Shaderi Taylor Memorial Scholarship Fund

Help Us Honor a Beautiful Life: The Shaderi (Hopson) Taylor Memorial Scholarship Fund

We are heartbroken, but filled with love and purpose, as we honor the life and legacy of our beloved sister, daughter, wife, friend, and teacher, Shaderi Taylor, who passed away at the age of 34 after a courageous battle with colon cancer.

Shaderi was a shining light in every space she entered — from her classroom to her community. A proud member of Alpha Nu Omega Sorority, Inc., she was deeply rooted in faith, service, and sisterhood. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University at Buffalo and went on to receive her master’s degree in education from American University. Her calling was always clear: she was meant to teach, to lead, and to inspire.

And she did — with every fiber of her being.

Even as she faced the unimaginable — a devastating diagnosis at a young age — she continued to give. She poured her love and energy into her students, encouraging them to not only succeed academically, but to grow as compassionate, thoughtful human beings. Her classroom was a place of warmth, wisdom, and unwavering belief in the potential of every child. She taught not just curriculum, but character.

Through pain, she persisted. Through struggle, she smiled. Through loss, she gave hope.

To honor her legacy, we have created The Shaderi Taylor Memorial Scholarship — an annual award for a graduating senior at New Rochelle High School, Shaderi's alma mater, who plans to major in education and become a teacher. But this scholarship is about more than academic achievement — it will be awarded to a student who, like Shaderi, has faced and overcome significant hardship, yet continues to strive to make the world a better place.

Our goal is to raise $5,000 to fund this scholarship and keep her spirit alive in the classrooms and futures of young educators for years to come. Your donation, no matter the size, helps us continue Shaderi’s mission: to empower, to uplift, and to teach — with love.

Thank you for being a part of her story and helping her legacy live on in the hearts and dreams of tomorrow’s teachers.

With deep gratitude,

Robert Johnson (Her baby brother)

#ForDeri #TeachLikeDeri #ScholarshipForChange