WASHINGTON, DC (OCTOBER 29, 2021) – The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and Stanley Black & Decker, with support from McCormick, Lowes, and Steelcase, announced today the selection of the inaugural cohort of the newly formed TMCF Stanley Black & Decker Innovation Challenge. The Fellows are hand-selected students from America’s publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs).

The 2.5-day intra and entrepreneurship training experience will be held Oct. 28-30 in
conjunction with TMCF’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E) Program. The Fellows will work side-by-side with Stanley Black & Decker, McCormick, Lowe’s, and Steelcase team members on real-world problems while developing design thinking skills and solving entrepreneurial challenges. During the event, students have the chance to go to workshops run by entrepreneurs and to participate in a business case competition. The Fellows will also have an opportunity to receive mentorship and coaching.

In 2019, Black Americans were becoming new entrepreneurs at a rate lower than that of their Latino and white counterparts, according to an analysis by Statista. I&E programs like the Stanley Black & Decker Innovation Challenge can be pivotal for young Black entrepreneurs because HBCUs play an outsized role in educating Black students. Recent data from McKinsey & Company shows that this kind of investment in HBCUs would profoundly affect our economy.

Training and developing the next generation of Black entrepreneurs is critical to TMCF’s vision and mission as an organization. Over the past seven years, nearly 1,000 students have participated in various I&E programs.

“With the support of Stanley Black & Decker, McCormick, Lowes, and Steelcase, TMCF is uniquely equipped to bring this important professional development experience to life for our I&E students across the nation,” said TMCF Vice President of Development Betsy Burton-Strunk. “HBCU students and Black entrepreneurs still face systemic and unconscious biases, so we have to continue to promote the excellence that comes out of these schools and continue to shine the light on these types of programs and the talent that exists.”

“We are impressed with the brilliant and passionate young minds participating in this outstanding event,” said Stanley Black & Decker Chief Diversity Officer, Joe Simms. “The idea for this Innovation Challenge stemmed from our African Ancestry employee resource group in an attempt to build stronger, more fruitful relationships with HBCU students and provide them opportunities to innovate and ideate. We are thrilled to partner with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Lowe’s, Steelcase and McCormick to bring this important event to life and encourage these students to pursue careers as entrepreneurs and makers.”

Stanley Black & Decker is a leading $14.5 billion global diversified industrial with 56,000 employees in more than 60 countries. The company knows that diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) are essential for fulfilling their purpose to honor, support and advance
those who make the world.

The TMCF Stanley Black & Decker Innovation Challenge Fellows are:

Alabama A&M University
• Kamsiyochukwu Arinze
• Samarion Flowers
• Shemaiah Mbetwa
• Olasubomi Olawepo
• Tyler Readus
• Ayanna Williams

Alabama State University
• Obaloluwa Olaniran
• Dylan Stallworth

Coppin State University
• Abayie Opuni

Howard University
• Tyahna Arnold
• Morgann Phillips
• Kenthia Roberts

Morgan State University
• Jabari Austin
• Mohamed Fadil Isamotu
• Kevin Lawrence, Jr.
• Jason Nweke

Philander Smith College
• Francis Oledibe

Southern University and A&M College
• Rason Irvin

Spelman College
• Mackenzie Carter

Tuskegee University
• Mary Johnson
• Jeremy Jones
• Gedasse Patterson
• Henry Moses

University of the Virgin Islands
• Jackeima Flemming

University of the District of Columbia
• Demario Asquitt

Virginia State University
• Kyla Best
• Treyvion J. Hall
• Kyle Jacobs
• Mekhi McKinney

York College
• Jessica Guaman

About the Thurgood Marshall College Fund
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 K-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.