & social services and leadership of integrated learning, and a certificate in nonprofit leadership from the National Association of Social Workers. After graduation, they will pursue a master’s in social work with a focus in program evaluation and community organizing. Yancey resides in East Lansing.