Written By Quintessa Williams
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund has made a groundbreaking shift in its Board of Directors organization. Raquel Oden has officially assumed role as Board Chair, the first woman to do so in TMCF’s near forty-year history.
Oden joins the Board of Directors after serving as a board member for 16 years. She also currently serves as Managing Director of Consumer Bank Network at JPMorgan Chase.
“As I step into this role, my commitment is to uphold the mission of TMCF by challenging inequities and providing access to opportunity for HBCU students.” Oden said.
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund was founded in 1987 by Dr. Joyce Payne. TMCF has long been a foundation of support for HBCU students seeking higher education. TMCF achieves an impressive graduation rate of 85-90% for its scholars. Moreover, 98% of the organization’s awards go to HBCUs and PBI’s every year, enabling students to stay enrolled to complete their academic goals.
As a Hampton University alum and trailblazer in the financial world, Oden brings a wealth of experience that TMCF plans to leverage as she assumes her new role. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from James Madison University and a MBA from Hampton.
“Oden’s appointment as Board Chair serves as a powerful symbol of TMCF’s dedication to promoting equity, particularly in the face of challenges to diversity and inclusion efforts following recent Supreme Court decisions on affirmative action.” said TMCF Board.
“In a climate where the importance of diversity is challenged, Oden’s leadership further underscores the organization’s genuine commitment to these values, signaling that TMCF’s pursuit of equity goes beyond rhetoric.”