Who We Are
We are the African-American Caucus of the SC Democratic Party, and we support issues important to the African-American community. The Democratic Black Caucus of South Carolina-Greenville Chapter works to obtain equitable political power, and increase diversity in party leadership, by supporting increased recruitment of qualified African-American precinct officers and candidates.
Our Goals: We seek to strengthen the African-American community’s position in the Democratic Party through encouraging precinct officers participation in County and State conventions, increasing the number of African-American electorates, and promoting a 10-Point Black Agenda that addresses Economic Justice, Education, Voting Rights, and Criminal Justice Reform.
Public, General Membership Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. At this time, all meetings are virtual and invitation links are sent via email, prior. For an invitation link or a meeting agenda, email Secretary Whitney Wright at whitney.wrightsc@gmail.com.
What we do
Voter Engagement Program
The Voter Engagement Initiative consists of a collaboration between Upstate organizations, including the Democratic Black Caucus of SC-Greenville Chapter, the Greenville County Democratic Party (GCDP), NAACP Voter Engagement, the League of Women Voters, and Pastors In Action. The purpose of this effort is to engage voters and non-voters, in all local/municipal, Greenville County Council, US Senate, and Presidential elections.
Goal 1: Amidst the Pandemic, absentee voting has become a public safety issue for many in our community suffering from underlying conditions. We will endeavor to encourage and identify 10,000 voters who will cast their ballots absentee, in the upcoming elections.
Goal 2: Millennial votes matter, and black millennials are “fired up” and ready to take action! The DBCSC-Greenville Chapter will work with the young activist community to engage millennials with regard to the issues they care about, such as college debt and/or free college tuition, health care costs and accessibility, economic justice, and criminal justice reform.
Goal 3: There are 28,000 registered African-Americans in Greenville County who DID NOT vote in the most recent mid-term elections. Imagine the impact that this “sleeping giant” group could make on Affordable Housing, Transportation, Living Wages, and local Criminal Justice Reform policies in Greenville – if they voted. We will work week-in and week-out to guarantee that these voters are engaged, informed, and ready to act in local and national elections.
Monthly meetings
Regular meetings are held the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
Join us on Facebook Live! (via the Greenville County Democratic Black Caucus SC page) – as we present candidates, community activists, and issues experts to discuss the advancement of the Black Agenda. Learn about local, state, and national efforts to address affordable housing, community reinvestment by banks, criminal justice reform, and voting rights.
Leadership
Chair– Kwadjo Campbell
Vice Chair– Javarus Howard
Secretary– Whitney Wright
Treasurer– Marilyn Prince
Executive Committee Member– Paul Merlo
Black Agenda Education Chair – Stacey Mars
What we’re talking about
Convention Recap: Energy + engagement = electoral success
By Elias ‘Eli’ ValentinChair, GCDP The South Carolina Democratic Party held the 2021 Convention between May 19 and May 22. During the biannual meeting of the Party, we added planks to our platform, amended Rules to our State Bylaws, and elected the Leadership of our State Party. This crucial gathering of Democrats from all across […]
Call for justice for Jamal Sutherland
By Kwadjo Campbell,Chair, Greenville County Democratic Black Caucus “If an American, because his skin is dark, cannot enjoy the full and free life which all of us want, then who among us would be content to have the color of his skin changed and stand in his place? Who among us would then be content […]
Being a Black Woman Today
We had a dynamic conversation with five Black women representing a variety of personal and professional experiences. Their paths were often different but the undercurrents of their experiences were decidedly similar. It was a powerful and energetic event filled with positivism and shared purpose. Panelists: Dr. Shaniece Criss, Stacey Mars, Shirley Scott, Ebony Sullivan, and […]
SC Resists Free Money for Medicaid Expansion
By Roxanne Cordonier At first glance, expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) sounds like a no-brainer fiscally. Now the Biden administration is sweetening the pot by offering expanded federal coverage to South Carolina and 11 other states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming) that […]
The American Rescue Plan: What’s in it for me?
By Elise Filpot In March, South Carolina and the rest of the United States marked one year since the wide-scale start of the COVID-19 pandemic. During that year, more than 560,000 people in the U.S. and more than 8,700 South Carolina citizens have died of COVID-19. As a consequence of trying to contain the numbers […]
Women in Leadership
Four current and former Greenville City Councilwomen come together to discuss what women’s leadership looks like in one of the country’s most up-and-coming cities. Diane Smock, Jil Littlejohn, Lillian Brock Flemming and Dorothy Dowe talked about collaboration vs. competition, the importance of mentoring in their careers and to build a bench for the future, and […]
A Greenville Democratic summit will set our 2021 course
By Elias “Eli” Valentin II As a former coach, I am a lover of quotes. One of my favorites is from Henry Ford, and he says, “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, working together is success.” As we look at where we are as a Party here in Greenville, these words must […]
Honoring Black History and looking forward
An inspirational and activating breakfast featuring powerful remarks by the Rev. Stacey Mills and the Rev. J.M. Flemming, president of the Greenville NAACP. Also Dr. Dawn Bingham addressed a number of questions and concerns about COVID, the vaccine distribution and access. Watch on YouTube or listen to the audiocast on SouthCloud.
Being a Black Man Today
A panel of four community advocates, activists, organizers, and businessmen discuss the challenges of trying to advocate for their communities, for social and racial justice, education and more while Being a Black Man Today. Panelists are Kwadjo Campbell, Je’Varus Howard, Derrick Quarrels, and Jonathon Sweeney. Moderator: Eli Valentin, GCDP chair. View Post Prefer to listen […]
Dem Women kicks off new year with unity
The Democratic Women of Greenville County’s February virtual meeting brought together the diversity of the Democratic Party with a call for working together toward our common goal: Getting Democrats elected. Among the speakers were the five Greenville women admitted to the Emerge 2021 class, Eli Valentin, chair of the Greenville County Democratic Party; Camden Johnson, […]