Who’s leading the movement for racial equality in SC — and what drives them?
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Here are the people behind the push for social justice in South Carolina
During the first half of 2020, people across the United States launched a historic push to end systemic racism and advocate for a more equitable society. In Columbia and across South Carolina, thousands from all walks of life rallied, marched, chanted and demanded change to broken systems that disproportionately affect minorities and people of color. The State talked with several young community leaders who are behind various movements seeking to create lasting change. Learn more about them here.
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Who’s leading the movement for racial equality in SC — and what drives them?
From ‘dismay and agony’ to hope, organizers of Million Man March want to keep going
Lawrence Nathaniel grew up homeless. Now he’s a public face of Black Lives Matter in SC
She felt young people’s voices were missing from protests — so she got to work
Empower SC’s leaders want to ‘break supremacy’s back’ right here, right now
Over the past several weeks, cities and towns across America have experienced a historic push for an end to systemic racism. Protests that started against race-based police brutality after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May have grown into a broader movement.
In Columbia and across South Carolina, thousands from all walks of life have rallied, marched, chanted and demanded change.
The people leading this movement in the Palmetto State are young, ambitious and, in some cases, engaging in social activism for the first time. The State met with seven of them to get a better understanding of who they are, how they got involved at this moment in history — and what they believe comes next.
From Black Lives Matter South Carolina, Lawrence Nathaniel is a former congressional candidate and longtime activist who grew up battling homelessness. He helped organize some of the first protests in Columbia and has a big vision for South Carolina that involves upending the status quo.
From the Million Man March, Leo Jones and Sterling Jackson saw the reaction of the media and the community to violence that erupted at an early protest and decided to organize a different kind of demonstration — one that showcased “Black excellence.”
From the Million Teen March, Camryn Philson didn’t want her generation to be left out of this historic moment. Having witnessed social segregation and moments of prejudice in her own high school, she felt the need to ensure young people’s concerns were heard.
From Empower SC, Rye Martinez, Demetris Hill and Jazmyne McCrae are all about policy — and ensuring Black women are at the forefront of the movement. They come from different backgrounds but are all passionate about improving education, among other things, in the Palmetto State.
This story was originally published July 22, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
