Meet the 2026 Shainberg Scholars
Every year, Memphis pours into the children of our community before they ever walk across a graduation stage. Good schools. Good teachers. Good mentors. Thirteen years of investment before a diploma ever shows up.
And then, right at the finish line: college, trade school, a certificate program- a lot of those kids hit a wall. Not a talent wall. Not a work-ethic wall. But rather a financial one.
That's why it's important for Memphians to step up and help where they can by providing things like internships and scholarships for young people. And that's exactly what the Shainberg Scholarship does.
This scholarship is named for Herbert Shainberg, a Memphis businessman known for his philanthropy and his belief in the power of kindness. His grandchildren picked up that legacy and turned it into real dollars for Choose901 Alumni students with significant financial gaps, whether they're headed to a four-year college or an alternative path like trade school.
This year, that meant seven students got to keep going and I want you to meet each of them.
Morgan Askew — Rhodes College, Political Science & PPE
Morgan came up through Compass Community Schools in Midtown and is now studying Political Science and PPE at Rhodes, with law school and a career as a criminal defense lawyer in her sights. The scholarship means she gets to focus on the LSAT instead of how she's going to pay for it.
Arin Johnson — Belmont University, Legal Studies
Arin is a Soulsville Charter School alum enrolled in Belmont's accelerated 3+3 law program. Winning this scholarship means he gets to attend university debt-free.
Stephanie Hayes — Tennessee State University, Nursing
Another Soulsville alum, Stephanie is heading into her senior year of nursing school. She's a first-generation college student working toward becoming a psychiatric nurse, a path shaped by losing her father and by a conviction that mental health care needs to reach more people.
Marion Brewer III — University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Supply Chain Management
Marion, a New Hope Christian Academy alum, is studying supply chain management in Knoxville. He's already thinking about the return trip. He wants to come back to Memphis to mentor youth and invest in the kind of community-building that gives a city real pride.
Jordan Henderson — Luke Weathers Flight Academy, Aviation
Jordan, a Crosstown High alum, graduated from Rhodes College with a Computer Science degree and a childhood dream that never let go- flying. He's now training at Luke Weathers Flight Academy to become an airline pilot, and the scholarship is helping cover the real cost of flight training.
Morgan Burns — Middle Tennessee State University, Business
A New Hope Christian Academy alum, Morgan graduates this spring with a business degree and a fashion business already taking shape. She's started a sewing social club back home in Memphis before she's even finished school.
Zalena Torya Walker — Tennessee State University, Architecture Engineering
Zalena, a Crosstown High School alum, grew up watching beautiful buildings sit vacant across Memphis. She's now in her junior year of Architecture Engineering, with a minor in Mining Engineering, studying to become a developer who builds sustainable, affordable housing.
Seven Down. How Many More?
Seven scholars received funding this year. We know there are more Alumni out there hitting that same wall and are just one financial gap away from finishing what Memphis started with them.
Want to know how you can fill that gap? It is so easy to start your own scholarship? Or maybe you have one but would like help managing it to make sure it's as effective as possible. Just hit reply.
To the Shainberg family: thank you. On behalf of Morgan, Arin, Stephanie, Marion, Jordan, Morgan, and Zalena, and every Alumni student who's coming up behind them- thank you.
P.S. Speaking of Memphis showing up for Memphis: come see us at the Cooper-Young Festival on 9/19. We'll be running the Choose901 Market at Stomping Grounds, 9AM–7PM.
