CONNECT . MOTIVATE . INSPIRE .
PROJECT FEATURE the HBCU Transformation TMCF THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE FUND
BY ROB KNOX
D uring a recent panel at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) conference in Birmingham, Alabama, Thurgood Marshall College Fund President & CEO Harry L. Williams shared that the recent Supreme Court decision on affirmative action “was a personal attack on Thurgood Marshall's legacy and what he woke up for every single day to fight against.” While that decision goes counter to the countless battles for human rights and equality that Justice Thurgood Marshall fought during his distinguished career; TMCF's resolve is more vital than ever as it continues to champion ambitious students while providing pathways to social and economic mobility for students from marginalized and under-resourced communities through scholarships and targeted programming. Like many students, they need support, and that's where the tireless work of TMCF comes into play, which is more
critical than ever. Supreme Court Justice Marshall believed that due to the legacy of discrimination in America, it should be a state interest of the highest order that Black Americans be fully integrated into every part of society. The Supreme Court's decision to remove race as a consideration in college admissions is an unfortunate step backward in the journey to create equal opportunity for everyone in America. The Supreme Court decision highlights how critical the mission of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund is as it continues to work to create an equitable society. TMCF is an expert force in educational equity, making higher education more accessible and creating opportunities for generations of students systematically excluded from most of America's key institutions.
decision, thanks to the generous philanthropic efforts of Blue Meridian Partners ($124 Million Contribution), TMCF joined forces with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), Partnership for Education Advancement in a strategic investment to form the HBCU Transformation Project, an unprecedented coalition to collaborate as a network of institutions, learning from each other and leveraging its joint power to elevate the visibility of HBCUs, increase awareness of the impact and encourage investment. The HBCU Transformation Project, developed by Black leaders in higher education, propels transformation efforts at Historically Black Colleges and Universities while jumpstarting strategic efforts at others to expedite improvements each institution prioritizes at this pivotal point in their and the nation's history.
For nearly 200 years, HBCUs have achieved outsized success despite
Even before the Supreme Court
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