Thurgood Marshall College Fund Knows That Diversity is a Force Multiplier

Justice Thurgood Marshall was a civil rights lawyer and crusader who was instrumental in ending legal segregation. As a lawyer in the 1930s, he successfully challenged the integration policies of several universities. In 1940 he founded the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and led several court cases that eventually struck down Plessy v. Ferguson, which enshrined the doctrine "separate but equal," and the landmark Brown v. Board of Education. In 1967, he became the first African-American Supreme Court justice; his nomination by President Lyndon Johnson, was confirmed 69-11.

Marshall pursued racial equity and led the way for future generations. His actions and words became legacy—not only in terms of racial equality and justice but, above all, in education. It seemed only fitting that the nation's largest organization exclusively representing the Black college community, Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), be named in his honor. Marshall is also exemplary of the fund's driving principle: "Be the first." Both an affirmation and an inspiration, it affirms Black students' ability to go above and beyond what their surroundings and society expect of them, to forge a path of their own to become the leaders they have the potential to be—just as Marshall did.

TMCF has provided access to and equity in education for more than 35 years. It has ensured student success by promoting educational excellence and preparing the next generation of workforce talent through leadership development. In 2020, USA Today noted that only 2 percent of America's top executives at 50 of the largest companies were Black. In 2022, Fortune magazine reported a "record number" of six Black CEOs helming Fortune 500 companies. Thurgood Marshall College Fund's mission is to challenge this reality and to ensure there are more Black people in positions of leadership.Almost half of TMCF scholarship recipients are first-generation college students. They are often charting the path without the benefit of a family or community that can provide a blueprint for success. TMCF supports its students by stepping up to help navigate the path to college. It holistically supports students by providing access to financial support, leadership development and career programs. It also helps students to cultivate critical business skills for career advancement.

It serves as a safe space and community for students who engage in TMCF programs by offering future leaders the benefit of real-world experience. To become eligible for TMCF programs, students must take the initiative to apply, interview and compete for scholarship opportunities. Yet TMCF is more than a scholarship program. It works to inspire students to live beyond their potential.

"'Be the first' is very personal to me," said Andrea Horton, the chief marketing officer at Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Horton is leading the strategic vision for the organization's brand and marketing strategy inclusive of TMCF's brand positioning, communication strategies, public relations and user experience.

"I am a first generation college student and the first in my family to pursue a corporate career. I think being the first means dreaming beyond what is normal for your family and community," elaborated Horton. "It means purposely moving away from the familiar and challenging yourself to learn new skills and new ways of thinking. It means feeling awkward and, at times, failing. In the Black community, it often means figuring things out alone. Our work at TMCF is so important because we provide that community and framework for African American students so they don't have to struggle to figure things out on their own."

Horton added, "When I entered corporate America after my MBA, a lot of times I was the only African American woman sitting in the room. I didn't have the network and community to ask questions because I always felt I was being evaluated on whether I deserved to be there. Being the first means providing a community and safe space for students to learn, grow and develop," said Horton. "When TMCF students find themselves first in these spaces, they feel confident, and they know they have the tools and resources to position themselves for success."

"A lot of our students are the first in their families to go to college," said Harry Williams, the president and CEO of Thurgood Marshall College Fund. "They are often the first to secure major opportunities in corporate America. In some cases, they are the first in their families to travel abroad, and the first to experience what it means to leave this great country." Williams added, "They recognize the importance of not only leaving but what it means to come back and have the interpersonal drive to want to do even better. Being the first is a big deal because students become a role model in their community that others will want to follow."

"I value the mission of student success," Williams said. "TMCF is in the business of changing lives. More often than not, students we serve come from communities, families and financial situations that are challenging. Sometimes those students have to do a little extra to be their best self." Noted Williams, "At TMCF, we are providing resources that are allowing those students to become their full self. When students don't have their basic needs met, like heat and health, it is difficult to concentrate. By providing scholarships we eliminate the financial barrier that prohibits students from reaching their goals."

As a strategic thinker and visionary, Williams has established dedicated talent development partnerships with leading corporations such as the Boeing Company, Medtronic, Visa, Ally Financial and John Deere. Under Williams' leadership, TMCF has experienced tremendous growth, expanded its revenue three times and doubled its corporate partnerships.

TMCF partners with businesses and organizations aligned with its mission and that donate to and work with the fund. These partners have access to TMCF's Talent Sourcing services and TMCF's database of more than 500,000 qualified students and alumni from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) when hiring. This in turn fosters equity and inclusion efforts and helps build diversity within corporations.

Williams underscored, "We unapologetically serve the HBCU community and specifically serve those students that attend HBCUs, which are 95 percent African American students. TMCF [serves] the largest number of HBCU students in America, in excess of 300,000 students. We focus on scholarships, programs designed to help students secure internships at the best Fortune 100 and 500 companies in the world, and we focus on advocacy." Added Williams, "You can search all over the world, but you won't find anything like TMCF. We are the best in class."

Justice Marshall was one individual, but he was a force multiplier: His impact on major civil rights initiatives lives on in millions of others because he demonstrated clearly what a sole individual could achieve, most especially with an education. Thurgood Marshall College Fund helps to build a strong, diverse talent pipeline that is creating a path for more Black leadership in the U.S. and worldwide.

TMCF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. For more information about TMCF, visit: www.tmcf.org.

The contents of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. It's important to perform your own research and consider seeking advice from an independent financial professional before making any investment decisions.