 DWAYNE ASHLEY,
Chief Executive Officer/President
Dwayne Ashley, the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), is a 19-year nonprofit and fundraising executive. As CEO, he guides TMCF to achieve its mission, as a comprehensive higher education assistance organization representing 47 public Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Mr. Ashley leads the organization’s long-term planning and guides the overall strategic direction of the organization.
Under his leadership, TMCF surpassed $68 million in support raised for scholarships, capacity building and programs, 85 percent of the organization’s gross revenues since its founding in 1987.
Mr. Ashley joined Thurgood Marshall College Fund in 1999 as Executive Director, and was appointed as President the following year. In 2004, TMCF’s Board of Directors named him Chief Executive Officer. As the organization’s primary spokesperson, he works closely with the Board in steering the organization to achieve its mission and long-range goals. Under his leadership, TMCF has broadened its mission from scholarships to innovative programs such as capacity building, leadership development, member university professional institute exhibit, school reform, research and HBCU talent sourcing.
Mr. Ashley is known for his innovative program development skills that are always tied to measurable outcomes. With a passion for knowledge and positioning the organization to be an expert at its mission, he has spearheaded various studies for TMCF, including the Economic Impact Snapshot of Public HBCUs, Scholarship Evaluation Report, Public HBCU Demographic Study, The 2006 Gender Study, “Understanding Gender at Public Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” and most recently, “Recruiting Talent From HBCUs: A Groundbreaking Analysis of How Corporations and Government Recruit Talent From Historically Black Colleges and Universities”.
A Cum Laude graduate of Wiley College with a Bachelor of Science degree, he also has a master’s degree in Governmental Administration from the University of Pennsylvania’s Fel’s School of Government. Additionally, Mr. Ashley has earned executive certifications from the Indiana University School of Philanthropy’s Fundraising Program, and the Texaco Non Profit Executive Leadership Program.
Author and Speaker
In 2004, he co-authored the best selling book with noted author and historian, Juan Williams, I’ll Find a Way or Make One, which chronicles the history of the nation’s HBCUs. He is also the author of the recently released Dream Internships! It’s Not Who You Know …It’s What You Know.
He is widely published and has authored numerous chapters, articles and opinion-editorials which have been published in newspapers and magazines nationally. He also continues to lead TMCF’s publishing activities, which include books, studies and reports.
Recognized as one the nation’s foremost authorities in education advocacy and non profit management, he is a highly sought speaker and lecturer on fundraising, leadership and non-profit management. He has delivered more than 1,000 speeches throughout his career.
Board Positions, Honors and Recognition
Mr. Ashley currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Gallup Organization, the New York-based Evidence Dance Company and the Doley Foundation. He was appointed a Commissioner for Historic Preservation Commission by the Mayor of Newark in 2006.
He has served on the board of the National Society of Fundraising Executives (now the American Society of Fundraising Professionals) in Philadelphia and New York City, and recently completed his term as a member of the Newark Public Library Board of Trustees.
Mr. Ashley has been named to Ebony magazine’s “100 Most Influential Black Americans” list for five consecutive years and is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of the District of Columbia; Distinguished Alumnus Award from Langston University; Positive Image Award from the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity; and numerous other awards and honors. He holds membership in the Association of Black Foundation Executives, and the Council of Foundations as well as Life Membership in his beloved Fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Inc.
Career Path
Mr. Ashley is a 19-year fundraising and nonprofit veteran with more than $100 million raised throughout his career. He began fundraising as a college student for the United Negro College Fund. Throughout his career, he has worked for United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast, UNCF, and 100 Black Men of America. In his sophomore year of college, he served as an LBJ Intern at the Federal Judicial Center in Washington, where he first met the late Associate Justice Thurgood Marshall.
