Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) successfully hosted its 2nd DevCon™, a professional development conference, presented by Medtronic, in Baltimore, MD, from Wednesday, March 6, through Saturday, March 9, 2024.
Crafted by the TMCF Ventures team, this leadership conference is an invaluable early touchpoint for Historically Black College and University (HBCU) students in their freshman and sophomore years. Attendees immersed themselves in professional and leadership training, engaged in hands-on workshops, gained insights into business essentials, and enjoyed direct access to TMCF’s esteemed corporate partners and opportunities.
“DevCon allows us to unite students, elevate skills, exchange insights, and shape the future of our workforce,” Deshawn Spellman, VP of TMCF Ventures said.
In the coming year, TMCF will extend its impact by hosting two regional DevCon™ conferences in Baltimore, MD, and Atlanta, GA. DevCon™ Baltimore installment drew participation from 400 HBCU students from Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. Under the theme “Bold Moves,” students were inspired to think innovatively.
“The lessons and theme ‘Bold Moves’ resonated with me and empowered me to go after my goals. Attending DevCon as a freshman or a sophomore at an HBCU is an experience that is extremely beneficial to developing connections and growing confidence for the future,” said William Evans, a Sophomore at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
The dynamic 4-day conference featured prominent business leaders guiding students through a comprehensive curriculum covering interview preparation, resume best practices, and defining one’s professional brand. DevCon™ Baltimore concluded with an impactful session featuring singer, actress, and mental health advocate Michelle Williams, who shared her personal journey with mental health.
“We’re starting to develop them professionally, teaching them about etiquette and how to network. Which is critically important for them to develop these skills early on because these are tools they’ll need throughout their careers,” said Cynthia Reese, Program Leader, Strategic Partnerships of Medtronic.
The conference’s presidential partners, including Wells Fargo, Adobe, and TEKsystems, played a pivotal role. Additional sponsors, such as Fund II Foundation Intern XL, UnitedHealth Group, Bank of America, CBRE, Krispy Kreme, RTX, ZS, TIAA, and PwC, contributed to the event’s success. TMCF looks forward to building on this momentum and creating lasting impacts for students at future DevCon™ conferences.