Sherri Shepherd Honors Mercer’s Nonprofit Powering HBCU Dreams
|
Posted By: Hija Chang on August 06, 2026 TeeJ Mercer’s Move-In Day Mafia Transforms Foster Youth Lives TeeJ Mercer, the creative force behind the nonprofit Move-In Day Mafia, was recently celebrated on The Sherri Shepherd Show for her exceptional work supporting foster youth at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). (Content developer https://saobserver.com/sherri-shepherd-hon... ) Mercer, an alumna of Howard University and a 25-year veteran of Hollywood, launched Move-In Day Mafia in 2022. The organization outfits dorm rooms and delivers monthly care packages to students who have aged out of foster care or struggle with housing and finances. Since then, it has served 84 students across 21 HBCUs and achieved a remarkable 92% retention rate in 2024—a stark contrast to the 0% retention during its pilot phase. The nonprofit’s personalized approach stands out: each room is designed by professionals, and students pick their own snacks, toiletries, and supplies. Mercer explained the emotional impact: “The tears don’t fall when they see the beautiful rooms. They fall when they realize we paid attention to what makes them feel seen and loved.” Her appearance on daytime TV not only generated laughs—thanks to a playful slip-up—but also spurred a wave of donations and volunteers. Sherri Shepherd, who has supported the cause for years, previously helped raise $55,000 through Celebrity Jeopardy and Celebrity Family Feud. Today, Move-In Day Mafia motto is “Where dreams get the green light one dorm room at a time.” Its impact is tangible: scholars are thriving in internships at major companies, studying abroad, joining Greek life, and stepping into student leadership roles. The organization’s next major event is Thee HBCU Bingo Experience, a vibrant fundraiser hosted by Sherri Shepherd in Atlanta on July 12. https://www.moveindaymafia.org/ If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Hija Chang
Management, See Moss Interactive Central State University class of 2021 Member Since January 2011 |
Comments
More From This Author
Latest Famous HBCU Alumni
 |
Crispus Attucks: American Revolutionary Hero?Crispus Attucks is a name that twenty-first century American schoolchildren usually learn in their introduction to the American Revolution and its heroes. Attucks—a man of African and Native American ...more
Hija Chang • 240 Views • July 25th, 2026 |
 |
On International Chess Day, Celebrating Maurice Ashley – The First African American Chess GrandmasterContent Artist: Shourjyani Chatterjee
Maurice Ashley became the first Black chess Grandmaster in 1999.
He coached young players from Harlem and became a globally recognised chess commentator.
...more
Hija Chang • 196 Views • July 24th, 2026 |
 |
How Dr. Samuel Lee Kountz, Jr. revolutionized kidney transplantsBorn in Lexa, Arkansas in 1930, Dr. Kountz had to work hard and overcome several obstacles to reach his goal of becoming a doctor. Despite failing the entrance exam at his first attempt applying for c ...more
Hija Chang • 223 Views • July 20th, 2026 |
 |
Join NOH8 Campaign on Instagramnoh8campaign
"When we say 'no' to hate, we can say 'yes' to love and equality." - @TarajiPHenson #NOH8
Join NOH8 Campaign on Instagram
www.instagram.com/noh8campaign ...more
Hija Chang • 265 Views • July 3rd, 2026 |
 |
Any pirates on Hampton's campus looking like Long John SilveRGet signed up to travel with all our *****reasons for thee seasons*****
Melanin at Sea *****Melanin at Sea Group Cruise 5.0*****
www.blackcruiseweek.com/melaninatsea.html
One Voyage 2026 *****Par ...more
Hija Chang • 362 Views • July 1st, 2026 |
Popular Famous HBCU Alumni
 |
Della Miles takes Michelle Obama to the stage in "Obama the Musical"When Della Miles was a student at Prairie View A&M University in Texas, everyone new she would be a brighter star one day having been selected Miss PVAMU and 4th Runner-up to Miss Texas/America 1984. ...more
Frederick Roberts • 90,974 Views • April 11th, 2010 |
 |
Oprah WinfreyOprah Winfrey, the multi media mogul, has garnered international appeal for her talk show. As the first Black woman billionaire in world history, Winfrey has overtaken EBay CEO, Meg Whitman, as the ri ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 39,340 Views • September 30th, 2005 |
 |
Kerry D. ChandlerKerry D. Chandler, a San Diego, CA native, is the Executive Vice President of Human Resources at the National Basketball Association responsible for leading the league's global human resources strateg ...more
Ryan Rogers • 34,621 Views • May 3rd, 2011 |
 |
Rick Ross - Yep Another HBCU AlumnusWilliam Leonard Roberts II (born January 28, 1976), better known by his stage name Rick Ross, is an American rapper. Ross founded the record label Maybach Music Group. He was born in Coahoma County, M ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 33,284 Views • September 1st, 2010 |
