Message from the Chair
Precinct Presidents
Planning for success in the 2022 elections starts today, and it can start with you!
We are looking to expand our reach into every corner of Greenwood County by designating a “Precinct President” in each of the 50 voting precincts. The Precinct President is the eyes and ears of their community, looking for opportunities for the GWCDP and Democratic candidates to get the message out to the people.
We can’t rely on “someone else” to be a force for change. If we don’t have you, then who? You don’t need to be a political expert with tons of experience – you only need the fundamental desire to help turn SC Blue!
Take a look at the poster below and reach out if you want to explore the idea further. You CAN make a difference and have fun in the process!
Your Voting Rights
Starting with this newsletter, we are going to focus on the coast-to-coast attacks on our voting rights, attacks that disproportionately affect people of color.
Consider this: Jonathan Rodden, a political science professor at Stanford University, submitted the following report as part of a lawsuit that found that in Atlanta’s metro area during the 2020 primary:
“In polling places where minorities constituted more than 90 percent of active registered voters, the average minimum wait time in the evening was 51 minutes. When whites constituted more than 90 percent of registered voters, the average was around six minutes.”
So whether by active legislation, gerrymandering, or by selective omission of resources, the anti-democratic reaction to Donald Trump’s loss in November’s election has been swift and brazen. We will continue to report examples of legislation aimed to suppress the vote, what the Biden Administration is doing to combat that, and specific actions YOU can take to ensure democracy is allowed to thrive in the United States.
GWCDP News
The Young Democrats of Greenwood will be hosting a virtual Town Hall featuring some of our Greenwood Elected Officials on Thursday, April 8 at 7 pm.
Confirmed participants include:
- Greenwood City Councilwoman Patricia Partlow
- Greenwood County Councilwoman Edith Childs
- – more to be confirmed –
Reserve your spot by registering via Mobilize today!
Floyd’s Fish Fry and Cookout
Our Alternate Committeeman, Ahmad Hart, has stepped up to help lead a committee to plan for our annual Floyd’s Fish Fry & Cookout (formerly “Fish & Dogs”).
While we don’t have a specific date set up yet, we believe that an outdoor event in a few months could be safe and fun given the excellent pace of vaccinations!
We need a few planning volunteers to help organize this event. Please e-mail us at info@gwdcountydems.org or call (864) 715-2341 if you would like to get involved. Many hand make for light work!
Our Community
Lander University‘s Race and Identity Dialogue series has been a phenomenal and timely exploration of a series of complex issues.
On Thu, March 25, Mamie Nicholson will be a featured presenter in a session titled “Parenting and Telling Stories to Children”. You can read more about it and register for the session here.
Boys & Girl Club of the Lakelands Region
Last week, the GWCDP Executive Committee was offered a tour of the incredible Boys and Girls Club, including the new Starz24 Teen Center. Thank you very much for the generosity of your time, Executive Director Sabrina Miller! It was an eye-opening experience and we eagerly look forward to partnering with you for the betterment of the children of our community!
If you have any questions or wish to learn more about the Boys & Girls Club, the Be Great Academy or the Starz24 center, you can contact:
Ms. Sabrina Miller
Business: (864) 942-5662
Cell: (803) 609-1427
email: smiller@lakelands.begreat.club
Facebook
Volunteer Opportunities with the Boys & Girls Club
Our Community Care Movement Director, Wanda Moore, is spearheading a volunteer effort to assist the Boys & Girls Club and the Be Great Academy with their mission. There are many ways in which you can contribute:
If you would like to Volunteer in person to work with the kids, you can fill out a Volunteer Form and Background Check form (there is an $8.00 fee required to cover the costs of the Background check form). We have printed forms we can give you if you need help getting them!
Teen Club, Ages 13-18
Donate art supplies, board games, and books.
Volunteers to work as mentors in the art studio, music & recording studio, and other tasks at the Center.
All Be Great Academy, K through 6th Grade
Donate board games and books.
Volunteer to paint the upper building, perform some cleanup & maintenance outside, and help with other tasks.
Be mentors to the children.
