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SCCMA Office Closed Due to State Holiday
The South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs office will be closed on Thursday, November 23, 2023, and Friday, November 24, 2023, in observance of Thanksgiving Day. The office will reopen for normal business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) on Monday, November 27, 2023.
The South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs office will be closed on Friday, December 22, 2023, Monday, December 25, 2023, and Tuesday, December 26, 2023, in observance of Christmas. The office will reopen for normal business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) on Wednesday, December 27, 2023.
The South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs office will be closed on Monday, January 1, 2023, in observance of New Year's Day. The office will reopen for normal business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
Small But Mighty: The Power of Small Business-Canvas Studio
Episode 4 of Small But Mighty: The Power of Small Business is here, and we are thrilled to showcase the incredible all-women trio of Kathryn, Jessie, and Karla from Canvas Studio! Located on Augusta Road in West Columbia, SC, this nail salon studio is not just about beauty; it's about community, passion, and the power of small business.
In this episode, we dive deep into:
1. The journey of Canvas Studio and discover how Kathryn, Jessie, and Karla's unwavering commitment to their clients has made them a local favorite.
2. The innovative nail services, intricate designs, and high-quality products that have customers raving and coming back for more.
3. The power of women lifting each other up as the trio shares their passion for creating job opportunities for women in the community and their dedication to supporting local businesses.
4. How Canvas Studio has navigated the ups and downs of the nail and beauty industry, constantly evolving and adapting to ensure they are always at the top of their game.
Watch the episode: Facebook / YouTube
A Celebration of Native American Heritage: Chief Lamar Nelson
Join us in celebrating #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth! #TheCultureConnect met with Chief Lamar Nelson, CEO of the Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois and United Tribes of South Carolina.
Appointed to serve in 2020, Chief Nelson succeeded Dr. William Goings, bringing over 40 years of archaeological experience and multigenerational indigenous heritage to the Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois and United Tribes of South Carolina.
Tune in as Chief Nelson and Host Daniel James II discuss the Chief’s Native American ancestry, his grandparents, his career as a tribal archaeologist, his election to Chief, and the prospect of a Native American Research Museum coming to South Carolina.
Listen to the episode: Facebook / YouTube
SCCMA Board of Commissioners October Meeting
The South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs (CMA) Board of Commissioners will meet on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at 10 a.m. in the CMA Conference Room (246 Stoneridge Dr., Columbia, SC 29210).
Those who wish to participate in the public input portion of the meeting should email comments to info@cma.sc.gov. Comments must be received no later than noon on the day prior to the scheduled meeting. The following information must be included 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. VIEW AGENDA
Small But Mighty: The Power of Small Business-Landry Phillips, Regal Lounge
Situated on Bull Street in the heart of downtown Columbia, SC, Regal Lounge is more than just a barbershop; it's the epitome of luxurious grooming. With its majestic navy blue exterior and air of sophistication, once you step inside, Regal Lounge provides a space of opulence in an otherwise conventional grooming landscape.
In the third episode of "Small But Mighty: The Power of Small Business," journey with us as we spotlight Landry Phillips, CEO and co-owner, behind the grooming destination, providing more than just a haircut and a shave, but an experience and exploration:
1. The inception of Regal Lounge and what fueled Landry's passion to elevate the grooming experience
2. The unique and signature services that set Regal Lounge apart, making it a sought-after destination in the Midlands
3. The challenges of building a business during the COVID-19 pandemic and how Landry leveraged small business resources to propel his vision forward even in the face of challenges
4. Landry's advice to budding entrepreneurs and his roadmap for success
For more information on Regal Lounge, visit https://regallounge.com/. Watch the episode: Facebook / YouTube
SC Commission for Minority Affairs to host the State’s First SC Hispanic/Latino Affairs Summit
The South Carolina Hispanic/Latino Affairs Summit is a must-attend event for anyone interested in celebrating and embracing the rich culture and contributions of the Hispanic/Latino community in South Carolina. Join us on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Midlands Technical College Airport Campus (1260 Lexington Dr., Room AC 143, West Columbia, SC 29170) for a day filled with insightful discussions.
At the first SC Hispanic/Latino Affairs Summit, you'll have the opportunity to connect with fellow community members and leaders and be inspired as they share their personal experiences and success stories advocating for the Hispanic/Latino community.
