TM² Executive Search (TM²), an executive search firm specializing in the Black college community and a subsidiary of Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), was relaunched in March and has quickly achieved success.
Dr. Dakota Doman is the executive director and managing principal at TM² and has steered the firm through its early success.
“We have launched nearly 40 executive searches since March and one indicator of growth is the type of searches institutions are counting on us to lead,” Doman said. “We have conducted multiple presidential, chief advancement officer and chief financial officer position searches. The advancement and CFO positions are widely considered hard-to-fill positions, but we have been able to experience success in attracting impressive candidates.”
Doman also said TM² has launched more HBCU leadership searches in 2024 than any other firm.
Another indicator of growth he pointed to is TM²’s appeal to institutions outside of TMCF member schools.
“Getting high profile searches like the vice president for university advancement at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) is a strong vote of confidence to the work we are doing, as PVAMU is one of the largest HBCUs in the nation in terms of enrollment and endowment,” Doman said. “To entrust us with identifying their inaugural vice president for university advancement is a strong indicator of growth.”
Other campaigns include Wiley University, Benedict College, Philander Smith University and Paul Quinn College. TM² has had to hire more staff as a result of their demand.
“We have onboarded three additional executive search consultants to assist with the uptick in business we have received and just onboarded a senior director of business operations,” Doman said. “All of our team members have significant higher education experience and strong educational, professional and personal ties to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).”
Doman said he finds the work gratifying and that it’s his dream job.
“Back in 2014 when I was doing my doctoral studies, I told my classmates that one day I wanted to work at a search firm that specializes in recruiting executives to HBCUs,” Doman said. “At that time, no such firm existed as TM² would not be founded until two years later, so it is always an incredulous feeling that I get to do exactly what I dreamt of doing a decade ago.”
Garnering attention from an array of institutions, including those outside of HBCUs, predominantly Black institutions (PBIs) and historically Black community colleges (HBCCs), has also been gratifying.
“TM² stands out because of our boutique firm advantages, diverse experience, efficient execution and adaptable approach,” Doman said. “These factors collectively make us an attractive partner for a wide variety of institutions, enabling us to expand our impact beyond the Black college community realm and into the broader educational landscape.”
TM² has not yet conducted any searches for institutions outside the Black college community but has received offers and inquiries.
Doman said the most rewarding part of the work is the profound impact the firm has on the institutions and communities they serve.
“Every day, I have the privilege of working closely with Black institutions to identify leaders who will shape the future of education and drive transformative change,” Doman said. “One of the most fulfilling aspects of our work is seeing the direct results of our efforts.”
He credits support from TMCF as the catalyst for TM²’s success.
“Starting with Dr. Harry Williams and his executive team, TMCF is truly committed to providing support to our nation’s HBCUs, PBIs and HBCCs and they recognize the importance of ensuring these institutions have strong executive leadership,” Doman said. “Without assistance from the TMCF marketing team, IT team, legal team, HR team and the Dr. N. Joyce Payne Center for Social Justice, TM² would not be as successful as it has been.”
For more information, visit tm2search.com.
