Though this was a shorter week due to the Juneteenth holiday, I was still able to make meaningful progress on several ongoing projects at Zora’s House while continuing to deepen my understanding of the organization’s internal structure and long-term vision.

One of my main priorities this week was continuing to organize the Zora’s House library collection, which includes roughly 350 books authored primarily by women of color. As I work through the cataloging process, I’ve become increasingly focused on developing a library system that is not only functional now but also easy to maintain and use well beyond my internship. I’ve been researching classification options, labeling systems, and digital tools that would allow staff and members to easily browse, check out, and recommend books in the future. This process has helped me recognize the importance of sustainability in nonprofit work — systems need to be intuitive, low-maintenance, and adaptable so they can continue to serve the community effectively, regardless of staff turnover or capacity shifts.

In addition to the library, I began organizing the Zora’s House shared drive to support clearer internal documentation and easier access across programs. This behind-the-scenes work gave me greater appreciation for the operational backbone of a nonprofit: the digital systems, workflows, and shared knowledge that keep programs running efficiently.

I also had the opportunity to connect with various stakeholders, including program participants and community partners. Hearing about their work helped me understand how each person contributes to the broader ecosystem of Zora’s House. It reminded me that effective nonprofit leadership requires strong, trust-based relationships and communication across roles and sectors.

Even in a shortened week, my work reinforced a key insight: nonprofits thrive not just on visionary programming but on thoughtful infrastructure that supports long-term sustainability, accessibility, and inclusion. It’s meaningful to know that even after my internship ends, the tools and systems I’m helping to create will continue to serve this dynamic, community-rooted space.