Celebri
ties, leaders and multi-talented professionals came together to participate in the week-long program iLEAD – South Africa, held inJohannesburg,South Africa, from June 10th-17th. Some of the celebrities who attended included Kenny Lattimore, MC Lyte, Lammon Rucker and Lil Mama, just to name several. This empowerment initiative was presented by The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) who has represented nearly 300,000 students attending its organization.
During the event, TMCF collaborated with Valiant Innovative Creations, a leading edge company that prides itself in being inventive, ingenious and imaginative in its approach to business. “We are excited to collaborate with partners in other countries to open doors for exchange between TMCF member-schools and students from all over the world – engaging them in the opportunities offered by TMCF and the nation’s public HBCUs,” says TMCF President & CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.
The iLEAD – South Africa is the newest component of the TMCF Payne Global Initiative, named after TMCF Founder, Dr. N. Joyce Payne. It was designed to empower young people through a series of panel discussions and events. Some of the components emphasized in hopes of inspiring our next generation of global leaders were Inspiration, Leadership, Education, Aspiration, and Determination. “As an entertainer and entrepreneur, I have spent my life finding ways to motivate the next generation,” says hip hop legend and businesswoman MC Lyte.
The event was open to the public. Over 1,000 students, as well as teachers and parents participated in the forums and panel discussions. “As an entertainer who has been very fortunate, it is important that I give back to inspire the youth in South Africa as they prepare to make critical life choices. I hope other celebrities will step up and support initiatives like this,” says the international singer Kenny Lattimore.
Sponsors and partners of the event included Valiant Innovative Creations, FedEx, Motlholotlholo Consulting, SABC 1, Stratica Group, Hip Hop Sisters Foundation, and The Black Gents of Hollywood. In the future TMCF is looking to expand the program into other countries together with the United States. During the commemoration of Youth Month in South Africa, iLEAD – South Africa will be an annual program.
For more information about Thurgood Marshall College Fund please visit www.ThurgoodMarshallCollegeFund.org.
Last modified: April 16, 2023
