THE STEPHENS/T.A. UPSHAW SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION

The Stephens/T.A. Upshaw Scholarship Foundation was established in 2021as a means to help provide for the needs of students within our society who are economically and academically underserved. Our nonprofit was started to assist in maximizing the learning opportunities for students who are facing obstacles that might hinder their future success.

The Stephens/Upshaw family was faced with an unexpected situation in 2020 that became very challenging. The victimization of a family member initially caused much anger and distress. The anger was later converted to empathy towards the perpetrators because it is believed that human behavior could be influenced by poverty and various environmental factors.

To encourage the transfiguration of social situations and to stimulate accountability for behavior, the foundation seeks to empower students to persevere when faced with oppositions. Resources presented by the Stephens/T.A. Upshaw Scholarship Foundation are provided to motivate and to encourage students to become academically and socially successful.

The Stephens/T.A. Upshaw Scholarship Foundation awards scholarships to supplement and support the financial needs of graduating high-school seniors and community college students in their quest for continuing education at a four-year college or university. 

The scholarship foundation will provide access to funding for economically disadvantaged students to help cover the college-related expenses of those expressing an interest in the field of education. Each scholarship awarded will be a minimum of $500, presented to students who meet the stated criteria and who maintain at least a 3.0 grade-point average.

Kay L. Stephens, Ed.D., President, was born and reared in South-Central Los Angeles. She attended 109th Street Elementary School, Gompers Jr. High School, David Starr Jordan, and Locke High Schools in Los Angeles, California.

She later attended Cal State L.A. University and Long Beach City College, where she received a scholarship to the University of Southern California. After raising five children in Paramount, California, Dr. Stephens earned her Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, and Doctorate Degree in Education from U.S.C. She taught multiple subjects as an elementary school teacher for 26 years in the Long Beach and Bellflower Unified School Districts. She retired from teaching in July of 2019. 

Dr. Stephens became founder of the Stephens/T.A. Upshaw Scholarship Foundation in order to continue her impact on and motivation of young people to help prepare them for a promising future. 

Sjondrala Hill, treasurer, was born and raised in Long Beach, California, and is an alumnus of Woodrow Wilson High School,  She went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences from the University of California at Irvine, and later continued her education by earning her Teaching Credential from CSU Long Beach, and a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of La Verne. Currently in her 29th year of teaching in the Bellflower Unified School District, Sjondrala is the Math Intervention Specialist, in addition to being an Instructional Leader to her peers and Mentor to her students and their families.

Sjondrala was excited to join STAUSF in 2023 as treasurer. Having attained experience in this position from being a Board and Finance member at church, as well as a PTA Treasurer, she hopes to add to the creativity, integrity and success of this organization. As the mother of five children, she has dealt with the stress and frustration of acquiring funds for college first hand. Sjondrala aspires to encourage the leaders of tomorrow by helping them begin their journey today.

Maria G Camarillo was born and raised in South Texas. She graduated from Raymondville High School. She embodies the values of hard work and dedication instilled by her parents. Her career journey, spanning from food services to caregiving, reflects her commitment to hands-on experience and leadership. She has actively contributed to her community by helping local entrepreneurs start businesses and volunteering for city clean-ups. Later, she moved to California and continued her career in managerial roles.

She believes in programs like the Stephens/ T.A.  Upshaw Scholarship Foundation will ensure that students have the resources they need to expand their education. She is excited to be a part of an opportunity that could help empower students to continue their personal and professional growth.

Shirley Grayson, Board Member was born and raised in Louisiana. After attending St. Matthew High School, she attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a major in Business Administration. Shirley relocated to California in 1965, and attended UCLA. She began working in an entry-level position at the Knudsen Corporation. She later moved up to become the Director of Sales and Marketing Accounting, which included 147 employees in multiple departments at various satellite locations. 

The corporation was sold to Kraft General Foods, where Shirley became regional Finance Manager covering the western region of the United States. Shirley was head of Business Analysis, Operations, Forecasting, and Sales Reporting. She worked for Kraft General Foods for more than 22 years, where she earned leadership awards on multiple occasions. She spent 8 years with West Pico Foods, Inc., as Vice-President and Controller. She also worked for 7 years at Cedarlane Natural Foods, Inc., as Controller. Shirley is delighted to be an integral part of the Stephens/T.A. Upshaw Scholarship Foundation that will be a great hand up to students who are underserved.

Pamela C. Williams, Board Member, attended schools in Paramount, California, and she graduated from Paramount High School. She later attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising  (FIDM) in Los Angeles, California where she earned a degree in Marketing. She worked in the Financial Industry for 15 years, and made numerous financial contributions to various nonprofit organizations.

Pamela has now decided to take on a greater role in a specific nonprofit by joining the Stephens/T.A. Upshaw Scholarship Foundation as an active Board Member in order to help disadvantaged youth. As a Board Member, Pamela feels that she will have the opportunity to directly affect and impact the success of today’s youth.  

The Stephens/T.A. Upshaw Scholarship Foundation is an independent, 501(c) (3) nonprofit whose basic function is to provide scholarships to graduating high-school seniors and community college students. The awards are given to students who demonstrate an interest in higher learning at a four-year college or university, in the field of education. Each scholarship is awarded based on the student’s academic achievement and financial need, as described in the student’s 1-page essay. Students are to maintain a grade-point average of 3.0 or above throughout high school or community college. When scholarships are dispersed to individual students, the expectation is that the student will continue to attend college classes.

Students should submit a scholarship application provided by the Stephens/T.A. Upshaw Scholarship Foundation along with the 1-page essay. High-school seniors should submit a copy of their High School Transcripts as well. A college acceptance letter from an approved university or four-year college and a letter of recommendation from the present school of attendance are also required of the student applicant. Our Board members are very passionate about education, and the foundation awards scholarships to eligible students whose primary residence is within the county of Los Angeles.