Thurgood Marshall College Fund Board of Directors convene at Texas Southern University

May 7, 2026

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Board of Directors met in April in Houston at Texas Southern University and completed several action items.

The finance and audit committee approved the 2026 budget, while the full board affirmed the committee’s approval.  

One new board director was appointed by the governance committee’s recommendation and the board’s approval: Yoshika Rankin with Lowes for a one-year term to complete a previously occupied position’s term. 

An existing director was reappointed to new terms of office:

  • Jeffrey J. Hurd with Equitable, three years

The board also made committee appointments. They are: 

  • Kevin Walling, governance committee
  • Theodore Colbert III, marketing committee
  • Melonie Parker, development committee

“Texas Southern was an incredible setting to gather with the TMCF Board of Directors,” Dr. Harry L. Williams, president & CEO of TMCF, said. “TMCF works hard and it’s exciting to showcase the results of that hard work while continuing to set the path for the organization.”

In other board news:

  • Board members commended the work of the ad hoc development committees and their members 
  • Jonathan Sandville, chief development officer at TMCF, informed the board of new partnerships with Re:wild, Beam Suntory, Alper Skyland and the Ecology Wildlife Foundation
  • Dr. Williams presented the president’s report, including a focus on the new TMCF and framing a mission-first business model, as well as an organizational update
  • Racquel Oden, chairwoman of the TMCF Board of Directors, provided her report as chair
  • Impact reports from each TMCF vertical 
  • Google presented a report on the state of generative AI
  • A special presentation for years of service was presented to board director Collis Jones (John Deere) 
  • The board approved changes to the bylaws as it relates to directors’ financial contributions 

Upcoming board meetings will take place Oct. 6-7 in New York City and April 12-13, 2027 at Hampton University. The board will also meet Oct. 2, 2027, in New York City, coinciding with TMCF’s 40th Anniversary Gala.

Related News

The Dr. N. Joyce Payne Research Center and Gallup to unveil landmark HBCU alumni study during signature Martha’s Vineyard event

The Dr. N. Joyce Payne Research Center (Payne Center) — the research arm of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) — will partner with Gallup to host “Proof of Promise: The Lasting Value and Impact of an HBCU Education,” an invitation-only event unveiling the nation’s largest study of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) alumni. […]

Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s DevCon Houston scholars are bringing the heat

The second regional DevCon event hosted by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is underway in Houston. Designed for first- and second-year students representing public and private historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and predominantly Black institutions (PBIs), the multi-day conference offers a deep dive into professional and leadership training. Through collaborative workshops, attendees connect […]

HBCU HEROES Week brought together strengths coaches and campus leaders to build a national network

Participants from the University of the District of Columbia, Prairie View A&M University, Drake State Community & Technical College, St. Philip’s College and Shelton State Community College recently gathered for HBCUs Embracing and Retaining Our Everyday Strengths (HEROES), an intensive week of training designed to build relationships, establish community and prepare attendees for Gallup’s CliftonStrengths […]