Photo: Thurgood Marshall College Fund
Kennedy Blue Washington went to her first Thurgood Marshall College Fund event expecting to network and gain professional experience. Instead, she found a supportive community, new opportunities, and renewed confidence in her ability to achieve her goals.
Washington, a rising senior at Spelman College, first attended TMCF's DevCon conference in 2024. "That experience was amazing and life-changing, not only for me personally but also because it challenged me to think bigger and work toward new goals," Washington said. "The experience taught me about my strengths and what I could improve on."
She returned to DevCon in 2025, this time as a student speaker.
Washington also participated in the Moguls in the Making competition, an experience that introduced her to opportunities and people she said she may not have encountered otherwise. "I earned a scholarship that will help pay for my senior year of college, and the experience inspired me to keep pursuing my goals," she said.
Through TMCF programs, Washington built connections with students and professionals from across the country. "One of the biggest benefits was being surrounded by other HBCU students from different schools," she said. "You start to realize that everyone is on a similar journey. We all have different backgrounds and experiences, but there is a shared understanding because we attend HBCUs."
Washington said TMCF also helped her see herself differently. "Before I got involved with TMCF, I didn't always see myself succeeding at this level," she said. "Being part of these programs and hearing from so many accomplished people helped me realize that I can achieve my goals, too."
Washington also shared that while pursuing her studies, she lost her father — a loss that affected many aspects of her life and academic journey. During that time, she said the encouragement she received from TMCF and her peers made a meaningful difference. "There were moments when I felt like no one could understand what I was going through," she said. "But the support I received from TMCF showed me that there was always someone I could turn to for guidance and encouragement."
Reflecting on her experience, Washington said TMCF has provided both opportunities and a sense of community that continue to shape her future. "TMCF has opened so many doors for me," she said. "The organization has connected me with people who genuinely want to see me succeed, and it has given me opportunities that have changed my life."
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