Jahmahn Larsosa is a shining example of the incredible impact of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
“TMCF made it possible for me to achieve what I often thought was impossible — graduating from Chicago State,” Larsosa said. “Even more than that, TMCF helped me gain my first internship when I needed the money for tuition. TMCF helped me to realize my capabilities
while providing opportunities to build myself for success through experiences including internships, training, pitch competitions, and leadership conferences.”
Larsosa earned a degree in business administration with a concentration in management information systems in 2022. It was a moment that held more profound significance for Larsosa, who endured plenty of adversity. Instead of succumbing to life challenges, Larsosa displayed Thurgood Marshall’s determined and resilient spirit to accomplish one of his goals.
A non-traditional student, Larsosa’s story is about the power of perseverance and the soul of a champion who took advantage of an opportunity. His first introduction to TMCF was during an event on Chicago State’s campus in 2018. After speaking with TMCF representatives, Larsosa was excited to learn more and visited the website where he learned about scholarship
opportunities.
In 2021, Larsosa had the opportunity to mentor Chicago high school juniors and seniors during the inaugural Early Innovator program, hosted by TMCF and CNA. He also applied for and received scholarships, which led to him to other programming including the Leadership Institute, and competing in a Pitch competition sponsored by Truist and subsequently completing an internships with Truist.
“I had nothing to lose and everything to gain by applying for scholarships,” Larsosa said. “I figured that my chances of winning were slim. However, my financial aid was at its end, and I could not finish my last year of school without additional financial support. The TMCF
scholarship application process was more streamlined than I had imagined, though. I still had to dig deep to express myself in my essay requirements. This provided me an opportunity to share my story.
“The moment I was informed that I was a scholarship winner, I experienced plenty of emotions. The first emotion was disbelief. I could not believe that I was selected as a scholarship winner. Once I realized this was happening, I was excited, motivated, teary-eyed, and grateful. I had received a blessing for money that was needed to go into my school account and help me finish a goal that was my dream. It was a defining moment in my academic and life journey.”
Life hasn’t been easy for Larsosa, who was in and out of school, dealing with plenty of personal tragedies between 1998-2012.
“My journey has been untraditional and at times fraught with obstacles,” Larsosa said. “I always had the intelligence and work ethic to earn my college degree. My grades were always good, but life events sometimes shifted my priorities. “My mom unexpectedly died of a massive heart attack. School became less of a priority, and my younger brothers became my main focus, especially my youngest brother, who was 11 and needed his older brothers to guide him. I would work full-time, attend school, and raise a family, but it was sometimes difficult. Two years later, the second oldest brother, who worked as the second in command of the four brothers, was shot and paralyzed. It felt like a punch to the gut.”
While Larsosa’s past struggles strengthened his resolve, his future is bright thanks to taking a chance to apply for TMCF scholarships. He gave back by serving as a coach during one of many TMCF’s signature pitch competitions.
The Detroit native, who spent most of his life in Chicago, is finishing an 18-month rotational program with BNY Mellon in Pittsburgh, which is ironic because he never thought he would leave in Chicago.
Larsosa wants to share a message with anyone interested in taking chances: “don’t cheat yourself out of opportunities because of your feelings, or you are afraid.” Words that have served him well the past few years.
