As Told by Sharice Bryant | HDD Marketing Director
Upon joining the HDD team in 2023, I inherited a range of responsibilities from the previous Marketing Coordinator and introduced new strategies. By the fall of 2023, I took on the exciting role of supervising interns from the Seoul Institute of the Arts.
Each fall, HDD welcomes interns from the Seoul Institute of the Arts through our partnership with CultureHub and Intrax Global Internships. This international exchange program, based in Seoul, Korea, offers undergraduate students the opportunity to earn work-study credits through mentorship and collaboration. Interns take on roles tailored to their expertise, gaining hands-on experience in areas like marketing, media, and production while engaging with HDD’s performances and salons.
Photo by Fernando Mau
Stepping into this new role was a fast-paced and uncharted experience, but I embraced it as an opportunity to grow as a department head. In addition to learning my own responsibilities at HDD, I managed the entire selection process for the internship program. This included interviewing top students from diverse disciplines at Seoul Institute of the Arts, reviewing their resumes and portfolios, and crafting a detailed plan to guide the selected interns from September through December.
Since 2023, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with and mentoring eight remarkable students from the Seoul Institute of the Arts, representing fields like marketing, media and film, and arts management. Together, we’ve navigated the challenges of adapting to new environments. For the interns, this meant relocating to the United States, honing their English skills, and adjusting to the dynamic pace of life at HDD. For me, it has been a rewarding experience of leadership and cross-cultural learning.
This program has not only enriched the interns’ professional journeys but also deepened my own understanding of mentorship and global collaboration. It’s been an incredible experience watching these talented individuals thrive, and I’m excited to continue fostering connections that bridge creativity across borders.
Jules Kim and Yeuen Lim – Fall 2023
Jiwoo “Jules” Kim and Yueun Lim were the first Seoul Arts interns I had the pleasure of leading. They arrived in September, just a week before HDD was set to host our annual environmental festival, Ebb & Flow. This timing couldn’t have been more dynamic: we had recently wrapped the June edition of the festival and were collaborating with Heal the Bay and Ballona Creek Renaissance for Ebb & Flow: @thecreek as part of Coastal Cleanup Day.
Leading up to the event, Jules and Yueun approached every task with enthusiasm and a can-do attitude. They quickly immersed themselves in the mission of Ebb & Flow, learning about the festival’s role in bringing art and environmental advocacy together. On the day of the event, they captured content, tried Indian samosas for the first time, and enjoyed performances by local artists—a memorable start to their HDD journey.
L to R: Jules and Yueun!
Their next adventure was helping to execute HDD’s 38th Anniversary Celebration. This was a brand-new experience for all three of us and presented its own unique challenges. From handling promotional content to tackling event logistics, Jules and Yueun rose to the occasion. Yueun took the lead on editing reels and recap videos, demonstrating her creativity and attention to detail. During the gala, they built a photo booth and assisted our Media Associate, Fernando, with photographing guests. Their work was nothing short of phenomenal.
As this was my first time leading international interns—and since Jules and Yueun were living in the U.S. for an extended period—I was curious to learn more about their experiences beyond HDD. To foster their creativity and encourage reflection, I assigned final projects for them to present to the team. Jules and Yueun collaborated to produce an engaging two-minute video that showcased the fun activities they enjoyed in the U.S., from exploring new places to highlighting the tasks they accomplished during their time with HDD.
Final presentation day! Photo by Fernando Mau
Jules and Yueun were incredible interns, bringing creativity, energy, and dedication to every project they tackled. As my first experience leading international students, they made the transition seamless and rewarding. I’m deeply grateful for their invaluable contributions and the vibrant energy they brought to the HDD team!
Ah Young Kim, Rhu Tae Yeon, and Jinhui Jang – Spring & Summer 2024
After Jules and Yueun said their goodbyes, I assumed I wouldn’t see another set of interns until the fall of 2024—but I was pleasantly mistaken. In partnership with CultureHub, we welcomed two Seoul interns in the spring and another in the summer. Thrilled to have additional support during a busy planning period for our high-profile performance Herald In, Examine Throughout, I was equally excited to mentor more international students in the dynamic world of marketing and advertising and to see how their talents and perspectives could enrich our team.
Arriving at the HDD Nest in January were Rhu Tae Yeon and Ah Young Kim. While their stay was shorter than Jules and Yueun’s—just four weeks—their contributions were impactful. Rhu Tae Yeon, a creative advertising student at Seoul Arts, brought his design expertise to the table. He created promotional flyers for Herald In, Examine Throughout, and developed a 2024 sponsorship package for board members to share with potential sponsors. Meanwhile, Ah Young worked closely with Development Director Raven, Engagement Director Jessica, and Heidi to organize and file archived documents from the company’s storage room. These materials were prepared for submission to the Getty Museum, as part of Heidi’s upcoming 2025 installation into the renowned archives. She also edited a beautiful video highlighting HDD’s African-American dancers for Black History Month.
