South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs

SC State Housing Finance and Development Authority (SC Housing) creates affordable housing opportunities through several programs, including assistance with homeownership and rentals and home repairs. On the next episode of CMAmeets, listen in as Deputy Director of Programs Marni Holloway discusses her day-to-day responsibilities, SC Housing’s activities during COVID-19, and the impact their resources have had on minority communities around South Carolina. CMAmeets x SC Housing airs Monday, July 29, 2024, at 11:30 a.m.  CMAmeets is a CMA studio series that highlights the important work that diverse nonprofit leaders, state agency heads, and other critical partners are doing to improve the lives of ethnic minority communities around the state. CMAmeets is accessible on the South Commission for Minority Affairs’ YouTube channel.  

"South Carolina, with a population of 5.3 million people, has an estimated 450,000 lacking internet access. For our state to be successful, this divide must be – and is being – treated as a major public policy issue. Lack of internet access is not simply about the ability to stream entertainment and shop online. Lack of access can preclude individuals from accessing career and educational opportunities and mental and physical health resources, and it makes community development and revitalization efforts Herculean. As such, ensuring access to reliable, high-speed internet is one of the most defining public policy measures of our time and one for which the State of South Carolina is working hard to obtain for all its citizens." 📄 Read our latest Policy Forum by Brenton Brown, chief of staff at South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs. The Policy Forum is a monthly guest column that takes an in-depth look at policy areas that impact children and families. Go to bit.ly/4c11MsT! #ChampionsForChildren

CMAmeets x Able SC | Able SC is a disability-led organization that equips, educates, and advocates for equity and inclusion for all people with disabilities. We welcome CEO and President Kimberly Tissot to talk about the work her organization is doing to remove barriers for individuals with disabilities in South Carolina, and how the work of increased access to resources, jobs, and education is impacting people with disabilities in ethnic minority communities.  Watch now ➡ https://lnkd.in/ehvV9cHd

Please join us in congratulating Zhengyang ‘Francis’ Lin, former Research and Statistical Analyst with CMA’s Research and Planning Division, on being accepted into the prestigious Georgetown University Law School in Washington, DC. During Francis’ time with the agency, he published two Research Briefs, assisted with numerous data requests, contributed extensively to the forthcoming Asian American and Pacific Islander Statistical Profile, assisted the Research team in updating code for internal programs, and dutifully lent a helping hand to anyone who asked. “Francis is one of the smartest and well-rounded young men I have had the opportunity to work with. He is very knowledgeable when it comes to research techniques, data science, programming, and social theory, and capably combined those aspects of his skillset into his efforts here at CMA,” Robert Fenton, Director of the agency’s Research and Planning Division, gushed. “Not only was he effective at doing his job, but he is well-spoken, confident, and consistently available to in providing others with assistance when requested. Considering his output and impact, he is leaving some enormous shoes to fill. However, I am confident that he will go on to achieve great things with this next step in his career!” We wish Francis all the best in his future endeavors.

The South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs office will be closed on Thursday, July 4th, 2024. The office will reopen for normal business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) on Friday, July 5, 2024.

The South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs office will be closed on Thursday, July 4th, 2024. The office will reopen for normal business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) on Friday, July 5, 2024.

Congratulations to the winners of Riverbanks Zoo & Garden’s 50th Anniversary Golden Ticket program! Two lucky SC Minority Business Summit attendees received either a private rhino tour or access to feed the lorikeets at Riverbanks Zoo. Thank you to our participants and to Riverbanks Zoo and Garden for providing this awesome opportunity to experience the zoo through these unique experiences.

South Carolina’s Department of Social Services (DSS) helps promote the safety and well-being of children, adults, and families desiring a stable future. On the next episode of CMAmeets, DSS Director Michael Leach discusses the work his organization has done in ensuring the safety of children by prioritizing the needs of families and ensuring the work of DSS is addressing the needs of children, including those from impacted minority families. Watch now on YouTube ➡ https://lnkd.in/ehewjqd6

South Carolina’s Department of Social Services (DSS) helps promote the safety and well-being of children, adults, and families desiring a stable future. On the next episode of CMAmeets, DSS Director Michael Leach discusses the work his organization has done in ensuring the safety of children by prioritizing the needs of families and ensuring the work of DSS is addressing the needs of children, including those from impacted minority families. Tune in on Monday, June 24, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. to watch the episode.

Today, June 19th, or #Juneteenth, is also known as Emancipation Day or Jubilee Day. The day commemorates the end of chattel slavery in the United States. Originating in Galveston, Texas, Juneteenth marks the day in 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger and Union troops notified enslaved African Americans of their freedom. One of the most common myths about Juneteenth is that the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect right away. In reality, it would take two years for the news to spread throughout the war-torn countries. The 1863 Emancipation Proclamation freed a very small number of enslaved people in southern areas seized by the Union Army, such as Beaufort, SC. Today is both a day of celebration and reflection. We show gratitude for the countless contributions and sacrifices that African Americans have made throughout our nation's history. #bridgingthegap #HappyJuneteenth