WASHINGTON, D.C. — LaTyra English has always been passionate about working in sports one day.
The North Carolina Central graduate student’s experience in the NBA Historically Black College & University (HBCU) fellowship inspired her. That memorable 10-week experience encouraged her to apply for the 2023 Leadership Institute presented by Wells Fargo.
Now that English is one of the talented 445 HBCU students at the Hilton Hotel participating in this year’s 23rd annual program, her flame is brighter than ever.
“Being one of the students selected for the Leadership Institute is a special dream come true for me,” English said. “This week has been a great experience. I am grateful for all the work TMCF does on our behalf to help many students like me. I feel these opportunities, experiences, and resources are crucial and give us a head start as we begin our careers.”
TMCF works tirelessly to enhance the legacy of Justice Thurgood Marshall by closing the equity gaps for HBCUs and the students who attend them while serving as a pathway to opportunity and prosperity. TMCF has prepared over 260,000 students for career success through its programming, which develops leadership skills and forges lasting connections to corporate America, both helping students on their career paths and providing companies access to a talented and diverse student population.
A shining light of excellence, English is working toward her Master of Science degree in athletic administration. She graduated from NCCU in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in recreation administration in sport management.
During her 10-week internship with the NBA, English helped develop marketing tactics to expand the WNBA league’s content audiences through HBCU integration, health promotion, financial discounts, and social media initiatives. English was the first HBCU fellow working specifically with the WNBA. She also worked the HBCU All-Star game in Houston. She will work with the NCCU men’s basketball program this upcoming year, creating social media content.
English has enjoyed a memorable week while attending her first Leadership Institute.
“Connecting with people from different schools is so awesome, and being part of the HBCU community is so excellent,” English said. “It’s like no matter what school you go to, and for example, even though we have a rivalry with the (North Carolina A&T) Aggies, we’ll always love the Aggies. It’s like that for HBCUs; we’re all connected because we’re all part of this intimate community. It’s a big thing about connecting on so many levels even though we’re different, which creates a special bond.”
Even though English is focused on working in sports one day, the Leadership Institute also opened up possibilities beyond her dream career.
“I was talking to somebody here who has a degree in sports management but no longer works in sports,” English said. “That was interesting to me and made me more open-minded. It also made me realize that moving away from what you are passionate about is fine. The timing may not be right, but that’s OK. The most important thing is to find something you want to do and have good experiences with what you choose. Also, being able to talk to people across different industries matters because it helps diversify my skill set.”
The penultimate day of the Leadership Institute saw ten lucky students win $1,000 scholarships from Cargill. The recruitment fair wrapped up, and students continued to interview for opportunities. Participants also listened to powerful and motivating sessions from partners Medtronic and Breakthru Beverage.
“I appreciate how the partners intentionally poured into us this week,” English said. “I learned that being a leader is a sense of identity. Sometimes, when describing or thinking of myself, I rarely would describe myself as a leader, unintentionally. It is sort of an aspect of myself that I often do not think to display initially. I’ve learned it is essential to tap in and fully embrace leadership as an identity so that I can remain authentic and efficient to break through every challenge to achieve my goals.”
ABOUT THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE FUND
Established in 1987, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF member schools include publicly supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). Publicly supported HBCUs enroll over 80% of all students attending HBCUs. Through scholarships, capacity building and research initiatives, innovative programs, and strategic partnerships, TMCF is a vital resource in the K-12 and higher education spaces. The organization is also a source for top employers seeking top talent for competitive internships and good jobs.
