A creative soul was born – a creative soul lived and made an impact – a creative soul has transitioned and left us with a great legacy of inspiration and unconditional love. Our beloved Shonka Dukureh passed away suddenly on July 21, 2022. Shonka was known in the Nashville area and throughout the country as a gifted artistic powerhouse that could command the attention and respect of those that were in the room. This incredible vocal talent and gifting was recently shared with the world in the new movie, Elvis in the role of Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton. Her voice will forever be heard on the original motion picture soundtrack with Grammy Award-winning rapper Doja Cat on the single “Vegas,” and the official music video. Shonka is most notably featured on the soundtrack with her rendition of Big Mama Thornton’s “Hound Dog” song, which later made Elvis iconic.

Although she was known for touching lives with her captivating singing and acting skills, Shonka’s two greatest passions were teaching math, science, and reading comprehension to youth in underserved communities and, most of all, being a devoted mother to her two young children. As Shonka set out on her recent turn of opportunity, she focused intently on shaping her life to better care for and provide for her son and daughter. Unfortunately, her life ended before that work could be completed.

Shonka leaves behind two beautiful children to cherish her memory while challenged to continue to live out their purpose in life without the physical presence, nurturing, and financial support of their mother. The family, in concert with an appointed executive board of directors, has established the Shonka Dukureh Memorial Foundation, which has a mission to financially support her children’s immediate and long-term educational and personal needs and to support the furthering of Shonka’s educational enrichment work within underserved communities in the Metro Nashville area and throughout the country.