The closing day of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s (TMCF) Leadership Institute was the finishing touch of a powerful week in the nation’s capital.
Scholars began the morning with a plenary session by Ally Financial entitled “Think Like a Leader but Act Like an Investor.”
Natalie Brown (senior director of corporate citizenship), Samantha Newsome (customer engagement and relationship deepening) and JR Williams (senior director of personal finance; founder of Present Day Financial Planning) talked about navigating a corporate career and investing in themselves.
After a moderated panel, students had the opportunity to ask questions. Topics ranged from entrepreneurship to communication skills and balancing financial goals while finding enjoyable work.
After the plenary, students attended breakout sessions hosted by a variety of corporate partners, focusing on how companies shape communities and opportunity.
At lunch, the closing session began to cap off a powerful conference.
Students enjoyed a panel discussion featuring Spring Lacy (global head of talent acquisition at Verizon) and Dr. Martin Lemelle Jr. (president at Grambling State University and former Leadership Institute participant) and moderated by actor Terayle Hill.
Panelists gave advice on getting ahead early in a career and skills to develop for success.
Dr. Harry L. Williams, president & CEO of TMCF, provided closing remarks.
“You guys have exceeded all of my expectations. All of them. I’m happy, but I’m not surprised,” Dr. Williams said. “You represent the best of the best, so you show up regardless of who’s watching you because that’s who you are and that’s what you represent.”
He said students were engaged and made sure to ask thoughtful questions when the opportunity arose.
“I saw you taking notes. I saw you leaning in. I saw you taking advantage of this opportunity,” Dr. Williams said.
Leadership Institute continues next year from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2 in New York City as part of TMCF’s 40th anniversary celebration.
