Welcome to Shernation
Shernā Ann Phillips, Ph.D.
(pronounced "shur-nay," not "shur-nuh")
Shernā Ann Phillips, PhD, affectionately known as “Dr. Nae,” is an artist-scholar and Assistant Professor of English at Clayton State University, where she teaches language and professional writing.
Her work explores race, gender, and activism, with a focus on the erasure of Black women. Blending academic research with creative expression, Dr. Nae uses storytelling as a tool for social change.
A Baltimore native based in Atlanta, she earned her doctorate from Morgan State University. She is longstanding board member at The Strand Theater Company, Baltimore's only brick-and-mortar company devoted solely to amplifying women's voices.
FELLOWSHIPS, HONORS AND AWARDS
Shernā Ann Phillips, PhD, affectionately known as “Dr. Nae,” is an artist-scholar and Assistant Professor of English at Clayton State University, where she teaches language and professional writing.
Her work explores race, gender, and activism, with a focus on the erasure of Black women. Blending academic research with creative expression, Dr. Nae uses storytelling as a tool for social change.
A Baltimore native based in Atlanta, she earned her doctorate from Morgan State University. She is longstanding board member at The Strand Theater Company, Baltimore's only brick-and-mortar company devoted solely to amplifying women's voices.
FELLOWSHIPS, HONORS AND AWARDS
- Arts & Social Justice Fellowship, Emory University (2025)
- Commercial Theatre Producing 101 fellow, Theatre Producers of Color (2022)
- Hattiloo Playwrights Corner (virtual), Hattiloo Theatre in Memphis (2020)
- Benjamin A. Quarles graduate fellow, Morgan State University (2019-2020)
- Stripped Bare Incubator Project recipient, Synchronicity Theatre in Atlanta (2019)
- Second round finalist, Caged Bird, Sundance Episodic Story Lab (2018)
- Top 15%, Induction, Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting (2017)
- Second round finalist, The Talented Tenth, Sundance Episodic Story Lab (2017)
- Second round finalist, Induction, Sundance Screenwriters Lab (2016)
- Adele V. Holden New Voices Award, Induction, Morgan State University (2016)
- Selected, Sonnet to Sister, Urban Mediamakers Film Festival in Atlanta (2014)
- Audience Choice Winner, Late Breaking, Baltimore 48 Hour Film Festival (2013)
- Best Audience Award, Double X, Downtown Urban Theater Festival (2011)
