PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (March 31, 2023) – Prairie View A&M University senior Jayven Jean-Louis was selected as a Yard Ambassador & Influencer (YA&I) for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Established in 1987, the TMCF is the nation’s largest organization, exclusively representing the black college community.
In 2022, TMCF established the YA&I program to engage student leaders making their way in a world that is increasingly connected through social media and other digital influences. In that vein, this inaugural class of YA&Is, including Jayven, have committed to creating a buzz about TMCF—and its scholarships, competitive internships and other opportunities—in creative ways on their college campuses.
“My biggest aspiration in this role is to represent HBCUs in the south since TMCF is better known on the east coast due to the location of its headquarters in Washington, DC,” said Jayven, a Port Arthur native. “I am grateful to represent Prairie View and ramp things up in this part of the country.”
In addition to visiting TMCF headquarters in the nation’s capital for orientation, Jayven had an opportunity to travel to New Jersey to represent PVAMU at a college fair held at the Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic, a college basketball tournament that showcases HBCUs. In addition to interacting with peers from around the country, a highlight for Jayven included meeting actor Michael B. Jordan, a co-creator of the event.
Jayven pictured with fellow YA&Is Jazmyn Wall (Tennessee State) and Anyiah Chambers (Kentucky State)
Jayven said, “A lot of students visiting my table hadn’t heard of Prairie View and were impressed by how multi-dimensional our school is with research, leadership development, community engagement and other growth opportunities to pursue beyond academics.”
According to Jayven, who is a double major in mass communication and computer science, creating narratives people can connect with—especially on digital platforms—comes naturally. To him, his love of storytelling makes him a good fit for this group of outgoing and creative students charged with tapping into different ways of amplifying the TMCF mission to their HBCU peers.
“Jayven truly represents TMCF, as well as Prairie View, in a positive way,” said Carolyn Davis, director of the Center for Careers and Professional Development at PVAMU. “He is well known as an innovative thinker and caring leader who is always seeking to better himself as well as others. Jayven has amplified both TMCF on campus and Prairie View throughout his service as a Yard Ambassador.”
Jayven met a couple of PVAMU alumni, Clarencia and Mike Taylor.
Known to quote his biggest influencer from time to time, Jayven added, “Like my grandpa told me, ‘Don’t ever forget where your blessings come from.’ I would never have learned of this opportunity if not for Prairie View, and now it comes full circle as I work to represent my university to other HBCUs around the country.”
By Sara Kaplaniak
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