North Carolina Central University (NCCU) students Aamira Southerland and Jalaysha Tucker were selected to participate in Aramark’s HBCU Emerging Leaders Program, Feb. 27-29. In partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TCMF), the program offers career exploration and professional development opportunities for students at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
Southerland, a senior majoring in hospitality and tourism, and Tucker, a junior studying mass communication, were among the 11 HBCU students who immersed themselves in the two-day program at Aramark’s Philadelphia headquarters. Their agenda included executive meetings, an exclusive client location tour and networking sessions with Aramark employees, including HBCU graduates, HBCU Emerging Leaders Program alumni and members of Aramark resource groups.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the Emerging Leaders Program with Aramark. I was able to converse with wonderful individuals in leadership roles who look like me. With DEI being a huge topic right now in the corporate world, Aramark did a phenomenal job showing me that they truly practice DEI daily within the company,” said Tucker.
“Joining the program provided me with industry exposure, leadership development, skill enhancement and networking opportunities,” said Southerland. “Overall, participating in the TMCF Aramark Emerging Leaders program was a strategic step in leveraging my hospitality expertise to pursue a rewarding career in the hospitality industry.”
Launched in 2023, the HBCU Emerging Leaders Program welcomes students majoring in diverse fields, such as hospitality, culinary arts, business management, finance, project management and management information systems. The wide range reflects the variety of opportunities at a multinational hospitality enterprise like Aramark.
Established in 1987, the TMCF is the nation's largest organization dedicated to representing the Black college community. It supports and advocates for nearly 300,000 students attending its 53 member schools, including publicly-supported HBCUs, predominantly Black institutions (PBIs), historically Black community colleges (HBCC), medical schools and law schools. Notably, NCCU is a member school. To date, the organization has provided over $500,000 million in scholarships, career programs and capacity-building support to member schools and students.
For more information about Aramark’s HBCU Emerging Leaders Program, visit here.
