Thurgood Marshall College Fund Hamptons summer brunch event results in generous $200,000 pledge
August 06 2024 - 10:15AM
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Impact Now: Hamptons
Summer Brunch brought more than 100 attendees together to learn
more about the non-profit organization and resulted in a generous
$200,000 pledge from Dr. Mark Frohman. Frohman has collaborated
with TMCF on projects in the past, including forging a partnership
between the organization, the University of Rochester (his alma
mater), and TMCF member-schools Southern University and A&M
College, North Carolina A&T University, and the University of
Maryland Eastern Shore.
The cultivation event, co-hosted by TMCF board chair Racquel
Oden and board director Sandra Hurse, was held in celebration of
the organization's more than 37 years of representing students at
public historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs),
historically Black community colleges (HBCCs) and predominantly
Black institutions (PBIs). It is the second event of TMCF’s IMPACT
NOW campaign, which includes regional events designed to foster
brand awareness and funding that directly contributes to the
educational advancement of deserving students.
It was an honor to host this event, and we are truly grateful to
Mark for his generous gift, which will profoundly impact students
attending our nation's public HBCUs,” Oden said. “We are thrilled
to have raised more than $240,000 at this cultivation and
brand-raising IMPACT NOW event.”
Attendees heard testimony from McKinley Lowery III, a TMCF
scholar with a bachelor’s degree in business from Norfolk State
University and a master’s in human capital management from
Columbia. Guests also met other TMCF scholars, including Bryana
Pittman, a student at Florida A&M University, and Marcellus
Northington, a North Carolina A&T State University student. The
students shared their stories about the impact TMCF has had on them
by providing access to college, development conferences that
inspired personal growth and how their experience helped prepare
them for careers after graduation. Northington also produced a
painting for the occasion that, in his words, illustrates a
narrative of hope and advancement for African Americans in the
United States and features Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall
as the central figure in the piece.
“It’s so compelling to hear from our TMCF scholars about their
academic and professional journeys,” Oden said. “They are the
reason Thurgood Marshall College Fund exists and it’s a great
reminder of the impact it provides.”
Notable guests included TMCF founder Dr. N. Joyce Payne, The
View co-host Sunny Hostin, philanthropists Karen and Charles
Phillips and NBA executive and TMCF board member Tatia L.
Williams.
“We had a wonderful experience at the Hamptons and I’m thankful
for the board leadership shown by Racquel and Sandra,” Dr. Harry L.
Williams, TMCF president & CEO, said. “I’m also grateful to Dr.
Frohman, who set the tone of the event with his generous
pledge.”
About the Thurgood Marshall College Fund
Established in 1987, the Thurgood Marshall
College Fund (TMCF) is the nation’s largest organization
exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF member
schools include the publicly supported Historically Black Colleges
and Universities, Historically Black Community Colleges and
Predominantly Black Institutions, enrolling nearly 80% of all
students attending Black colleges and universities. Through
scholarships, capacity building and research initiatives,
innovative programs, and strategic partnerships, TMCF is a vital
resource in the K-12 and higher education space. The organization
is also the source of top employers seeking top
talent for competitive internships and good jobs. TMCF is
a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. For more
information about TMCF, visit www.tmcf.org.
- TMCF Hamptons Summer Brunch leadership
- TMCF Hamptons Summer Brunch students
Clara Ross Stamps
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund
240-931-0696
clara.stamps@tmcf.org