Jefferson Davis High School graduate joins the HBCU Scholars Initiative

Stillman senior psychology major Da'Jon Stoudemire is congratulated by Dr. David Ngong, chair of Stillman’s Department of Religion and Theology, following Stoudemire’s first-place finish in the Three-Minute Thesis competition during Stillman’s annual research symposium in March.

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with the correct spelling of Da’Jon Stoudemire

Da’Jon Stoudemire, a Jefferson Davis High School graduate has been named to the White House HBCU Scholars Initiative.

Stoudemire, now Stillman College psychology major, is one of 86 HBCU students across the country named for this initiative, according to the press release.

Stoudemire is looking forward to the networking and professional development aspects of the program, according to the release.

He hopes to work as a clinical psychologist and has previously interned with The Arc of Tuscaloosa County, which “supported employment, prevocational, day habilitation and hourly services to individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities” according to their website, and is currently interning with the “Blazer Brain” Undergraduate Summer Program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine.

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“I suffered with anxiety and depression a bit when I was younger, and I felt I didn’t have anyone to turn to,” Stoudemire said in a statement. “I researched it and learned there were professionals who could help with that, but I also realized there’s a lack of information about mental health education and services, especially to the Black community.

The HBCU scholars will serve as ambassadors to the White House Initiative on HBCUs and work on issues specifically related to HBCUs over the course of the academic school year. As ambassadors, they will receive training and networking opportunities, as well as be involved in national and regional events with professionals from varying disciplines.

One other Stillman College student, Stevon McCullough from Chicago, was selected for the cohort.

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