For Norfolk State University (Norfolk State) student A’lauren Gilchrist, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) turned a dream into reality and then went above and beyond to make it happen.
The aspiring reporter and broadcast journalist recently had the opportunity to shadow TMCF staff during the organization’s annual Leadership Institute, working hands-on with the media production team behind one of the largest professional development conferences for students of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
Gilchrist spent the week assisting with production operations, equipment setup and the run of show, gaining firsthand experience in how a major event comes to life behind the scenes.
“It was truly the opportunity of a lifetime,” Gilchrist said. “TMCF saw my potential and gave me a chance to learn and grow. By the end of the week, I felt so much stronger in my skills and amazed by everything they taught me and allowed me to do.”
A dedicated TMCF yard ambassador, Gilchrist has received several opportunities through the organization including networking, mentorship, and career development workshops. She credits TMCF’s community of scholars for helping her discover programs and experiences she might not have found otherwise.
“TMCF has really taught me how to pivot and keep going,” she said. “Not to worry about the critics or conflicts, but to move forward and continue making progress, because that’s how you reach your goals.”
In addition to her involvement with TMCF, Gilchrist made history as the first-ever national student representative for the National Association of Black Journalists at NSU. On campus, she remains deeply engaged in leadership and media initiatives.
But one goal had always stood out: shadowing a major media production team at a conference.
When she attended Leadership Institute in 2024, she was inspired by the event’s professional execution and asked a staff member if there were any opportunities to shadow the media and operations team. Though such an opportunity had never been offered before, TMCF went out of its way to create one by designing a customized shadowing experience for Gilchrist the following year.
“This shadowing role was pivotal for me,” Gilchrist said. “I learned about leadership, problem-solving in media, production management and how to be adaptable, skills I’ll carry into my future as a journalist.”
