Washington -- WASHINGTON - U.S. Marines with Marine Corps Recruiting Command attended the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Leadership Institute and 30th Annual Awards Gala in Washington, Oct. 21-23, 2017.
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund, founded in 1987 and named after the first African-American Supreme Court Justice, helps fund and support approximately 300,000 students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), medical schools, and law schools.
During the event, Marines led students in morning work-outs, conducted classes regarding leadership and problem solving skills, and attended the organization’s 30th annual awards gala.
Capt. Nubari Kogbara, community engagement officer with Marine Corps Recruiting Command said the Marine Corps has had a successful partnership with TMCF since 2014 and events like these help provide qualified students with insight into becoming a Marine.
“The 2017 Thurgood Marshall College Fund Leadership Institute marks the fourth year the Marine Corps has partnered with TMCF,” said Kogbara. “Engagements like these allow recruiters to engage with the best and brightest college students from our historically black colleges.”
Col. Ahmed T. Williamson, commanding officer of Officer Candidates School, urged the students in attendance during his speech on leadership to utilize their talents not for their own self-gain, but to help lead, guide and mold those who may look up to them.
“I want to thank the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the mentors and especially you students who came out and are a part of the leadership institute,” said Williamson. “The work you are doing is extremely necessary. It is necessary because you are positively affecting the next generation of game changers… I want to challenge you, pressure you, encourage and admonish you to use your talents, abilities and gifts.”
Williamson asked the students after everything they have learned and the opportunities they’ve been given, what they will do with their potential.
“You’re the best and brightest talent, right?” asked Williamson. “When you step up to become a leader, go beyond just a degree. Being a leader means you step into something greater and you realize then that you can affect more than just yourself. Now is your time. What are you going to do with it?”