One Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) alumna has used her experiences and credentials to help unite and uplift her adopted community of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Ja’Mya Giles, a graduate of TMCF member school Howard University, now works at Bank of America in Charlotte as a cyber security analyst. She’s also the founder of Village to Village Leadership Foundation (V2V), president of Black Pickleball and Co. Charlotte and runs a small business, Mya Made Customs.
“My experiences with TMCF absolutely prepared me for what I encountered after graduation,” Giles said. “Through TMCF, I gained invaluable exposure to professional development opportunities, networking and real-world challenges that bridged the gap between academic learning and the workforce.”
Giles was an active TMCF scholar, serving as a USDA TMCF summer intern in 2018, a participant at the 2019 Leadership Institute, a member of the 2019 Moguls in the Making cohort and experienced the CIA Immersion Program in 2019.
“My favorite experience with TMCF was participating in the 2019 Moguls in the Making program,” Giles said. “It was the inaugural year of the program and its focus on revitalizing the city of Detroit deeply resonated with me, as Detroit is my hometown.”
That TMCF experience aligns with her starting her nonprofit, V2V, which is dedicated to supporting and mentoring youth in underserved communities, and her work with Black Pickleball and Co. Charlotte.
“The experience sparked a passion within me for community development and innovation,” Giles said. “Even now, I remain very close with my cohort and the bonds we formed continue to inspire and motivate me.”
Giles said she also started a group chat with TMCF alumni in Charlotte about a year ago to foster a connection with past scholars.
She said her experience with TMCF was incredible.
“The organization’s emphasis on leadership, resilience and adaptability equipped me with the tools to navigate my career effectively, from my professional role in cyber security to founding and managing my nonprofit,” Giles said. “TMCF also provided me with a support system and resources that helped build my confidence to take on leadership roles.”
Overall, she said TMCF laid a strong foundation for her journey, enabling her to succeed both professionally and in community-focused initiatives.
For current or prospective TMCF scholars, Giles said to take full advantage of the resources and opportunities available.
“TMCF provides a unique platform for growth,” she said. “Don’t hesitate to push yourself outside of your comfort zone whether it’s through internships, networking events or leadership training.”
