Like many students who have participated in programming or received scholarships through the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Meliah Bell said her experience relieved financial stress and allowed her to pursue her goals.
Bell is a Howard University student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She participated in the ZS Seed consulting program; the TMCF immersion program; the CBRE immersion program; the Adobe immersion program; and DevCon. Bell is also the recipient of the JP Morgan and Chase Access scholarship and the Adobe Ignite Scholarship.
“These scholarships have allowed me to pursue my goals without financial stress, ensuring I can focus on academic success and leadership opportunities,” Bell said. “They’ve also inspired me to embody excellence in everything I do, not just for myself but to make a positive impact on others.”
She said her overall experience with TMCF can be described in one word: impact.
“Regardless of the program or event, I have found that the coordinators, students and company representatives I interact with all embody TMCF’s mission of ‘changing the world one leader at a time,’” Bell said.
These experiences have influenced other areas of her life, she said.
“This universal experience has deeply influenced me, as I am constantly surrounded by individuals who are shaping future leaders and inspiring me to do the same,” Bell said. “TMCF has given me access to mentorship, immersive learning opportunities and a network of like-minded individuals, all of which have prepared me to thrive academically and professionally.”
Connecting with others has been one of Bell’s favorite parts of her TMCF experience.
“These relationships have been invaluable, as I’ve not only learned from others but also had the chance to share my own experiences and insights,” she said. “Reconnecting with peers from these programs in real life has reinforced the sense of community that TMCF fosters, making every experience even more meaningful.”
Bell said she is interested in pursuing tech consulting in her career.
“I want to use technology and innovation to drive meaningful solutions while uplifting communities in need,” Bell said. “Whether through developing transformative systems or providing resources to underserved populations, I hope to change the world through both innovation and compassion.”
Through her career, she hopes to leave a lasting impact.
“A quote that motivates me is: ‘As one person, I can’t change the world, but I can change one person’s world,’” she said. “I want to embody this philosophy by helping others, one person at a time, to create a ripple effect of positive change.”
