Andra Day at Thurgood Marshall Gala

Warner Bros. Records artist Andra Day will kick-off the Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s (TMCF) 27th Annual Awards Gala Monday, November 16, 2015 at the Washington Hilton. Recently named one of DC’s 2015 Top100 Events, TMCF’s Gala will sell-out the Washington Hilton’s ballroom and bring together more than 1,500 of the nation’s business leaders, philanthropists, Members of Congress, DC socialites, and more than 400 star students from the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominately Black Colleges (PBIs). The black-tie event, which raised $4.1 million last year, aims to raise over $5 million this year.The 30-year-old Day is obsessed with jazz, soul and rock, which includes various elements into her classically trained vocals to create a modern vintage sound. A native of San Diego, attended a performing arts high school while working with various producers to develop her “unique” musical style. When a tape of a live performance found its way to Stevie Wonder, he was blown away and introduced her to songwriter-producer Adrian Gurvitz (The Bodyguard). Day and Gurvitz spent a year together working on her debut album with what calls a “retro-pop-soul” sound with an alluring, powerful alto that has inspired comparisons to Amy Winehouse and Adele.”I am elated Andra Day will be with us to celebrate and salute the nation’s black colleges and their students,” said TMCFlives of students attending HBCUs. Proceeds from the event enable TMCF to continue its programmatic and capacity building work for the nation’s HBCUs and the 300,000 students who attend these great schools.”Performing at the TMCF