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Thurgood Marshall College Fund Raises Record $3.8 Million At Fund’s 21st Annual Gala; Janet Jackson Recipient Of First-Ever ‘Breaking Barriers’ Award

*Just like an Ambassador greeting heads of state, an imperial like Dwayne Ashley, president & CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), greeted a sea of VIPs and celebrities on the red-ucation carpet at the stellar awards dinner gala on Monday, October 27, 2008, bringing to a majestic end the TMCF’s 21st Anniversary Weekend in New York City that took place from October 24 through 27, 2008.

The four-day event celebrated 21 years of the “Mind Is A Terrible Thing to Waste” organization of extending educational and leadership development opportunities to students and raising funds to support leadership development and capacity building at the nations 47 public Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and six Historically black law schools.

Themed Celebrating 21 Remarkable years of Investing in the Power of Knowledge, The Sky is the Limit! -- the highly anticipated and capacity packed dinner capped off an exciting weekend consisting of four main events:

TMCF conference jumped off on Friday, October 24 with the Recruitment Conference and Career Fair. The 8th Annual Leadership Institute Recruitment Conference & Career Fair is the largest recruitment conference in the nation dedicated to providing leadership development and professional development training to HBCU students.

Themed Critical Thinking: Real World, Real Time Decisions, the Leadership Institute brings together students attending TMCF's 47 member public HBCUs with top executives to prepare students to be more competitive professionals. The conference has a recruiting component that will allow students to VIEW potential career opportunities with many of the nation's leading corporations and government agencies.

On Saturday evening, October 25, TMCF hosted The 3rd Annual Front Row Fashion Show at Roseland featuring a runway show with the latest apparel and accessories from several of the industry's leading fashion designers. The Front Row Fashion Show is held annually to honor some of the fashion industry's top professionals and style icons who have advanced and influenced African-American style and African Americans' achievements in the industry.

On Sunday, October 26, Saks Fifth Avenue hosted The Prestige Awards recognizing the achievements of individuals who are young, talented and have made notable contributions to their professions, industries and communities. The Prestige Award is one of the highest awards presented annually to honorees that consistently demonstrate leadership and embody the commitment and legacy of the late Justice Thurgood Marshall.

The stellar awards dinner gala on Monday, October 27, 2008 began with a VIP reception at 6:00 pm followed by a general reception at 7:00 pm at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers. Ashley, who set the tone for the regal celebration wearing an elegantly designed black-tie suit, flashed his signature smile of assurance that the state of TMCF couldn’t be better.

This year’s Anniversary Awards Dinner Gala broke an all-time fundraising record raising $3.9 million of which over $500,000 was donated by major corporations including The Gallup Organization and IBM. Over 2,000 national businesses, civic leaders, leaders in higher education, college students and celebrities attended. “America voted for Education last night by investing in TMCF’s mission to provide leadership development and scholarships to students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” said Ashley.

Award-winning actor Mekhi Phifer hosted the 21st anniversary awards dinner in which the organization’s highest honors were handed out to individuals who embody the legacy of Thurgood Marshall through their commitment to the Fund and its mission. Recording artists Jon B. and Tony Rich performed soulful cuts from their respective albums during the celestial ceremony.

Other participants in the program included an opening performance by Jackson State University Jazz Ensemble; an invocation by Rev. Cindy Carr, Minister of Youth, St. James AME Church, Newark, NJ; Nia Long who introduced the student testimonials; Gail E. Slaughter, Esq., counsel, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, who delivered sponsor greetings; and a special music performance by Jazzical with Joel A. Martin.

James Mitchell Jr., senior managing director, GE Asset Management, and Johnny C. Taylor Jr., president and CEO, RushmoreDrive.com, an IAC Company, served as dinner co-chairs. Kudos to ace event planners Cheryl Gentry, Glow Media, and Steve Manning, Steve Manning & Associates, for always coming through with great celebrities and fabulous swag bags.

During the prestigious anniversary awards dinner, five individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to public HBCUs, students, higher education and TMCF's mission were honored.

The 2008 recipients of the prestigious TMCF sculpture commissioned by designer and sculptor Donald Brown included Dr. Ralph M. Schrader, chairman and CEO, Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. (corporate leadership award presented by Reginald Van Lee, senior vice president, Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. and James Whaley, president, Siemens Foundation, Siemens Corporation); and James K. Clifton, chairman and CEO, The Gallup Organization and chairman, board of directors, TMCF (founder's award presented by Dwayne Ashley and Dr. N. Joyce Payne, founder, TMCF).

Also Dr. Ronald Mason, Jr., president, Jackson State University (education leadership award presented by LeLand R. Speed, chairman of the board, Eastgroup Properties & Parkway Properties and Ben Wells, president & CEO, Crescent Guardian Inc.); and Noel Hankin, senior vice president, multicultural relations, Moet Hennessy (community leadership award presented by Jim Clerkin, executive vice president & CEO, Moet Hennessy USA and Maurice DuBois, anchor, CBS2 News This Morning, WCBS-TV).

Janet Jackson, entertainer/actress/humanitarian, was presented with the first ever breaking barriers award by Johnny C. Taylor Jr. Unfortunately Ms. Jackson was unable to attend the stellar evening and accepted her award via video. Sharon Leal, Michael Jai White and Malik Yoba who co-starred with Ms. Jackson in Tyler Perry’s #1 box office hit, “Why did I Get Married?,” congratulated Ms. Jackson prior to presenting a video tribute to her.

"Thurgood Marshall College Fund's Anniversary Weekend represents 21 years of this organization helping to fulfill the dreams of nearly 8,000 students who have earned college degrees and 21 years of helping to prepare young people to lead on a global scale," said Ashley. "TMCF continues to make a tremendous impact on higher education, leadership preparation, talent recruitment and societal progress."

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Inc., named for the late U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice, was established in 1987 and represents 47 public Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) located in 22 states with a population of well over 235,000 students. Over the last 21 years, Thurgood Marshall College Fund has awarded more than $91 million in scholarships, programmatic, and capacity support, enabling over 7,500 students to attend public Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Thurgood Marshall College Fund also provides internship programs and joins corporate and foundation partners in providing leadership training and support to students preparing for undergraduate and professional schools. Thurgood Marshall College Fund is a 501(c) 3, tax-exempt organization. (Photos: Steve Azzara, Wilson Morales and Ronnie Wright)