Me, Ah Young Kim, and Rhu Tae Yeon at Truth or Consequences: Unfolding the Untold 2024 | Photo by Mae Koo Photography
Although their short internship didn’t allow for as many events as Jules and Yueun experienced, Rhu Tae and Ah Young were able to attend the February edition of HDD’s beloved salon series, Truth or Consequences. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time for them to do a final project but their work shows that they learned a great deal during their stay.
Despite their limited time with us, Rhu Tae and Ah Young made a lasting impact. From curating marketing materials for Herald In to witnessing one of HDD’s signature events come to life, they proved to be invaluable team members. Their energy and creativity were greatly appreciated, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have worked with them.
Jinhui Jang’s Summer 2024 Journey
Jinhui, affectionately known as “Jin,” joined us during the summer for a short but impactful internship. Another talented addition through CultureHub, Jin was the first student we hosted from Seoul Arts’ film department. I vividly remember our initial interview—he came across as reserved yet confident, with an impressive command of the English language. His portfolio was the final confirmation that he was the perfect fit for the internship. I knew his filming and editing skills would be beneficial in bringing my marketing plans to life.
Jin’s first week coincided with yet another whirlwind event-planning period: Ebb & Flow: Exposition Park. It was an intense start—he worked all five days and filmed the tech rehearsal leading up to the festival. Despite the fast pace, Jin adapted quickly and made a significant impact during his time with us. Among his many contributions, he created a beautiful arts education video that showcased his talent and dedication.
In addition to his work, Jin enjoyed opportunities to explore the city. He participated in field trips to the Getty Museum alongside CultureHub and Plain Sight Archive’s summer interns and toured Paramount Studios, soaking in the vibrant arts and cultural scene of Los Angeles.
For his final project, Jin produced an incredible video that reflected on his journey—sharing his initial worries, triumphs, and realizations about coming to the U.S. and working with an arts organization. It was a deeply personal and engaging piece that highlighted his growth and creativity. You can watch it here.
Jin at his final presentation | Photo by Cathie Arteaga
Arthur Salazar: From Intern to Part-Time Team Member at HDD
Arthur is one of our standout interns-turned-part-time employees, and his story is one worth celebrating. He joined the HDD nest this past June under the supervision of our former Marketing & Communications Director, Raven Richard. As a first-generation U.S. citizen, Arthur’s journey has been marked by both challenges and triumphs, shaping him into the driven and resilient individual he is today. Unlike many, Arthur didn’t follow the traditional path of heading to college immediately after high school. Instead, he took a series of detours that ultimately led him to a four-month internship with HDD through the LA County Department of Arts & Culture program.
From day one, Arthur approached his responsibilities with grace and exceptional organizational skills. While primarily working with Raven, I had the privilege of collaborating with him on marketing initiatives. Much like Jin, who arrived just in time to support Ebb & Flow: Exposition Park, Arthur’s timing couldn’t have been better. At the time, I was grappling with strategies to create more engaging content to highlight this year’s artists and performances. Marketing at HDD was in a transitional phase, and I needed someone to help ideate and implement new approaches. Arthur stepped in with a compelling marketing presentation that identified current challenges and outlined actionable solutions. His ideas became the foundation for a fresh strategy, which we tested during Ebb & Flow’s promotional campaign. From creating trending content to tracking and analyzing performance insights, Arthur’s contributions were invaluable.
Arthur tracking analytics | Photo by Jinhui Jang
Beyond his marketing work, Arthur excelled in areas we didn’t even know needed attention. He organized our extensive collection of photos and documents in Dropbox, conducted website and social media audits, and devised creative fundraising ideas for the development team. Before concluding his internship, Arthur wrote a blog reflecting on how his experience at HDD reshaped his career aspirations. It’s these “aha” moments that make our internship program so meaningful, affirming the impact we strive to have on young professionals’ lives.
Now in his final year at El Camino Community College, Arthur continues to dedicate his free time to working with us on a project-by-project basis. He’s also assisting our Managing Director, Raphaelle, with development needs. Arthur’s journey with HDD exemplifies the power of perseverance and the transformative potential of mentorship and collaboration.
Thank you, Arthur, for everything you’ve contributed to HDD—and for continuing to bring your creativity and determination to the team. We’re grateful for your hard work and excited to see what the future holds for you!
Last Fall and this year has been a whirlwind for our small but mighty team at HDD, as we’ve had the privilege of working with a full house of talented and driven young professionals. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m deeply grateful—not only for the opportunity to support these amazing interns in their paths toward careers in marketing and advertising but also for the invaluable lessons I’ve learned from them along the way. Thank you!