Education
A Cum Laude graduate with a Bachelor of Science from Wiley College, Texas’ oldest historically black college, he also has a master’s degree in Governmental Administration from the University of Pennsylvania’s Fel’s School of Government. Mr. Ashley has continued to sharpen his skills with continuing education and earned Executive Certifications from the Indiana School of Philanthropy’s Fundraising Program, and the Texaco Non Profit Executive Leadership Program.
A native of Houston, Texas with strong roots to his family in Louisiana, he resides in New Jersey. He is a writer and is currently working on several books on nonprofit management, fundraising, and youth career development. His hobbies include: researching African-American leaders from the Civil Rights Movement, historic restoration, running, and biking.
 REGINALD THOMPSON,
Vice President of Operation and Finance
Reginald Thompson is the Vice President of Operations/Finance for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF). Mr. Thompson brings more than 12 years of non profit finance and accounting experience to his role. He has primary responsibility for overseeing the organization’s day to day operations and managing its finances.
He is responsible for ensuring that the organization's budgeting and financial management is sound. A recognized non- profit financial leader, he brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his role.
Prior to his appointment as Vice President of Operations/Finance, Thompson served as an executive with the Floating Hospital Inc., where he managed a multi million dollar budget and accounting functions.
Mr. Thompson's professional background includes serving as the acting Chief Financial Officer of Legal Action Center and a stint a Aaron Davis Hall where he oversaw Operations.
He is an alumnus of Hampton University, a Historically Black University in Virginia. He enjoys acting in his spare time.
JENNIFER WIDER
Vice President of Development
Jennifer Wider serves as the Senior Development Executive for the Fund and manage the oversight of the Fund’s Overall Annual Fundraising campaign of $15 million annually.
She has more than 18 years of fundraising, grants management, marketing and special events experience. Prior to joining the Fund, Jennifer was the National Director of Corporate Relations for the United Negro College Fund. In this role, she was responsible for a national $29 million corporate fundraising campaign, including annual support, restricted funds, in-kind gifts and sponsorships.
Jennifer served as Director of Financial Development for the National Congress of National Black Churches from September 1996 to October 2001. During her tenure, she was successful in securing major funding from federal government agencies, including the Department of Education, Department of Health, and the Department of Labor.
Her success rate also included securing grant renewals by working with program directors to ensure effective grants management, program implementation and evaluation. She worked for UNCF from June 1993 to September 1996 in the capacity of Assistant National Director of Corporations. In a three-year period, she was promoted from proposal writer to campaign manager and then to Assistant National Director of Corporations.
Ms. Wider is skilled in securing federal, state, and private grants in a broad range of areas, including education, social services, economic development, health and technology. She possesses an excellent background in proposal writing, program development and implementation, project management, research, and budgeting. Additionally, she is experienced in developing and implementing affinity, cause-related marketing and sponsorship programs between non-profits and leading Fortune 500 corporations.
Ms. Wider is a 1990 Graduate of Syracuse University with a B.S. in Marketing Management.
REBECCA BENNETT
Vice President of Programs
Rebecca Bennett is the Vice President of Programs for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF). She is responsible for managing and implementing Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s national programs including faculty development, scholarship management, student leadership development, university capacity building, college recruitment, research and publications.
Ms. Bennett also oversees the national program staff which includes regional career counselors, scholarship managers, program coordinators, and program management staff. She is instrumental in guiding the Fund to implement its expanded programs in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), leadership development, and the development of new on-campus leadership programs.
Ms. Bennett has over 20 years of professional experience in program and financial aid management. Rebecca began her career as a college recruitment manager for the United Negro College Fund where she served as an admissions and financial aid advisor for hundreds of students. She then went on to serve as the Assistant Director of Scholarship Programs at the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering. Ms. Bennett returned to the United Negro College to serve as the Executive Director for Programs. Ms. Bennett has had an accomplished career in scholarship and program management and HBCU capacity building programs.
