Leadership Institute is off to an energetic start
September 12 2024 - 8:08AM
More than 500 students are attending the 24th-annual Thurgood
Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Leadership Institute. The opening
ceremony and first day of sessions took place on Wednesday, Sept.
11. During the Wells Fargo plenary session, the presenting sponsor
of Leadership Institute, the company presented a donation of $1.9
million to TMCF.
The Morgan State University marching band, otherwise known as
the Magnificent Marching Machine, opened the conference with an
energy only a historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU)
marching band can provide. After the band set the tone, the TMCF
Yard ambassadors took the stage for the HBCU roll call.
Dr. Harry L. Williams, president & CEO of TMCF, provided the
opening remarks.
“The reason our founder, Dr. N. Joyce Payne, created this 37
years ago was because of you,” Dr. Williams said. “You weren’t even
born 37 years ago, and she was thinking about you and this
moment.”
Dr. Williams charged the students to absorb everything from
Leadership Institute and listen to feedback they receive from
TMCF’s corporate partners.
“It’s not about you getting a job,” Dr. Williams said. “It’s
about what you’re going to do with that career. It’s about how you
take that career and elevate not only yourself, but all of those
around you.”
Dr. Williams told students they wouldn’t find a program like
Leadership Institute anywhere in America.
“It is a one-of-a-kind program in America for HBCUs. This is our
Super Bowl,” Dr. Williams said.
Dr. Payne also provided a charge for students, encouraging them
to act with integrity and create good habits.
“We want you to develop a habit not only of excellence, but the
habit of truth and honesty,” Dr. Payne said.
She also encouraged students to vote and take friends, family
and community members with them to the polls.
Rap trailblazer MC Lyte and author Jesse Rhodes Jr. were
featured panelists, discussing personal and professional growth. MC
Lyte encouraged students to find an accountability partner.
“It will change your life,” she said.
Representatives from Territorium introduced students to
LifeJourney, a digital badging system that showcases employee
skills and introduces students to potential career pathways.
Wells Fargo hosted an afternoon plenary session on managing
reputational risk. Students participated in an interactive crisis
communications scenario. Leadership Institute alumni who work at
Wells Fargo were also recognized.
Breakthru Beverage hosted the last plenary of the day, where
students joined leaders from the company for an insightful session
on communication strategy.
The day also included industry immersions, case study breakout
sessions, branding sessions and interview blocks. Day two of the
conference will include even more opportunities for connecting with
corporate partners and professional development.
About the Thurgood Marshall College FundEstablished in
1987, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation’s
largest organization exclusively representing the Black college
community. TMCF member schools include the publicly supported
historically Black colleges and universities, historically Black
community colleges, and predominantly Black institutions, enrolling
nearly 80% of all students attending Black colleges and
universities. Through scholarships, capacity building and research
initiatives, innovative programs, and strategic partnerships, TMCF
is a vital resource in K-12 and higher education. The organization
is also the source of top employers seeking top talent for
competitive internships and good jobs. TMCF is a 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt charitable organization. For more information about
TMCF, visit www.tmcf.org.
Clara Ross Stamps
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund
240-931-0696
clara.stamps@tmcf.org