(Black PR Wire) The president & CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) was recently inducted into the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame and received the organization’s Chairman’s Award.
Dr. Harry L. Williams, the president & CEO of TMCF, was inducted during the 41st annual National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Atlanta along with 13 other honorees.
“Standing in a room filled with dedicated alumni, educators and leaders who pour tirelessly into our historically Black colleges and universities is a powerful reminder of why this work matters,” Dr. Williams said. “We honor our legacy by continuing to open doors for the next generation of Black excellence.”
Dr. Williams was honored for his unwavering dedication to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in several roles, including as president of Delaware State University and now as president & CEO of TMCF. During his career, he has secured critical resources for scholars and expanded pathways to higher education, redefining leadership within the HBCU ecosystem.
Dr. Harry L. Williams (Black PR Wire)
“Thank you to the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. leadership and board for this recognition, to the entire Thurgood Marshall College Fund team, and our member schools and supporters who make our shared mission possible every day.”
The National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was founded in 1985 by Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., then president of the Council of National Alumni Associations (CNAA). Dortch proposed the organization to celebrate outstanding graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) while strengthening these institutions. That same year, the first National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Weekend took place in Atlanta, featuring an induction ceremony, golf tournament, and Competition of Black College Queens.
Inductions began in 1986 and have continued annually, recognizing more than 350 (and by some counts over 470) alumni across categories including arts and entertainment, athletics, business and industry, community service, education, government and law, medicine, science, and lifetime achievement. Notable early inductees include figures such as Herman J. Russell and Lionel Richie. The Foundation has expanded its programs over the decades, adding scholarships (exceeding $1.16 million awarded), leadership summits, the Andrew Young Emerging Leaders Initiative, Legacy of Leaders Awards, and events like the Tennis Challenge and culinary fundraisers.
Its core purpose is to serve as a catalyst and partner ensuring the stability, strength, and excellence of HBCUs. Through alumni recognition, scholarships, training, technical assistance, and humanitarian programs, the Foundation highlights HBCUs as vital institutions that transform potential into achievement. It fosters partnerships to increase visibility, encourage philanthropy, and prepare future leaders, preserving HBCU legacies while supporting students and graduates. Headquartered in Atlanta, it continues its annual Hall of Fame Weekend as a major fundraiser and celebration of excellence.