Ms. Bennett received her bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from Pace University and is pursuing her master’s degree in Business Administration from Mary Washington University in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
MYKAL C. KNIGHT
Senior Director of Sales, Promotion and Advertising
Mykal C. Knight is the Senior Director of Sales, Promotion and Advertising. Mr. Knight brings more than 12 years of marketing, communications and sales experience to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF). He is responsible for broadening TMCF’s brand, cause related marketing relationships, internet marketing and developing new properties for the Fund. His division is one of the Fund’s major strategic growth areas.
His industry experience includes companies such as L’Oreal, Gucci Group, J. Crew and Johnson Publishing. Over his career, Mr. Knight is a veteran sales executive, and has a successful track record of generating millions in new business revenue. He is an expert at building effective marketing properties and forging relationships that yield returns.
Mr. Knight is an ambitious, dedicated, self-motivated marketing sales executive with a proven track record of exceeding annual revenue goals, by utilizing a consultative sales approach and creative thinking to implement multi-tiered, cross-promotional advertising campaigns for clients. He is a consummate professional with firm corporate ideals and flexibility, which has resulted in incremental revenue growth and media brand loyalty among clients.
Mr. Knight is a proud alumnus of TMCF''s Howard University and is active in his community.
DWIGHT RHODES
Project Director, Center for Innovative HBCU School Reform Partnerships
Dwight Rhodes is responsible for leading this national project that involves a combination of six newly created and redesigned high schools that have been partnered with Thurgood Marshall College Fund member institutions located in four states.
The program, supported by a grant form the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, aims to create or redesign several small high schools. Our sites, located primarily in the south in economically distressed areas, were selected through a competitve process. These newly created and redesigned schools, located in Maryland, Texas, Louisiana, and North Carolina are expected to service more than 2,500 students.
Over the past eleven years, Mr. Rhodes has had an accomplished career as an educator. First, as a middle school teacher and administrative intern at Sutton Middle School in Atlanta Public Schools and then as Principal of the historic Dr. William L. Cobb Elemenatry School in San Francisco, CA. While at Sutton, Mr. Rhodes was voted "Teacher of the Year" by his colleagues.
Mr. Rhodes received his bachelor's degree in Middle School Education from Georgia State University and his master's degree in Instructional Education from Central Michigan University. He also holds a specialist degree in Administrative Leadership from Cambridge College and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Cambridge College.
JAMAAL O. BAILEY
Director of Conferences and Special Events
Jamaal O. Bailey is the Director of Conferences and Special Events. Mr. Bailey brings over seven years of experience planning events to TMCF. He is responsible for negotiating contracts, selecting and working with vendors, and all logistics associated with TMCF conferences and special events. Prior to joining the TMCF team, he was the Deputy Executive Director for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Jamaal is a very organized, talented and detail oriented individual who strives for excellence and expects those who attend an event he plans to have a first class experience. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from Virginia State University (a TMCF Member School) and the Master of Science degree from the University of Baltimore. A quote that Jamaal lives by is “Action is the foundational key to success.” –Pablo Picasso
WILLIAM B. DAVISON, J.R.
Director of Communications
Will Davison has more than eight years experience as a public relations strategist with extensive experience in media relations, drafting press releases and opinion editorials, conducting focus groups, pitching the media, and event management. Prior to joining Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Davison was an account executive for the William Mills Agency, a financial public relations firm. He worked on accounts in the financial and mortgage industry including ValuFinders, InsideValuation, Lenders One, ChargeSmart and the Appraisal Foundation. Will has secured media placement for clients in publications including Bloomberg, BusinessWeek, Washington Post, American Banker and Mortgage Technology.
Will began his public relations career at Greer Margolis, a political consulting firm in the nation’s capital. He worked on accounts including Daimler Chrysler, The Gates Foundation, The National Airbag & Seatbelt Safety Campaign and The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Davison graduated from Temple University and earned a bachelor of arts in journalism with a concentration in public relations. He currently attends Bowie State University where he is finishing his graduate studies in organizational communications.
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