Shelton State Students Receive Scholarships Through TMCF
January 15, 2026 — Two Shelton State Community College (SSCC) students were awarded a total of $20,000 each in scholarship funding through the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), recognizing their academic promise, perseverance, and commitment to professional growth.
The students were initially awarded $10,000 each through the Cal and Annette Johnson Scholarship. In November, they were selected to attend the TMCF Workforce Development Summit in Birmingham, Alabama, where they were awarded an additional $10,000 each, bringing their total scholarship support to $20,000 per student.
One of the scholarship recipients, Shakerria Nevels, is a criminal law major completing her general studies coursework with plans to transfer to a four-year institution. A freshman in her second semester at Shelton State, Nevels is a Tuscaloosa native and mother whose educational journey is rooted in her life experiences.
“This scholarship means everything to me because it represents hope during one of the hardest chapters of my life,” Nevels said. “I come from a place where justice does not always feel equal and where survival often comes before dreams. With very little family support and the responsibility of being a mother, there were times I felt lost and unsure if continuing school was even possible. This scholarship reminded me that my story matters and that my efforts are not invisible.”
Nevels plans to become a criminal lawyer, a goal shaped by her experiences and her desire to advocate for others. “My education is my path out of struggle and my way toward justice,” she said. “This support lifted a burden I carried silently and gave me the freedom to focus fully on my education and my children. It restored my faith in myself and reminded me that someone believes in my future.”
The second recipient, Amelia Epperson, is a freshman majoring in AAS Business Office Management/Technology with a focus on Paralegal studies. She is from Hale County, Alabama, and credits the scholarship with easing financial stress and creating new opportunities for her academic and professional growth.
“This scholarship means so much to me and my college career because it allows me to continue my education without the constant stress of finances,” Epperson said. “It also allows my family to focus on supporting my brother’s education, which means a great deal to me.”
Epperson also highlighted the impact of attending the Workforce Development Summit. “Receiving this scholarship was a huge honor, and attending the TMCF Workforce Development program was an amazing and impactful experience where I learned so much. This opportunity opened doors for me that I once thought would remain closed, and I am truly grateful for the support it has provided.”
Shelton State Community College became a TMCF member school in 2023, joining Alabama’s five other historically Black community colleges. Through this partnership, Shelton State Community College continues to expand access to transformative opportunities that support student success, workforce readiness, and educational equity.
For more information about Shelton State, visit sheltonstate.edu.