Beaufort County School District Superintendent Dr. Frank Rodriguez will deliver the keynote address. Dr. Rodriguez served the South Florida educational community for 26 years in a variety of positions prior to starting his position as superintendent of the Beaufort County School District. At the Florida Department of Education, Dr. Rodriguez served as a secondary Social Studies teacher and a program coordinator. He was also an elementary and secondary principal, an assistant superintendent for six district departments, and an area and regional superintendent in the Palm Beach County schools.
Other speakers include Maria Yturria, Deputy Chief of Professional Development/Public Affairs Office at Richland County Sheriff’s Department; The Honorable Michèle Patrão Forsythe, Family Court Judge at Charleston Circuit 9; Ivan Segura, Director of Multicultural Affairs at SCCMA; Vanessa Gongora, Territory Director for Norsan Media; Melanie Delgado, former Infrastructure Implementation Communications Intern at The White House; and Sarai Melendez, Councilmember of the City of Walhalla.
Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a vibrant event that celebrates the South Carolina Hispanic/Latino community. To RSVP, visit Eventbrite.
A Celebration of Filipino Heritage: Mrs. Elen Callahan
Let’s celebrate Filipino Heritage in America this coming October! The Culture Connect meets Mrs. Elen Callahan, vice president of Filipino American Association of Greater Columbia (FAAGC), South Carolina. Serving the Midlands for over 30 years, FAAGC has been a source of support, community, culture, and hope for Filipinos coming to South Carolina.
Catch this episode with Callahan where she discusses with host, Daniel James II, Filipino dance, traditions, her mother Priscilla’s food, hardships, opportunities, and the enormous contributions of Filipino people to South Carolina’s history & culture!
Learn more about how you can celebrate #FilipinoAmericanHistoryMonth at www.faagc.com. To watch the episode, visit our Culture Connect page.
The Palmetto (Luso-) Latinos?: A Profile of Brazilians in South Carolina
Increasingly, over the past few years, more Brazilians have been making South Carolina home. Unlike their South American peers with which they are often categorized, Brazilians do not typically self-identify as Hispanic/Latinos. Thus, they tend to get lumped together with other racial groups. In this brief, Research Director Dr. Robert P. Fenton explores some of the key socio-economic data points associated with South Carolina’s growing Brazilian community, in the hopes of building bridges and providing recognition of this unique, vibrant, and globally recognized ethnic group. (DOWNLOAD PDF)
South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs and Greater Columbia Community Relations Council to Host Workshop on Facilitating Conversations Around Community Conflict
The South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs and the Greater Columbia Community Relations Council have partnered to host a free workshop on Facilitating Conversations Around Community Conflict on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The workshop will be held at the Central Carolina Community Foundation, 2142 Boyce St. Ste. 402, Columbia, SC 29201.
The one-day training, led by facilitators with the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service, will provide community members with helpful tips and the tools needed to successfully facilitate meetings that address and respond to conflicts in their communities.
Space is limited, and registration is required. To register, visit https://sccma-facilitatingconversations.eventbrite.com.
For more information, call the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs at 803-333-9621.
The Culture Connect: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Mrs. Tanya Rodriguez-Hodges
#HispanicHeritageMonth kicks off September 15th and in recognition of the month, Daniel James II sat down with Mrs. Tanya Rodriguez-Hodges for a new episode of The Culture Connect!
A Latina, a proud wife and mom, Tanya is the Executive Director and Founder of Latino Community Development Corp. – a non-profit meeting the needs of Hispanic and Latin populations in South Carolina. For the past decade, Hodges has offered translation and interpretation services, financial literacy, business development tools, and essential needs for families during times of personal, natural, and global crises. Her passion has been to see minority families build wealth, seize opportunities, and experience the fulness of their possibilities.
