Before arriving on campus, Brayden Smith never imagined college as part of his future. Now a junior majoring in business administration at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), Smith credits the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) with helping him discover his potential and build a path rooted in opportunity and connection.
Growing up, Smith said higher education was not something he was widely exposed to, and for a long time, he believed athletics were his only path into college. Once he enrolled at NCCU, he became determined to make the most of his experience and learn more about who he was academically and professionally. That determination led him to TMCF.
“TMCF was the first platform that offered me opportunity and kept offering opportunity,” Smith said. “That’s why I kept applying. I wanted to make sure I was doing that for myself.”
Since then, Smith has participated in more than 10 TMCF programs and events, including DevCon, the Adobe Immersion Program, Lowe’s HBCU Retail Immersion Program, Moguls in the Making and Leadership Institute. He also served as an NCCU Yardie Ambassador.
Beyond professional exposure, Smith said TMCF provided him with a sense of belonging and community.
“I’ve gained an incredible family through TMCF,” he said. “The networking, support and encouragement have brought me so much happiness. It’s made me want to pour into others the same way TMCF poured into me.”
One moment that stood out came during the Leadership Institute gala, where scholars were encouraged to connect and share their stories. Smith struck up a conversation with a senior leader at a company who immediately offered her contact information along with guidance and support.
That interaction later led to a summer internship with Ally, an opportunity Smith said came directly from being an engaged and familiar presence within the TMCF network.
“TMCF helped me build real and personal connections,” Smith said. “Those relationships opened doors I never imagined for myself.”
As he continues his college journey, Smith said his experiences with TMCF have reshaped how he views his future, replacing uncertainty with confidence and purpose.
