Through The Shipman Scholars Initiative, Dr. Kerry L. Shipman is committed to creating educational opportunities for students who demonstrate perseverance, resilience, leadership, and the determination to build a better future. Dr. Shipman’s own educational journey was not a traditional one. After earning his GED, he continued pushing forward through higher education, ultimately earning multiple advanced degrees, including a doctorate, and later serving as a Magistrate Judge in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. His journey taught him that where someone starts does not have to determine where they finish. The Shipman Scholars Initiative was created from that belief. Through scholarships, grants, and educational awards, the Initiative seeks to reduce financial barriers, recognize students who have overcome obstacles, and invest in individuals who are determined to transform their lives and their communities through education. Our mission is to invest in potential, reward perseverance, and create opportunity for the next generation of leaders.