General materials needed at both centers
Snacks and water bottles.
Paper towels, bathroom tissue.
Hygiene & cleaning items.
And of course, monetary donations are always welcome and will be put to great use!
The Centers could really use these items by April 12, 2021 as they begin to ramp up for their summer programs.
Please reach out to
Wanda Moore
(864) 554-5702
wandamoore320@gmail.com
to coordinate collection of materials or to give your name for an in-person volunteer activity. From our tour we are certain this is an excellent program worth promoting and supporting in Greenwood!
News & Noteworthy
The Inaugural Clyburn Day will be held on Wednesday, April 7.
One year ago, the Democratic Party averted disaster when U.S. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn endorsed now President Biden and created the huge momentum that carried him to the White House.
On April 7th, join us for the inaugural Clyburn Day to “Reflect, Rejoice, Relearn” and honor Whip Clyburn for his monumental influence in last year’s primary. Over the next month, we invite you to reflect on Whip Clyburn’s history-altering leadership and share its lessons for the future.
Register to secure a spot for the in a “Reflect, Relearn & Rejoice” webinar!
Legislative Updates
American Rescue Plan
The passage of the American rescue plan last week was desperately needed, particularly here in South Carolina, where the impact has been severe:
- Since the pandemic began, more than 525,000 people have been infected with COVID-19 and more than 8,700 people have died.
- The unemployment rate is 5.6%, up from 2.8% before the pandemic.
- Since February 2020, more than 75,000 fewer people are employed.
- 424,000 adults – 12% of all adults in the state – report not having enough food to eat. This includes 187,000 adults living with children, or 15% of all adults living with children, who report that the children in their household do not have enough to eat.
- An estimated 223,000 renters or 23% of renters are not caught up on rent.
- An estimated 1.4 million adults or 37% of all adults statewide report having difficulty covering normal household expenses.
President Biden’s American Rescue Plan will provide South Carolina with:
- $2.6 billion in state fiscal relief
- $1.6 billion in local fiscal relief
- More than $2.1 billion in relief for K-12 schools
- Economic impact payments of up to $1,400 per person (above the $600 per person provided in December) for more than 3.3 million adults and 1.3 million children. This is 91% of all adults in the state and 92% of all children in the state.
- Additional relief of up to $1,600 per child through the Child Tax Credit to the families of 1 million children, lifting 68,000 children out of poverty
- Additional relief of up to nearly $1,000 through the Earned Income Tax Credit to 317,000 childless workers, including many in frontline jobs
- Marketplace health insurance premiums that are $1,491 lower per month for a 60-year old couple earning $75,000 per year
American Rescue Plan & Greenwood County
According to the National Association of Counties, Greenwood County is to receive $13,733,357 as part of the American Rescue Plan that was enacted into law last week.
The U.S. Treasury is required to pay first tranche to counties not later than 60-days after enactment, and second payment no earlier than 12 months after the first payment.
Let’s talk with our elected County officials to ensure transparency in how these funds are being spent in our community!
Upcoming Events
See our Calendar Page for these and other upcoming events.
Race and Identity Dialogue: Parenting and Telling Stories to Children
Thu, Mar 25
5:30 pm
Register
Poetry of a Nation, Part 3 – the Young Poets
Greenwood County Diversity
Sun, Mar 28
2 pm
Register
Policing, Protest, and Messaging for Racial Injustice
Tue, Mar 30
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Register
GWCDP Virtual Breakfast Meeting
Sat, Apr 3
9 am – 11 am
Register via Mobilize
Greenwood City Council
Mon, Apr 5
5:30 pm
Municipal Building
520 Monument St., Room 2012
Watch on FB Live
GWD County Council
Tue, Apr 6
5:30 pm
Greenwood Public Library
Watch on YouTube
Clyburn Day
Wed, Apr 7
“Reflect, Relearn & Rejoice” webinar
Register
Race and Identity Dialogue: Race, Politics, and Civic Action
Thu, Apr 8
5:30 pm
Register
GWD Virtual Town Hall
Thu, Apr 8
7 pm – 8 pm
Register via Mobilize
