WASHINGTON, DC – November 1, 2016 – The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) announces bipartisan and bicameral Honorary Congressional Host Committee for the 28th Annual Awards Gala on November 21, 2016 at the Washington Hilton. The twelve members of Congress serving on the host committee include: United States Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS), United States Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), United States Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), United States Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), United States Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), United States Senator Tom Carper (D-DE), The Honorable Michael Brown (D-DC) (DC Shadow Senator), United States Representative Robert C. Scott (D-VA), United States Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), United States Representative Bradley Byrne (R-AL), and United States Representative Bruce Westerman (R-AR).
“As a non-profit higher education organization we pride ourselves on being able to have such positive working relationships with members of Congress on both sides of the aisle,” said TMCF President & CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. “In this political season of great division, we are humbled to have the support of such distinguished public servants coming together in unity around such a worthy cause and event. Supporting HBCUs is not a partisan issue, and these members understand that.”
Proceeds from the 28th Annual Awards Gala enable TMCF to continue its vision of changing the world one leader at a time. With 98% of all revenue going directly to HBCU students and schools, TMCF’s Gala is one of Washington, DC’s largest annual fundraising events with over $4.8 million raised in 2015. In addition to Members of Congress, the sold out black-tie gala will include top public and private sector executives, education and non-profit leaders and 400 HBCU students.
The host will be Emmy-nominated television personality, Wendy Williams. Gala honorees include Shelley Broderick, Dean of the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law; Benjamin F. Wilson, Managing Principal at Beveridge & Diamond, P.C.; Jack Dorsey, CEO of Twitter and Square; and Tom Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
For more information about TMCF, the Gala or this year’s honorees, please visit tmcf.org/partners-donors/get-involved/events/gala/.
NOTE: Members of the working press, who wish to cover this event, must obtain press credentials. To obtain credentials, contact Paris Dennard at paris.dennard@tmcf.org.
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About Thurgood Marshall College Fund
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), established in 1987 is named for the U.S. Supreme Court’s first African-American Justice. TMCF represents all Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and its member-schools include the 47 publicly-supported HBCUs. With TMCF member-schools educating 80% of all students attending HBCUs, TMCF helps students with a clear intention to succeed acquire a high-quality college education at an affordable cost. TMCF also efficiently connects high performing, world-ready students with top tier employment opportunities—access that students or employers might not have on their own. Through its scholarships and programs, TMCF plays a key role in preparing the leaders of tomorrow.
TMCF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. For more information about TMCF and its initiatives, visit: tmcf.org.
