Statement by Dr. Harry L. Williams
President and CEO, Thurgood Marshall College Fund
Since our founding in 1987, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) has prided itself on being laser-focused on helping all of the students who attend our 47 publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) find their voice and hone their leadership skills through our annual Leadership Institute and other professional development programs. Today, I am particularly proud of our TMCF scholars and other students who are taking up the mantle of leadership and are using their voices to peacefully speak out against the inhumane treatment of innumerable Black men and women across our nation. Notwithstanding TMCF’s historic mission, recent events necessitate that we step outside our traditional lens. The inexplicable deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, among others, necessarily requires a thoughtful and prompt response from our leaders and a commitment to be resolute in their opposition to discrimination, bigotry, and violence, regardless of the source. As we come together to find a cure for this uniquely American pandemic, TMCF looks forward to partnering with our state, local and national leaders, our partners in corporate America, and the broader public to dismantle racism and other forms of discrimination, embrace the strength in our diversity, and move this great nation toward a more just and equitable society. As Justice Thurgood Marshall once reminded us all: “In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute.”
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About the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF)
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 the publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities 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 the K-12 and higher education space. 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
