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CMAmeets x SC Department of Social Services
Michael Leach | 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 the episode
SCCMA Advisory Committee and Board of Commissioners Meetings
The South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs will hold the following Advisory Committee and Board of Commissioners meetings:
- Hispanic Latino Affairs Advisory Committee, Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 10 a.m. (Virtual) (Agenda) (Watch)
- Board of Commissioners, Monday, July 15, 2024, at 10 a.m. (Virtual) (Agenda)
- Native American Affairs Advisory Committee, Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at 10 a.m. at the Sumter County Museum, 122 N. Washington St., Ste. A, Sumter, SC 29150 (In Person) (Agenda)
- CANCELED Small and Minority Business Advisory Committee CANCELED
- Replay
- African American Affairs Advisory Committee, Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 10 a.m. (Virtual) (Agenda) (Watch)
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Affairs Advisory Committee, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at 6 p.m. (Virtual) (Agenda) (Watch)
- Board of Commissioners, Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 10 a.m. (Virtual) (Agenda) (Watch)
The meetings will be streamed live via the Commission’s YouTube page (https://www.youtube.com/c/SCCommissionforMinorityAffairs).
Those who wish to participate in the public input portion of the meeting should email your comments to info@cma.sc.gov. Comments must be received no later than noon on the day prior to the scheduled meeting. Please include the following information when submitting public comment:
- Name
- Phone Number
- Date of Meeting
- Meeting Name
- Agenda Item
- Comment (500 words or less)
For more information, contact the SC Commission for Minority Affairs at 803-333-9621 or info@cma.sc.gov.
SC Commission for Minority Affairs Launches New Video Series Highlighting Nonprofit, State and Community Leaders
Columbia, SC – The South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs (SCCMA) has launched a new studio series to showcase the vital work nonprofit leaders, state agency heads and other key partners are doing to enhance the lives of ethnic minority communities throughout the state.
The series, titled “CMAmeets…” will feature interviews with diverse community and state partners. Viewers will learn about their daily responsibilities, available resources, upcoming projects, and how their group is enhancing the lives of minorities in South Carolina.
“CMAmeets is an opportunity for us to highlight our incredible partners and give viewers an inside look at the programs and initiatives that are making a difference in the lives of the communities we serve,” said SCCMA Executive Director Dr. Delores Dacosta. “Our goal is to inspire and engage our community, while also fostering collaboration and support for programs that promote cultural diversity.”
The first episode features Together SC’s President and Chief Executive Officer Madeleine McGee.
Together SC serves thousands across the state, including nonprofits and philanthropic organizations, who are dedicated to community service, leadership, and making healthy communities.McGee talks about the Together SC’s great nonprofit partners, its plans for the next year, and how its work intersects with minority communities.
CMAmeets is available on SCCMA’s YouTube channel.
Rocky Road: A Brief Examination of Travel Conditions for African American Workers in South Carolina
In South Carolina, most travel is done on the road. Evaluating travel conditions is an important step for the Commission for Minority Affairs in an effort to describe the socio-economic status for minority communities. In this brief, Statistical and Research Analyst Zhengyang Lin explores the conditions of traveling for work for African Americans. Lin examined data provided by American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) and the South Carolina Department of Transportation. Data suggests that African Americans are the group that commute via vehicles the most, however, in places where there are significant proportions of African American residents, primary roads are sparse and in poor conditions but with few maintenance projects. (DOWNLOAD PDF)
The Culture Connect Podcast: Columbia International Festival President Dr. Raj Aluri on International Fellowship
Tune in now as #TheCultureConnect celebrates #AAPIHeritageMonth with Dr. Raj Aluri. Immigrating to the United States almost 50 years ago, Raj has created a remarkable legacy for promoting diversity, multicultural embrace, and for ministering the gospel of Jesus Christ to Columbia’s international students. As founder & president of both the Columbia International Festival, which welcomes thousands annually, and International Fellowship Ministries, listen in to this episode as Raj discusses with the host his beginnings in India, his salvation story, his transition to South Carolina, and his journey in cultivating a vibrant international student support & community.
