Embracing Courage and Resilience: A Message to the Class of 2024

I recently had the honor of speaking to the Class of 2024 at Howard University’s Commencement, one of the most beloved and well-known HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). Howard holds a very special place in American history, and when I think about this institution’s excellence – The Mecca, as it’s affectionately called – and what it has made possible for nearly 160 years, I find it’s worth reflecting on the power of courage, a trait that was integral to this institution’s foundation and has become a part of its culture and very fabric. 

For me, Howard's legacy of courage hits close to home. While my journey didn’t lead me to Howard’s gates, its spirit of resilience resonates deeply with my own story. Born into humble beginnings, I learned the value of perseverance from my parents, who instilled in me the courage to overcome adversity and chase my dreams against all odds. When I think about the fact that I am: 

• The first woman CEO of TIAA,
• One of only four Black female, Fortune 500 CEOs ever – a sisterhood that includes Ursula Burns, Roz Brewer, and Toni Townes-Whitley; and
• One of only two Black women leading Fortune 500 companies today,

I see a powerful sisterhood collective that powered my resolve to get to where I am today and to keep carving my path forward.

Your journey, too, has been marked by moments of uncertainty and firsts. From canceled proms and virtual graduations to navigating your entire freshman year of college online, think about the courage it took to keep pushing forward through the shifts and transformations that came with the global pandemic. The resilience it took to be where you are today is nothing short of inspiring. It’s that same resilience that will lead you to where you want to be tomorrow. There will continue to be moments where life will seem tough and the challenges insurmountable. But choose not to give up, and to never count yourself out. 

As you embark on this new chapter of your lives, remember that courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to confront it head-on. 

Whether it's navigating the complexities of the workforce or charting your own path in uncharted territory, have the courage to trust in your abilities and pursue your passions relentlessly. Resilience is overcoming adversity and doing things differently in order to see a better outcome. I didn’t come from generational wealth. I was born in Rochester, N.Y.; my father was a warehouse worker, and my mother was an educator. When I was very young, my parents, two brothers and I moved to Texas with everything we owned in our car -- which means there was not much. One thing my father always said to me was, “Reach for the moon because even if you miss, you’ll be among the stars.” I took all of my life experiences, the lessons my parents taught me, and used that to fuel a courageous new chapter in my family’s legacy that includes financial independence. This is the same spirit that helped me know that my purpose in life is to inspire and make impact.

As you venture into your next chapter, I encourage you to embrace that same courage to do things differently. Start building your legacy and secure your financial future now, as it’s never too early to start saving. A dollar saved today is worth more than a dollar saved tomorrow. Saving and investing in yourself and in your retirement as soon as you enter the workforce is the best way to prepare for all the hopes and dreams that you want to accomplish.