The Thurgood Marshall College Fund announced over $5.6M was raised at Monday night's 31st Anniversary Awards Gala. The audience consisted of over 400 students that attended TMCF's Leadership Institute, and over 1,000 civic, corporate, government and education leaders from around the country at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.

Congressman Mark Walker (R, NC) and Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax (D, VA) presented Dr.Glenda Baskin Glover, president of Tennessee State University, and international president, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, with TMCF's Educational Leadership Award; Dennis A. Muilenburg, chairman, president and chief executive officer of The Boeing Company, was the TMCF CEO of the Year Award honoree; and Leslie T. Thornton, senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of WGL Holdings Inc. and Washington Gas, received the TMCF Thurgood Marshall Legacy Award.

"I'm extremely honored and humbled to receive the 2018 Educational Leadership Award," said Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover. "Thank you to Thurgood Marshall College Fund, for this prestigious recognition."

The gala host was TMCF's president and CEO, Dr. Harry L. Williams. Urban One was this year's exclusive media partner and special guest presenters included TV personalities Nene Leakes, Terrence J, as well as Miss USA 2017, Kára McCollugh. Thanks to gala entertainment partner Honda, North America, guests were treated to a live performance by GRAMMY Award nominee, Alvin Garrett alongside Washington DC's own, Howard Gospel Choir.

"The millions raised at our gala highlights precisely why TMCF continues to stand out as the premier higher education organization committed to supporting the students attending our nation's publicly-supported HBCUs," said Dr. Harry L. Williams, TMCF president & CEO. "This was an awesome evening for the entire Black College and higher education community."

Gala Chairman Jim Clifton, chairman and CEO of Gallup, announced Breakthru Beverage Group Co-Chairman, Charles Merinoff would succeed him as the new Chairman of the TMCF Board of Directors. "I believe this is the single most important thing that I have ever been involved in, the ability to impact our future generation of leaders. This will be the most exciting thing that I have ever been a part of," said Merinoff. "Becoming Chairman of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, is the single greatest thing I believe that I have done. It is an amazing validation of all the work that I have done. I could not be prouder."

In 2018 alone, TMCF dispersed over $3.5M in student scholarships. With Monday night's success, the anniversary gala has raised well over $50M since 1987.

Note: TMCF president & CEO, Dr. Harry L. Williams is available for further comment.

For more information on TMCF, the gala or this year's honorees, visit https://www.tmcf.org/our-events/31st-anniversary-awards-gala.

ABOUT THE THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE FUND (TMCF)

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 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 PK-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.