The Shell Legacy Foundation

09/13/2026

🎉Congratulations, Octavius Rice! We’re excited to see a proud JCSU alumnus step into leadership as Interim Director of Housing and Residence Life. His commitment to mentorship, literacy, student success, and developing the next generation of leaders makes this a meaningful new chapter for JCSU.

Read more about this leadership transition and JCSU’s continued focus on student success:

September 9, 2026 Image CHARLOTTE, N.C./Sept 9 2026 - Johnson C. Smith University is pleased to announce a leadership transition within the Department of Housing and Residence Life, effective September 14, 2026. Mr. Octavius Rice will begin his tenure as Interim Director of Housing and Residence Lif...

09/01/2026

🎓 Thank You, Scholarship Applicants! 🎓

A heartfelt thank you to all of the college students who applied for the 2026–2027 Shell Legacy Foundation “Helping Hands” Scholarship!

The application period officially closed last night, and we are grateful for every student who shared their story, goals, and aspirations with us.

Our Selection Committee will begin reviewing applications soon, and we look forward to announcing our scholarship recipients later this month! Applicants will be notified by 9/30/26.

08/26/2026

🎉🏈 Happy 74th Birthday to our Founder, Donnie Shell! 🏈🎉

Today, we celebrate an NFL Hall of Famer, HBCU graduate, four-time Super Bowl Champion, mentor, and servant leader whose legacy extends far beyond the football field.

Mr. Shell has dedicated his life to giving back, opening doors, and creating opportunities for the next generation. In honor of his 74th birthday, help us continue that legacy by supporting the Shell Legacy Foundation.

🎉 Make a birthday gift in his honor:
$7.40 • $17.40 • $74.40 • $174.40 — or whatever amount is meaningful to you!

Your gift helps us provide opportunities and support for HBCU students, youth sports, and K–8 literacy initiatives.

🎁 Celebrate his legacy. Give in his honor.
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/shelllegacyfoundation/

08/22/2026

🎓️ If you’re a rising HBCU sophomore, junior, or senior with a 2.8+ GPA, this opportunity is for you! 🎓️

It's Scholarship Saturday and we are proud to announce that we will be awarding 15 scholarships of $500 to eligible HBCU students who are working toward their degrees and could use a helping hand to stay on track and finish college strong.

The Shell Legacy Foundation Scholarship honors Founder and NFL Hall of Famer Donnie Shell and his commitment to creating opportunities for HBCU college students.

🗓️ Application Deadline: August 31, 2026
⚠️ Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Your dreams matter. Your future matters. Let us extend a helping hand.

👉 Apply today: https://lnkd.in/e9_EuJ2U

08/17/2026

🎓 THE 2026 HELPING HANDS SCHOLARSHIP IS NOW OPEN! 🎓

The Shell Legacy Foundation is proud to launch the 2026 “Helping Hands” Scholarship, honoring Founder and NFL Hall of Famer Donnie Shell and his commitment to creating opportunities for HBCU college students.

We’re awarding 15 scholarships of $500 to eligible HBCU students who are working toward their degrees and could use a helping hand to stay on track and finish college strong.

If you’re a rising HBCU sophomore, junior, or senior with a 2.8+ GPA, this opportunity is for you!

🗓️ Application Deadline: August 31, 2026
⚠️ Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Your dreams matter. Your future matters. Let us extend a helping hand.

👉 Apply today: https://forms.gle/1WMoABoatPJASpGCA

08/12/2026

🏈 FROM AN UNDRAFTED HBCU ATHLETE TO NFL HALL OF FAMER.

Today, we’re celebrating our Founder, Donnie Shell—a South Carolina State University graduate who signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1974 as an undrafted rookie free agent and went on to become a 4-time Super Bowl Champion, 5-time Pro Bowler, and Pro Football Hall of Famer.

As ESPN recently highlighted, Shell went from “anonymity to stardom,” showing what can happen when someone is given an opportunity to be seen and supported.
*(Link to the article is in the comments)

That same belief is at the heart of the Shell Legacy Foundation. Mr. Shell created this Foundation to give back and help deserving students overcome the financial barriers that can stand between them and their dreams.

Now, we invite you to come alongside Mr. Shell and his family. Together, we can support HBCU students with scholarships and basic needs so they can stay in school and cross the finish line. Join us and invest in the next generation!

🎓️ Pay it forward today and consider making a donation to The Shell Legacy Foundation:
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/shelllegacyfoundation/

07/20/2026

🌟 Become a Champion for the Next Generation! 🌟

Our team is excited to launch The Shell Legacy Foundation Ambassador Program! We are looking for passionate servant leaders who believe every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive to join our SLF team.

If you've ever wanted to make a difference and volunteer, this is your chance.

As a Foundation Ambassador, you will help open doors for HBCU students, strengthen K–8 literacy, and support youth sports—all by sharing our mission and inspiring others to invest in the next generation.

🎓️ Just 2–4 hours a month can create a lifetime of impact.

Ready to leave a legacy and join our team? Complete our Ambassador Interest Form today!

🔗 https://forms.gle/oLuiGGF9HcvTWAWx8

07/17/2026

When communities come together, dreams become reality.

The Shell Legacy Foundation is excited to partner with Village of We to support a deserving student at Winston-Salem State University with a $1,500 scholarship award to help bridge the gap and keep their educational journey moving forward.

Too many HBCU students face unexpected tuition gaps that can force them to pause their education or leave college altogether—sometimes just semesters away from graduation.

Through partnerships like this, we are helping remove financial barriers so students can stay enrolled, avoid unnecessary debt, and continue working toward their degrees.

We are grateful for the opportunity to invest in this student’s future and proud to stand alongside partners who believe in creating access and opportunity.

Join us today to help more students cross the finish line and turn their dreams into reality.
Give Today Here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/shelllegacyfoundation/

07/10/2026

07/10/2026

We are so thankful for the legacy and wisdom of our founder, Donnie Shell!

Take a listen at these powerful words!