Harry L. Williams serves as president & CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF’s 47 member-schools make up the publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) which represent nearly 300,000 students. Under his leadership as President & CEO, TMCF has focused on creating innovative partnerships, increasing organizational sustainability, and advancing bipartisan advocacy.

As a strategic thinker and visionary, Williams has announced unique global partnerships with some of the nation’s most recognized corporations and brands such as The Boeing Company, Gucci, and Hennessy USA. He has also successfully reimagined long term partnerships with organizations such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Lowe’s, the NBA, and Wells Fargo, cementing TMCF has the premier source of major employers seeking top diverse talent for competitive internships and corporate careers.

Under Williams, TMCF has experienced tremendous growth, exceeding previous fundraising records and receiving increased notoriety for the charitable organization founded in 1987. A prolific fundraiser, Williams secured investments of over $20 million dollars and distributed over $13 million in student scholarships within his first term. TMCF launched a comprehensive fundraising initiative to ensure long-term organizational vitality, securing its fiscal ability to continue working to help identify and nurture diverse students to become the next generation of global leaders.

At TMCF Williams places a strong emphasis on creating bipartisan alliances. The organization has been at the forefront leading on every significant national legislative victory for HBCUs, earning respect and trust from elected and appointed leaders on both sides of the aisle in Congress to the White House. In 2019, TMCF’s number one legislative priority became law after successfully working behind the scenes to find the resources and form a coalition to see the FUTURE Act signed into law by President Trump.

In 2017, he made history becoming the first sitting university president to lead TMCF. As President of Delaware State University, Williams enjoyed a successful eight-year tenure, increasing student enrollment and forging new public/private multi-million-dollar partnerships, grants, and investments into the campus. He has received many awards and accolades for his career in higher education, and previously held senior positions at the University of North Carolina General Administration, Appalachian State University, and North Carolina A&T State University.

Dr. Williams earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Appalachian State University, a Doctorate from East Tennessee State University, and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Most importantly, he is a family man. His wife is Dr. Robin S. Williams, and they are the proud parents of two grown sons, Austin and Gavin. Austin and his wife Reagan both graduated from Howard University, and Gavin is a current Howard University scholar-athlete.

Download an official biography and photograph from the TMCF Press Kit.