Miss America 2014, Nina Davuluri Added to Multi-cu

Washington, DC, Oct. 21, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is pleased to add reigning Miss America, Nina Davuluri to their star-studded list of guests attending their 25 ^th Awards Gala next month. 

Nina Davuluri , the pride of Fayetteville, NY, will make a stop in Washington, DC to show her support to TMCF and participate in a very special presentation for the evening as she continues her media  tour  after making history as the first Indian-American woman to win the pageant. Davuluri embodies the spirit of so many Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in showcasing and celebrating diversity through cultural competency, which is her personal platform during her reign as Miss America.

"We are extremely excited to have the reigning Miss America, Ms. Nina Davuluri, be a part of our Gala next month," says TMCF president & CEO, Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. "Her platform around diversity is an extremely important message which ties directly into our objective of building the next generation of diverse global leaders."

Other honored guests confirmed to attend the event include: Congressman John Lewis , often called one of the most courageous individuals the Civil Rights Movement ever produced.  Congressman Lewis, will be doing a special VIP book signing, courtesy of Barnes & Noble. Other special guests include educational advocate, HRH Prince Stefan de Montenegro ; hip-hop stars and youth activists, MC Lyte and Lil Mama ; General Dennis L. Via , who will receive the TMCF 2013 Alumni Leadership Award during TMCF's Leadership Institute; Washington Redskins all-star running back, Alfred Morris ; education pioneer and Founder of Teach for America, Wendy Kopp , and the daughter of the 11 ^th Duke of Marlborough, Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill . This amazing group of special guests will join America's Favorite Dad, Bill Cosby and Broadway's original Dreamgirl , Jennifer Holliday as TMCF host an impressive group of Congressional Members, Fortune 500 executives, and HBCU Presidents/Chancellors at the Washington Hilton.

The Awards Gala, themed  "Developing Minds ... Delivering Dreams", celebrates the achievements of the country's foremost visionaries who have used their status to support education and positively impact the lives of students attending HBCUs. Proceeds from the event enable TMCF to continue its programmatic and capacity building work as a critical link between students getting the most from their education and the opportunity to become a part of a new generation of global leaders.  

"We are looking forward to an amazing evening on Veteran's Day and having these individuals give their time to support education and an organization like TMCF that does so much to help so many deserving students is commendable," said Gala Chairman and CEO of GALLUP, Jim Clifton. "It makes me proud to have GALLUP be the presenting sponsor for the Gala this year."

For more information about the Gala, visit: www.TMCFDCGala.com.  ;

For press and celebrity inquiries, contact: gdefranco@ilmdefranco.com, 310-595-5085; Florence@ilmdefranco.com for red carpet -- International Luxury Media www.internationalluxurymedia.com

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ABOUT THE THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE FUND

Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is named for the U.S. Supreme Court's first African-American Justice. Established in 1987, TMCF supports and represents nearly 300,000 students attending its 47 member-schools that include public Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), medical schools and law schools. TMCF helps students with a clear intention and the motivation to succeed and acquire a high-quality college education at an affordable cost. TMCF also efficiently connects high performing, world-ready students with top tier employment opportunities --access that students or employers might not have on their own. Through its scholarships and programs, TMCF plays a key role in preparing the leaders of tomorrow.

TMCF is a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt organization and for more information about TMCF and its initiatives, visit  www.ThurgoodMarshallCollegeFund.org .

TMCF Public Relations - Tangie Newborn, 301-526-9017