Page 4 - TMCF CEO Impact Awards Charlotte 2025

Thurgood Marshall College Fund
901 F Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20004 Phone: 202.507.4851 Fax: 202.652.2934
GDear Friends and Supporters,
Welcome to the second Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) CEO Impact Award event in Charlotte! We
are delighted to have you with us tonight as we celebrate leadership, impact and the power of education.
First and foremost, I extend my deepest gratitude to our esteemed host committee chairs, Robert A. Engel and Jeffrey J. Brown, and our honorary chair, the Honorable Harvey B. Gantt. On behalf of our founder, Dr. N. Joyce Payne, and our board chair, Racquel Oden, we sincerely appreciate your dedication and leadership in making this evening possible.
Thanks to their efforts, we come together tonight to honor an extraordinary leader and changemaker. It is our privilege to recognize Eugene A. Woods as the recipient of the prestigious TMCF CEO Impact Award. His remarkable contributions and unwavering commitment to education and social progress have transformed countless lives, leaving an indelible mark on students across the nation.
Please join me in congratulating Gene and expressing our gratitude for his leadership, impact and generosity. I would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Honorable Mayor Vi Lyles and the wonderful people of Charlotte for welcoming us back to this great city. Charlotte’s dedication to higher education and its steadfast support of the Black college community makes it a fitting and inspiring setting for tonight’s event.
Additionally, we recognize the Honorable Alma S. Adams, who represents the people of North Carolina’s 12th
Congressional District. As the founder and co-chair of
the Bipartisan historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) Caucus in Congress, she works tirelessly with TMCF to ensure that HBCUs remain integral to our great nation’s economic and cultural fabric. Her unwavering advocacy for HBCUs continues to strengthen and sustain these institutions for future generations.
Your presence here underscores the importance of
investing in HBCUs and their students. For decades,
these institutions have been underfunded by hundreds
of millions—if not billions of dollars. Yet, they continue
to produce outstanding graduates who excel and uplift communities at an unparalleled rate. Imagine what could be accomplished with equitable resources. Tonight, we have the opportunity to help level the playing field.
We invite you to be part of this crucial mission. Your generous support will empower bright, deserving students to achieve their dreams and step into meaningful, sustainable careers. Please consider making a gift today by visiting https://www.tmcf.org/online-gift/.
Thank you for joining us in our shared commitment
to removing barriers and advancing the Black college community. Together, we can continue to transform lives and create a brighter future for the next generation of leaders.
Sincerely,
Dr. Harry L. Williams President & CEO
Email: info@tmcf.org
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