The more than 500 students attending the 2025 Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Leadership Institute quickly experienced the dynamic energy of the four-day event for students of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The opening ceremony and initial sessions took place on Wednesday, Oct. 1.
TMCF yard ambassadors led participants in a roll call of their respective colleges and universities. Spirits were high in the room as the adrenaline of starting the highly anticipated conference.
Dr. Harry L. Williams, president & CEO of TMCF, provided the opening remarks and capitalized on the exhilaration of the evening.
He charged the students to glean everything possible from their time at Leadership Institute, making sure to listen closely to feedback from TMCF’s corporate partners.
“Our work here at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, in order to carry on the legacy of Justice Marshall, is to make sure you are getting in the room,” Dr. Williams said. “To make sure that when you get in the room, you do what you do best. You do what you do best and we step back and we watch. We watch you develop, watch you grow and we smile and we celebrate.”
Leadership Institute is a one-of-a-kind program, he said, providing a unique opportunity for students to meet, learn from and connect with corporate partners. He also reminded students that their education and the event are not just about getting a job, but making a career and using it to elevate those around them.
Dr. N. Joyce Payne, founder of TMCF, also provided remarks.
“I look forward to this every year,” Dr. Payne said. “I always look forward to this opportunity. This is my birthday, this is my anniversary, this is my Christmas.”
She invoked the legacy of Justice Thurgood Marshall, namesake for TMCF, and his efforts for education and workplace equity that still resonate in 2025. She encouraged the students to continue the work for equity, develop good habits and act with integrity.
“You are here not by accident,” she said. “I understand that we had 4,000 applicants to be here. We vetted each and every one of them and you competed, you showed us what you can do and we got the best and the brightest, so you should celebrate yourself.”
The opening day also included coach engagement and credentialing onboarding, a pre-conference mix sponsored by Shell and a partner reception.
The conference begins in earnest on day two, with a morning plenary with presenting sponsor Wells Fargo.
