Scholarship in Secoriea Turner’s name grows as trial set to begin; here's how to donate – 11Alive.com
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ATLANTA — Five years after 8-year-old Secoriea Turner was shot and killed during protests in Atlanta, her family is keeping her memory alive through a scholarship in her name.
On Thursday night, a fundraiser brought in at least $5,000 to support the Secoriea Turner Social Justice Scholarship, which was launched in July 2024 in partnership with Spelman College. The initiative was first announced at a press conference held at Saint Paul A.M.E. Church, where Secoriea’s parents said they wanted to turn their pain into purpose by investing in the education of future generations.
The scholarship, facilitated by the nonprofit Black Women’s Lab with support from Let Us Make Man and Black Man Lab, seeks to empower young African American students who share Secoriea’s passion for learning and social justice. The family hopes to raise $50,000 by Monday, when jury selection begins in the trial of one of the men charged in her death.
Secoriea Turner’s life was cut tragically short on July 4, 2020, when a bullet struck the car she was riding in with her mother near the site of protests over the police killing of Rayshard Brooks. The shooting, which shocked the city and drew national attention, happened near a Wendy’s where Brooks had been killed by a police officer just weeks earlier.
Now, as her family prepares for the start of a long-awaited trial, they are also focused on preserving her legacy.
“She was very outspoken. She loved reading. She was always dancing,” her mother, Charmaine Turner, recalled. “You wouldn’t have thought she was just eight years old.”
Secoriea had big dreams for the future — including attending Spelman College. Her mother said she was surprised by how specific her daughter was about her goals. “I was really shocked by it,” she said. “Maybe she heard this at school, but she was like, ‘No, Mom, I want to do this.’ She was very specific, detailed on what she wanted to be.”
Her father agreed, remembering her as larger than life. “I look at other 8-year-olds, and I’m like, Cory was bigger than that,” Secoriea Williamson said with a laugh.
During Thursday’s fundraiser, the Turner family joined supporters to continue building the scholarship’s impact. “It’s just a blessing — for our African American kids and their dreams and aspirations and goals,” her father said.
The family hopes the scholarship will not only honor Secoriea’s love of learning but also inspire the next generation to fight for justice.
Jury selection begins Monday in the trial of Julian Conley, one of two men charged in connection with Secoriea’s death. Her family says they plan to be present in court.
“I’m a bit overwhelmed — just the thought of having to go and relive the worst day, the most devastating day of my life,” her mother said.
Donations toward the scholarship can still be made, with the goal of raising $50,000 to fund it for years to come.
