WASHINGTON, D.C. – Aaron Wesley has a lot to celebrate.
The Langston University senior broadcast journalism and business management major traveled to the nation’s capital for the first time to attend the prestigious Thurgood Marshall College Fund Leadership Institute presented by Wells Fargo on Wednesday, his 23rd birthday.
After being shot in the back of the head by a stray bullet because of a drive-by shooting when he was 18, Wesley cherishes the gift of life, especially since he didn’t believe he would ever see the next day, let alone his 19th birthday. Now, Wesley is thriving as a track and field student-athlete and honor student, preparing to conquer challenges thanks to TMCF’s support.
“It’s a blessing to even survive,” said Wesley, attending the Leadership Institute for the first time. “I was in the wrong place at the wrong time helping my grandmom. (The doctors) had to shave the back of my head and pull the bullet out. I wasn’t in the hospital for long and missed the first three weeks of my freshman year. This moment changed my life because it showed me that fighting through suffering leads to greater opportunity.
“I am blessed to be here and have this opportunity. Being one of the academically talented students to attend Leadership Institute is huge and something I’ll never take for granted. TMCF has helped me develop mentally, physically, and emotionally while teaching me how to deal with people from different backgrounds and perspectives.”
Wesley was one of 445 students with an average grade point average of 3.6, representing 48 Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) and law schools that are part of this year’s Leadership Institute. The energetic opening ceremony in which students paraded into the Hilton, accompanied by the roaring sounds of cymbals clanging and drums banging, set the perfect tone for the participants to “Claim Your Flame,” the theme of this year’s Leadership Institute.
TMCF staff members, dressed in Black t-shirts, Leadership Institute partners, and hotel guests cheered, celebrated, and recorded videos with their phones as participants enthusiastically walked down the stairs to where the energetic opening ceremony sponsored by Shell and Medtronic was held.
“Claim Your Flame means to me to capture the light inside of you by approaching each day with excellence and trying to succeed,” Wesley said. “I enjoyed the opening ceremony and parade because it was something I had never seen or experienced before. The best part of my day was being here and meeting so many like-minded individuals with the same goals.”
One of the beautiful sights from opening day was the group picture featuring most of this year’s program participants in front of the Hilton Hotel. Under a sun-splashed sky stood a sea of Black excellence – talented students and future game-changers — proudly wearing their school colors and smiling for the camera as cars slowed on the street to get a glance.
During his spirited opening address to the students, TMCF president Dr. Harry L. Williams reminded everybody of the beautiful legacy of Justice Thurgood Marshall, a Lincoln and Howard graduate who dedicated his career to fighting the inequities and social injustices still prevalent today. Marshall was persistent, diligent, and passionate in fighting in lower courts and arguing in the highest one for constitutional rights while championing the falsely accused, politically disenfranchised, and socially oppressed in the face of menacing hatred and racism.
“One man can change the world,” Williams shared. “One leader can change the world; he thought about you before you were born. Reflect on the responsibility of why you are here. It is our responsibility to help each other, and when we do that, we all win. This is our moment and time to celebrate each other and the excellence we represent. The brand of HBCUs is at the highest it’s ever been.”
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.
