North Carolina A&T State University junior gains confidence through Verizon Immersion
Ryan Travers, a junior majoring in computer science at North Carolina A&T State University, attended the Verizon HBCU Immersion Program with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund last year, an experience she said helped shape her professional goals. “I was able to walk away knowing how to better my brand and make myself stand out when […]
How TMCF helped Ayomide Olafusi dream bigger
For Norfolk State University junior Ayomide Olafusi, earning a college degree without placing a financial burden on his family was not just a goal but a promise. A cybersecurity major and the son of Nigerian immigrant parents, Olafusi said he was determined to find opportunities that would allow him to pursue higher education while easing […]
Thurgood Marshall College Fund president advocated for HBCUs with elected officials during Arkansas HBCU Summit
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) was well-represented at the recent 2026 Arkansas HBCU Summit at Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock. Dr. Harry L. Williams, president & CEO of TMCF, was in attendance alongside U.S. Congressman French Hill and U.S. Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. “It was great to be in Little Rock for […]
Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s The Pitch to take place on the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University campus
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) will host The Pitch at member school North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s (NC A&T) campus on March 19-21. The Pitch is a place-based learning experience packed into a four-day immersive challenge designed to equip students from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) with the technical, creative and […]
Thurgood Marshall College Fund celebrates the lasting impact of the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) joins the nation in mourning the loss of the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, an iconic civil rights leader and unwavering advocate for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Rev. Jackson knew the power of an HBCU education firsthand, graduating from TMCF member school North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State […]
All doors open for Brayden Smith through TMCF
Before arriving on campus, Brayden Smith never imagined college as part of his future. Now a junior majoring in business administration at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), Smith credits the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) with helping him discover his potential and build a path rooted in opportunity and connection. Growing up, Smith said higher […]
Ellis Bryant finds confidence through community
Ellis Bryant began his college journey at Tuskegee University questioning whether he belonged in competitive academic and professional spaces. Now a junior majoring in finance and economics, he credits the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) with helping him overcome impostor syndrome and recognize his own capabilities. Early in his college career, Bryant said self-doubt often […]
Thurgood Marshall College Fund president to speak at Howard University
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) president & CEO will serve as a featured guest at Howard University (Howard) for a conversation about how historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) drive national policy and innovation. Dr. Harry L. Williams, president & CEO at TMCF, will join other featured guests such as Dr. Denise Jones Gregory, […]
Thurgood Marshall College Fund officials praise passage of the minibus appropriations bill
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) extends its gratitude to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-OK), Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-ME), House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro […]
Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s DevCon returns in February
Top-tier early talent students from the nation’s public historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and predominantly Black institutions (PBIs) will descend on Baltimore Feb. 18-21 for DevCon, a regional professional development conference hosted by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF). First-year and sophomore students from public and private HBCUs and PBIs will engage with captivating […]
Thurgood Marshall College Fund delegation attended South African conference to propose transatlantic Black higher education partnerships
A delegation from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) traveled to South Africa for the Education Association of South Africa (EASA) 2026 Annual Conference. At the conference, the group delivered a landmark presentation that unveiled an ambitious framework to establish formal transatlantic partnerships between historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and South African historically disadvantaged […]
All roads lead forward for Raniyah Edwards
From scholarships to national professional opportunities, Raniyah Edwards’ experience with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) has helped shape her growth as a student leader. A junior political science major at Prairie View A&M University, Edwards is an out-of-state student who has been actively engaged with TMCF since her freshman year. During that time, she […]
Preparing for what’s next: Siriss McLaurin’s Thurgood Marshall College Fund journey
For Siriss McLaurin, graduating in December marked more than the end of his time at Jackson State University. It signaled the beginning of a new chapter shaped by opportunity, preparation and connection through the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF). As a transfer student, McLaurin said one of his priorities after arriving at Jackson State was […]
Thurgood Marshall College Fund board member recognized as a top influential business leader in Wisconsin
A member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Board of Directors was recently recognized by BizTimes as one of the most influential business leaders in Wisconsin. Michelle Nettles, executive vice president and chief people and legal officer at ManpowerGroup, is a TMCF board member and the vice chair of the human resources committee. “We’re […]
Thurgood Marshall College Fund well-represented at HBCU Honors
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) was once again well-represented at the annual HBCU Honors award show. Morgan State University (Morgan) student Grace Ogunmodede spoke about her experience as a TMCF scholar. “TMCF has been truly transformative for me — it’s opened doors to opportunities that helped me grow academically, professionally and personally,” she said. […]
Leadership message: Reflecting on a year of discovery and distinction
Dear TMCF friends and family, What an incredible year it’s been for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the Dr. N. Joyce Payne Research Center. In September, I spoke about the inaugural Faculty Research Seminar, this year’s Black Thriving in America report and upcoming changes to our website. I’m grateful to everyone who played a […]
Thurgood Marshall College Fund continues to grow its financial position
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) improved its financial position again, according to its fiscal year 2024 audit. TMCF’s fiscal year begins Jan. 1 and ends Dec. 31. “Our CFO and COO Aisha T. Brown, the finance team and all TMCF staff worked extremely hard to ensure a clean and timely audit in FY24,” Dr. […]
Thurgood Marshall College Fund Leadership Institute opens doors for Harris-Stowe senior
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Leadership Institute gave Harris-Stowe State University senior Carlo Holmes more than a week of professional development. It gave him a pathway straight into his future career. Holmes, a business administration and marketing major, had never attended Leadership Institute before this year, but he said the experience reshaped how he […]