The Culture Connect podcast highlights South Carolina’s minority communities with the aim to improve their quality of life, highlight opportunities, and provide resources. Be sure to subscribe or follow us so that you can stay aware of new episodes. #thecultureconnectsc #BuildingBridges #closinggaps
Listen to the episode: Facebook / YouTube / Spotify
Uneven Foundations: The Impact of Urbanization on Household Dynamics in South Carolina
In this comprehensive study, Statistician Max Petushko investigates the profound impact of urbanization on household dynamics in South Carolina using decennial census housing data from 2010 to 2020. By exploring the relationship between urbanization and household growth, the research uncovers a distinctive two-humped pattern that reveals varying effects across different racial and ethnic groups. The findings shed light on the challenges posed by limited housing markets and underscore the need for targeted policies to address disparities affecting affordable housing access. (DOWNLOAD PDF)
Small But Mighty: The Power of Small Business-Lina and Ismael Cordero, Waffle Drop
In the second episode of "Small But Mighty: The Power of Small Business," join us as we indulge in the sweet success of Waffle Drop. Nestled in Hampton Station, Greenville's very own Waffle Drop brings a taste of Hong Kong to South Carolina, courtesy of Lina and Ismael Cordero. This dynamic couple saw an opportunity to blend cultures and introduce the bubble waffle—a beloved Hong Kong treat—to a whole new audience. View the episode on our Facebook or YouTube pages.
The Culture Connect: Celebrating 30 Years at the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs
Season 2 of The Culture Connect Podcast kicks off with Executive Director Dr. Delores Dacosta, Native American Affairs Program Manager Jerry Francis, and Asian American and Pacific Islander Affairs Program Coordinator Christine Currie!
In part one of the two-part episode, host Daniel James II explores the Commission's 30th Anniversary theme, "Building Bridges and Closing Gaps," through the work of the agency's program managers and coordinators and takes a look at what's next for the State's official agency dedicated to the economic prosperity of all ethnic minority citizens of South Carolina. Listen to the part One: Facebook / YouTube / Spotify
In part two of the first episode of The Culture Connect, host Daniel James II continues the discussion on the Commission's 30th Anniversary theme, "Building Bridges and Closing Gaps” with Hispanic Latino Affairs Program Manager Alex Tovar and African American Affairs Program Coordinator Ashley Owens. Listen to the episode: Facebook / YouTube / Spotify
Federal Student Loan Information: Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan
Repayments for federal student loans are set to begin in October. There is a new income-driven student loan repayment plan, Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE), that is in effect. SAVE is designed to help lower monthly loan payments for those on income-driven repayment plans. To learn more about SAVE, visit: https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/save-plan.
Scholarships Available for Students
Looking for scholarships to assist you or your student with college expenses? Check out this list provided by the Marion County Administration.
The Culture Connect Podcast: Mr. Lester Young
On our next episode of The Culture Connect, we talk to Path2Redemption founder Lester Young. Young discusses his "path to redemption" and holistic approaches to assisting formerly incarcerated individuals. The Culture Connect podcast, brought to you by the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs (CMA), highlights South Carolina’s minority communities with the aim of improving their quality of life, highlighting opportunities, and providing resources. Be sure to stay connected with us so that you can stay aware of new episodes. Visit The Culture Connect Podcast page to view past episodes.
30th Anniversary Celebration & Scholarship Gala
The South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs (CMA) celebrated its 30th anniversary on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at the Columbia Convention Center to honor the agency’s community impact and service to the State of South Carolina's ethnic minority communities. If you missed the event, check out photos on our Facebook page.
On the Move: Incoming and Outgoing Minority Prime-Age Populations in South Carolina from 2016 to 2021
As of April 2023, South Carolina has one of the nation’s lowest labor participation rates and one of the most rapidly aging populations. To accommodate these measures, the state has mobilized a significant number of resources to entice corporations to relocate production and processing facilities within its borders. In this brief, Research Director Dr. Robert P. Fenton examines some of the characteristics of prime-age minority populations that have arrived or left the state from 2016 to 2021. (DOWNLOAD PDF)
Small But Mighty: The Power of Small Business Series Premiere Features Uncle Willie's Grocery Story Owner Christa Williams
Located on historic Main Street, Uncle Willie's Grocery Store has become more than just a place to shop; it has become a hub for the community. In the premiere episode of our new series "Small but Mighty: The Power of Small Business, "Christa Williams, the owner of Uncle Willie's Grocery Store, shares her passion for serving the locals, building connections, and creating a space that feels like home. View the episode on our Facebook or YouTube pages.
SC Ports Authority Legal Notices
Are you interested in working with the SC Ports Authority? Visit https://scspa.com/about/legal-notices/ to view available opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs to bid on projects. Note: When visiting links for most Engineering Capital Construction projects, visitors will be redirected to the e-Builder website. Each new project requires the user to register (name, company name and email address). For more information on the SC Ports Authority, visit https://scspa.com/.