Listen to the episode: YouTube / Spotify
Future Citizens: On the Changing Demographics of Public-School Enrollments in South Carolina
Providing a growing, diverse population with the appropriate educational resources from preschool through secondary education is vital if the state’s economic development objectives are to be met. In this brief, Research Director Dr. Robert P. Fenton examines the state’s changing public-school demographics to bring awareness to areas where specialized curriculum and administration changes might be made. (DOWNLOAD PDF)
Photos: Minority Self-Publishing Authors Roundtable
The South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs held a Minority Self-Publishing Authors Roundtable on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at EdVenture Children’s Museum (211 Gervais St., Columbia, SC 29201).
From developing a story or idea for a book to navigating the publishing process, the Minority Self-Publishing Authors Roundtable empowered attendees with the tools needed to self-publish a book.
Attendees engaged with the following multicultural publishers and authors:
- Linder Green, Publisher
- Dr. Walter B. Curry, Publisher
- Neena Love, Publisher
- Chiquanda Tillie, Author
- Fa’apepele Hunkin, Author
- Carson Faust, Author
To view photos from the event, visit our Facebook page.
Unattainable Dreams: Housing Affordability in South Carolina
In our latest research brief, Statistician Max Petushko examines new data sources and releases to further explore dynamics addressed in the July 2022 brief "Unaffordable Housing." By integrating data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov) and Federal Reserve Economic Data (fred.stlouisfed.org), this research spotlights major socioeconomic dynamics and connections between affordable housing, vacant houses, and householder age patterns in South Carolina. (DOWNLOAD PDF)
South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs Among Notable State Documents Winners
The South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs’ Statistical Profile FY2021-2022 has been recognized by the South Carolina State Library as one of the most notable South Carolina State Documents of 2023.
"At the SC Commission for Minority Affairs, we believe in the power of data to drive meaningful change,” Executive Director Dr. Delores Dacosta said. “This recognition reaffirms our commitment to providing the most comprehensive data that empowers decision-makers and help us continue to provide constructive solutions to support the socio-economic development of ethnic minorities in South Carolina. We are honored to receive this prestigious award for our Statistical Profile.”
Government documents come in a variety of formats. Winning categories include state agency monographs, serials, and websites or apps. These noteworthy publications call attention to some of the most informative documents released by state agencies in 2023.
The Statistical Profile serves to frame policy discussions around the importance of targeted interventions across a range of issues affecting minority communities today. The profile details the state’s cultural diversity and demographic shifts, economic and employment trends, educational and housing prospects, and health indicators.
“Our Statistical Profile serves as a cornerstone in understanding and addressing the unique needs of minority communities in South Carolina,” SCCMA Research Director Dr. Robert P. Fenton said. “I’m proud of our team’s dedication and expertise in producing this notable and extensive report.”
Winners of the South Carolina Notable State Documents awards are announced in honor of Freedom of Information Day, which occurs annually on March 16. Awards will be presented to the winning agencies and authors in a ceremony to be held at 10:00 a.m. at the State Library on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. For more information about the awards program, please visit the SC State Library’s subject guide.
Nominations for the Notable Documents Awards were submitted throughout the calendar year, with final candidates being judged by a panel of librarians and state employees.
Publications were judged based on their designs, writing styles, and breadth of information. The judges chose a unique group of twelve publications and websites for recognition, including a report on the effects of social isolation on older adults, a lovely annual publication showcasing the state’s agriculture industry, and a newly redesigned website by the agency charged with guiding the development of the arts in our state.
Leesa Aiken, South Carolina State Library director said, "South Carolina state documents provide a wealth of information, statistics, and share a broad range of knowledge about our state. I am pleased that we are able to publicly recognize these important publications and websites as notable documents and it is my hope that all South Carolina state agencies continue to produce high quality documents such as these."
South Carolina State Library 2023 Notable State Documents Winners:
https://guides.statelibrary.sc.gov/sc-state-documents-depository/award
Comparing 2022 American Community Survey 1-year Estimates with Recent Years
In our latest research brief, Research and Statistical Analyst Zhengyang Lin explores changes in key facets of the state’s minority demographics – ranging from population to education attainment – by comparing the 2021 and 2022 American Community Survey (ACS). (DOWNLOAD PDF)