Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales (District 1) will receive an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters at the 2024 Stillman College Commencement Ceremony at 9 a.m. May 11, 2024, at Stillman’s Tiger Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.

"I am very humbled to be one of three recipients to receive such a distinguished honor from my alma mater, Stillman College," said Commissioner Lashunda Scales.

"To President Yolanda Page, Board Members, Trustees, faculty and staff, I am overwhelmed with joy as I join others in furthering Stillman College's mission statement: 'A commitment to fostering academic excellence, to providing opportunities for diverse populations, and to maintaining a strong tradition of preparing students for leadership and service by fostering experiential learning and community engagement designed to equip and empower Stillman’s students and its constituents'. The generation following us will be greater because of our perseverance and hard work today," stated Commissioner Scales.

The Honorable Lashunda Scales was elected in 2018 to serve as the Jefferson County Commissioner for District 1 in Jefferson County, Alabama. Making her tenure the first ever to be occupied by a woman in that district. In 2022, Commissioner Scales was overwhelming re-elected for a second term by her constituents. She is a former City Council Member for the City of Birmingham (2009-2018) and an active resident in the metro area for 28 years. Scales is best known for her public policy advocacy for under-served residents of Jefferson County, building regional alliances to support local governments, advancing equal opportunities for small businesses and women in government.

Lashunda Scales is an alumna of the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School of Government, 2016 Leadership Birmingham, 2022 Leadership Alabama, Jefferson State Community College and Stillman College (attended). She is a 24-year veteran public relations and marketing professional. She and her husband Michael have been married for 33 years. They have two beautiful daughters and are faithful members of Faith Chapel Christian Center Birmingham, AL.

Commissioner Lashunda Scales serves as Chair of the Public Works, Community Services, Inter-Governmental Relations and NACO/NOBCO Committees; HBCU Liaison; Member of all Jefferson County Commission committees.