Over 500 students from HBCUs across the country have come together in Washington D.C. for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Leadership Institute (TMCF LI). This annual conference is a five-day experience specifically tailored to develop HBCU students into young professionals by providing hands on career workshops, on sight interviews with various corporations, and resources to advance professional development. This year’s conference is from September 10th through September 14th.
Many students arrived Tuesday afternoon to get acclimated and came together that evening for the “Student Welcome Reception” where all schools came together to network. With an emphasis on voter awareness, TMCF LI offered on sight voter registration information and look-up for students as they checked in their bags.
As the evening went on, students were guided into a space emphasizing political awareness, to watch the Presidential Debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Before the debate, there was a panel discussion moderated by Selena Hill (Black Enterprise), Dr, Wendy Osefo (The 1954 Equity Project), Harold M. Love Jr, (Rep. of Tennessee General Assembly), Dr. Shesha Joi Moon, (US House of Representatives), and Jarrett Carter Sr. (HBCU Digest). This hour long discussion emphasized the importance of policy making, party affiliation, and the history behind black voting and the Civil Rights Movement.
With the conference officially kicking off this morning with an “Opening Ceremony,” Morgan State University’s Magnificent Marching Machine welcomed students with “American Boy” made popular by Estelle and other tunes. Shortly after, CEO and TMCF LI President, Harry Lee Williams took the stage to invigorate students with a powerful message to students initially stating,
“You’re not gonna find a program like this in America, this is a one of kind program in America for HBCU students, this is OUR Super Bowl.”
TMCF LI President, Harry Lee Williams addressing students. Credit: A.Gilchrist
Through daily “Immersive Breakout” sessions, hosted by Fortune 500 companies, students will be able to listen to engaging presentations from company executives, schedule interviews for internships and job opportunities, and network one on one. Students also will have the opportunity to explore a career fair, and can even pick out free professional wear at the career closet, sponsored by ALLY.
Williams mentioned to students in reference to the professional resources, “We want to cheer you on. We want to make it easy for you—this is part of your educational journey.”
With the conference being hosted in D.C. only a few blocks away from Howard Univerty, the emphasis of an HBCU graduate being the candidate for the U.S. Presidency has been an topic of motivation used by Williams to encourage all students that their degree matters.
When speaking on Kamala Harris’ recent debate performance he said, “She was confident. She did it because she was prepared. That’s what this leadership conference is all about. Getting you [all] ready for these opportunities.” He inspired students by emphasizing the molding that HBCU students go through at their selected institutions, that ultimately prepares them to “be in the room”.
Adding, “There’s a lot of work to be done in this country, and it takes leaders to do that.”
As the ceremony went on, remakes from the founder of TMCF Dr. N. Joyce Payne came to the stage to offer career advice and also also encourage students to use their voices this political season. Also commending Harris’ debate performance she added,
“We are so proud, and you should be proud, and Howard University should be as well, this is not simply about Howard. This is about the power of education, and that’s why you’re here.”
Pushing purpose into students she pointed out that the purpose of an HBCU education and TMCF LI is to help foster “good habits” and life principles stating,
“We want you to create good habits. A good habit is the intellectual journey that you’re about to take, that you’re on now academically, but this Leadership Institute is about creating good habits, the habit of knowing who your competitors are, habit of knowing who those corporations are, what they do, way they reside, who they represent and whether they are really committed to diversity.”
TMCF Founder Dr. Joyce Payne, addressing students. Credit: A. Gilchrist
Closing out, her remarks were centered around students exercising their civic duties beyond the conference.
“It’s not simply about the registration process. It is about maintaining access to the ballot.
You have to understand the value of your vote. I will end with vote. Take your friends with you!”
As over 500 students take over D.C for the week, TMCF LI is preparing the future leaders of America and educating them on how to be active and informed citizens all while giving black and brown students from all over a place to succeed, form new friendships, and reach their highest potential.
