Dr. Delores Dacosta

A native of Awendaw, SC, Dr. Delores Dacosta brings over 40 years of dedicated public service, including 20 years of experience in federal policies and regulations. She began her federal career as a Legislative Assistant to the late Congressman Arthur Ravenel, Jr., later serving as Chief of Staff to Congressman Henry Brown, Jr., before retiring in 2017 as Regional Director to U.S. Senator Tim Scott.

Currently, Dr. Dacosta is the Executive Director of the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs. As an agent for change, Dacosta transformed the Commission for Minority Affairs by initiating and advocating change that promotes and drives innovation, encourages cultural shifts, and identifies community needs. As a catalyst for transformation, Dacosta restored the integrity of the Commission through research, collaboration, and advocacy efforts that promote cultural transitions and close socio-economic gaps. 

Dacosta holds a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership from Regent University, along with a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. In addition to her federal experience, Dacosta has served as a Charleston City police officer and a Charleston County magistrate.

Her commitment to public service is further highlighted by her active role in various committees, including the South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster’s Accelerate SC COVID-19 Prevention Taskforce; DHEC’s Vaccine Testing and Distribution Taskforce; the SC CARES Act Small & Minority Business Grant Distribution panel; and the SC Regulatory Agency for Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program. 

Awards and Certifications

• Recipient of the Women in Philanthropy and Leadership award from Coastal Carolina University, Conway, S.C., (2016)
• Recipient of the Small Business Advocacy Award from the Minority Business Development Agency, Columbia, S.C. (2017)
• Certified Trainer for Dr. Ruby Payne’s “Bridges Out of Poverty Process” (2019)
• Certified Facilitator in the “Getting Ahead in a Just-Getting’-By World” process (2019)
• Certified as a NxLevel Business Trainer (2020)
• Cornell University Diversity and Inclusion Certificate (2021)
• Certificate of Completion of the SC Ports Authority Ambassador’s program (2023)
• Certificate of Completion, Yale School of Management in Executive Education (2023)
• Certified Leadership Trainer through the John Maxwell Leadership Program (2023)