Shonté M. Harrell is representative of the young professionals the NAACP is focusing on attracting to the organization. She graduated from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics, and spent a semester at Stanford University as a domestic exchange student. Harrell currently works as an administrative assistant at Brooklyn College, where she is also pursuing post-baccalaureate studies. She is planning a career in education as a teacher at the secondary and post-secondary levels. In the future, she also plans to start a non-profit organization with focus on the visual and performing arts.

A native of Brooklyn, New York City, Harrell became acting secretary during restructuring of the branch between 2004-2005. She was later appointed secretary for the current term, which ends in December 2006. Harrell is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society. Her hobbies are reading, dancing, music, and fashion.