When Kennedy Blue Washington, a rising senior at Spelman College, attended her first Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) event, she expected to learn, network and gain professional experience. What she found was a supportive community, new opportunities and a renewed confidence in her ability to achieve her goals.
Washington attended TMCF DevCon in 2024, an experience she describes as transformative.
“That experience was amazing and life-changing, not only for me personally but also because it challenged me to think bigger and work toward new goals,” Washington said. “The experience taught me about my strengths and what I could improve on.”
She returned to DevCon in 2025, this time as a student speaker. The opportunity reinforced the conference’s impact on her growth and allowed her to share her journey with others.
Washington later participated in the Moguls in the Making competition, another experience that expanded her perspective and introduced her to new possibilities.
“Moguls in the Making introduced me to opportunities and people I may not have encountered otherwise,” Washington said. “I earned a scholarship that will help pay for my senior year of college, and the experience inspired me to keep pursuing my goals.”
Through her involvement in TMCF programs, Washington built meaningful connections with students and professionals from across the country.
“One of the biggest benefits was being surrounded by other HBCU students from different schools,” she said. “You start to realize that everyone is on a similar journey. We all have different backgrounds and experiences, but there is a shared understanding because we attend HBCUs.”
Washington said networking through TMCF has helped her grow both professionally and personally.
“I’ve met people from all over the country and learned so much from their experiences,” Washington said. “Those conversations have given me new perspectives and helped me grow.”
Washington credits TMCF with helping her build confidence and recognize her own potential.
“Before I got involved with TMCF, I didn’t always see myself succeeding at this level,” she said. “Being part of these programs and hearing from so many accomplished people helped me realize that I can achieve my goals, too.”
She also highlighted the support she received during one of the most difficult periods of her life. While pursuing her studies, Washington lost her father, a loss that affected many aspects of her life and academic journey. During that time, she said the encouragement she received from TMCF and her peers made a meaningful difference.
“There were moments when I felt like no one could understand what I was going through,” she said. “But the support I received from TMCF showed me that there was always someone I could turn to for guidance and encouragement.”
Reflecting on her experience, Washington said TMCF has provided both opportunities and a sense of community that continue to shape her future.
“TMCF has opened so many doors for me,” she said. “The organization has connected me with people who genuinely want to see me succeed, and it has given me opportunities that have changed my life.”
