Page 3 - TMCF Annual Report, 2022

LETTER FROM
The year 2022 marked a number of important events, key among them TMCF’s 35th anniversary!
What Dr. N. Joyce Payne started in honor of Justice Thurgood Marshall has not only endured, but continually thrived. I cannot stress enough how honored and privileged I am to have led this amazing organization over the past five years.
Our incredible team charged full steam ahead to make our 35th year a banner year, indeed. We maintained or expanded all major TMCF partnerships, and established new alliances, including growing partnerships with TMCF’s signature program, the Leadership Institute.
The generosity of our strategic partners this year cannot be overstated or thanked enough. The NBA provided $250,000 in financial backing, The Boeing Company added an $8 million commitment through 2026, and Novartis will provide $10 million over the next 10 years.
As a result of these and other efforts, TMCF nearly doubled funding from last year. Let me repeat that, nearly doubled!
On this significant anniversary year, it is most fitting to have witnessed the historical confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Justice Jackson’s confirmation mirrors the momentous confirmation of our organization’s namesake.
We remain hopefully optimistic Justice Jackson will be an ardent force for change like our namesake, which
is needed now more than ever. Racial injustices were
unfortunately ever-present in 2022, such as terroristic threats against numerous HBCUs. TMCF publicly condemned these attacks and stood in unwavering solidarity with the HBCU community.
It is these types of injustices that drove us to launch the Dr. N. Joyce Payne Center for Social Justice. This now crucial TMCF component was created to honor our founder’s commitment to promote policy, racial equity and social justice. Now in its second year, I am pleased to report that the center’s momentum continues to grow.
This year also marked our country’s return to in-person activities stemming from COVID-19. TMCF’s team and our supporters stepped up in every way to make this adjustment more manageable for our HBCU member schools. On an even brighter note, this allowed us to welcome back our Leadership Institute conference and gala fundraiser, where we presented the NBA with our inaugural Champion of Diversity award.
On behalf of the TMCF team, I salute the partners, sponsors and donors who made our 35th anniversary year so impactful and uniquely special. I am very excited and encouraged at what’s to come.
Let’s go! Sincerely,
Harry L. Williams President & CEO
THE CEO
THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE FUND 3