Thurgood Marshall College Fund welcomes seventh cohort of Hennessy Fellows

November 12, 2025

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and Hennessy recently announced the seventh cohort of the Hennessy Fellows Program, a select group of high-achieving graduate students from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). 

Designed to prepare the next generation of executive leaders, the program provides students with unparalleled access to executive coaching, corporate immersion and financial support. Since its launch, the program has empowered fellows to build networks, sharpen leadership skills and position themselves for success in the C-suite.

“This is an incredible opportunity for our students and, as always, we’re thankful for the partnership with Hennessy,” Dr. Harry L. Williams, president & CEO of TMCF, said. “I’m excited to watch this cohort progress through the program and find success after graduation.”

The cohorts expanded to 15 fellows this year, with participants selected from seven MBA programs at the following HBCUs: 

The program has been restructured so that students will be participating from the start of their MBA program through graduation. They will have the opportunity to participate in leadership development, corner office conversations with executive leaders and support a small business in a capstone project near the end of the program.

The seventh cohort of Hennessy Fellows are: 

  • Aaliyah Provo (Southern University and A&M College)
  • Ajsa Anderson Jones (North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University)
  • Ashley Dabney (Southern University A&M College)
  • Asya Jones (Morgan State University)
  • Brandis Lee (Southern University and A&M College)
  • Breona McElroy (Clark Atlanta University)
  • Desirae Brown-Bush (Howard University)
  • Desiree Vanderloop (Morgan State University)
  • Jasmond Kemp (Prairie View A&M University)
  • Justin Morrissette-McAlmon (Morgan State University)
  • Kylie Rice (North Carolina A&T State University)
  • Morgan Thornton (Delaware State University)
  • Pedro Dudley Jr. (North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University)
  • Ryan Richmond (Howard University)

Sharice Mercer (Clark Atlanta University)

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