There was a time when Tuskegee University senior Cameron Bell wasn’t sure college was the right path for her. But after becoming involved with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), she discovered a sense of belonging, purpose and possibility she hadn’t expected.
“TMCF was an extension of what I wanted,” Bell said. “The support and the growth they’ve given me means so much. I learned there is power in education. I am worthy to go to college. I am worthy to be educated.”
Bell said she felt embraced by TMCF from the very start.
“They had an attitude of, ‘We don’t know you yet, but we’re going to take you under our wing,’” she said. “They’ve done nothing but nurture me. It showed me that education isn’t just about hitting the books; it’s about community, too.”
Bell participated in several TMCF programs, including The Pitch and the Leadership Institute, where she was selected as a student speaker. She said meeting sponsors and donors was one of the most transformative parts of the experience.
“The networking was very intentional and beneficial,” Bell said. “TMCF has impacted me beyond just academics. They helped me plan my future and gave me social skills I could practice in real settings. TMCF gives you the foundation to build on and opens so many doors.”
She said she also found inspiration in the peers she met along the way.
“TMCF attracts some of the best and brightest students across the nation,” Bell said. “It’s inspiring to be surrounded by people who push you.”
With more than 500 HBCU scholars attending events like Leadership Institute, Bell said the environment encourages growth.
“It’s not a bad thing to be uncomfortable. When you’re uncomfortable, it means you’re growing,” she said.
