UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL NAMED INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR
Thurgood Marshall College Fund Presents its First Global Award at 24th Anniversary Dinner
MEDIA CONTACT
Hallema Sharif
hallema.clyburn@tmcfund.org
Phone: 212-573-8494
NEW YORK (OCTOBER 14, 2011) - The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) will host its 24th Anniversary Dinner on Monday, October 24, 2011, during which the organization’s first International Humanitarian of the Year Award will be presented to United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Hosted at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers, this prestigious annual gala marks 24 years of the advancement of TMCF’s core principle – Developing Minds … Delivering Dreams – as the organization grooms the nation’s future leaders of industry, government and education. The event also coincides with the 66th anniversary of the UN (United Nations Day). In commemoration, TMCF will celebrate the accomplishments of the UN by honoring Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his steadfast commitment to confronting global challenges and his ability to effectively mobilize world leaders to do the same.
“A true humanitarian endeavors to improve the human condition by serving as a change agent, working tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of those in need,” says TMCF President and CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. “As the TMCF International Humanitarian Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exemplary global activism and service, we believe UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon exemplifies this mission through his work, providing the impoverished with broad access to education, healthcare, food, and medicine. The paralleled efforts of the UN and TMCF are firmly rooted in the belief that education can drive economic and social progress.”
Reflecting on the honor, Ban Ki-moon states, “Education is fundamental to the advancement of peace and social equality on a global scale. To that end, as a global community, we are tasked with creating an environment conducive to the enrichment of young minds. I am truly humbled to receive this recognition from TMCF, an organization distinguished the world over for its commitment to empowerment through education.”
TMCF has an established history of developing the next generation of leaders through educational initiatives, both domestically and abroad. Through the years, TMCF has established an international collegiate exchange program, identifying exemplary degree programs in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics at universities in South Africa, China, Malaysia, and Singapore. Additionally, in April 2011, TMCF launched an International Collaboration Group (ICG) as part of an extensive global outreach effort by public Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Comprised of 11 of the 47 TMCF member institutions, the group was created to forge international partnerships while producing more “globally-informed” college graduates.
TMCF’s 24thAnniversary Dinner honors prominent leaders of community, business, education and government, and recognizes the achievements of 600 emerging graduates from colleges and universities from around the country. These institutions boast such alumni luminaries as Oprah Winfrey, Andrew Young, Ed Bradley, Earl G. Graves, Lionel Richie, Jerry Rice, and Leontyne Price, among others. The dinner serves as the primary fund-raiser to aid the nearly 300,000 students attending TMCF’s 47 public HBCUs in their goal of achieving a higher education.
For more information about the Anniversary Dinner, visit: http://www.thurgoodmarshallfund.net/li-anniversary-awards-dinner/anniversary-dinner-main
ABOUT THE THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE FUND
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), named for the U.S. Supreme Court's first African-American justice, was established in 1987. TMCF supports and represents nearly 300,000 students attending our 47 member schools, which include public Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). TMCF's work is critical to guaranteeing our country a robust and diverse pipeline of talented workers and future leaders.
TMCF achieves its vision of Changing the World … One Leader at a Time by focusing on: scholarships; capacity building and programmatic support; and public policy and advocacy. TMCF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization and has a "Four Star" rating by Charity Navigator. For up-to-the-minute information about TMCF and its initiatives, visit: www.thurgoodmarshallcollegefund.org.
ABOUT THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
Ban Ki-moon is the eighth person to occupy the office of Secretary-General to the United Nations. His priorities have been to unite world leaders around a set of new global challenges, from climate change and economic upheaval to pandemics and increasing pressures involving food, energy and water. He has sought to be a bridge-builder, to give voice to the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people, and to strengthen the organization itself.
“I grew up in war,” the Secretary-General said, “and saw the United Nations help my country to recover and rebuild. That experience was a big part of what led me to pursue a career in public service. As Secretary-General, I am determined to see this organization deliver tangible, meaningful results that advance peace, development and human rights.”
His Excellency, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, took office on January 1, 2007.
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), named for the U.S. Supreme Court's first African-American justice, was established in 1987. TMCF supports and represents nearly 300,000 students attending our 47 member schools, which include public Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). TMCF's work is critical to guaranteeing our country a robust and diverse pipeline of talented workers and future leaders.
TMCF achieves its vision of Changing the World … One Leader at a Time by focusing on: Scholarships, Capacity Building and Programmatic Support, and Public Policy and Advocacy. TMCF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization and has a "Four Star" rating by Charity Navigator. For up-to-the-minute information about TMCF and its initiatives, visit: www.thurgoodmarshallcollegefund.org.