Columbia Community Engages in Dialogue on Project 2025 Amid Growing Excitement

Columbia, SC: Community Gathers to Discuss Project 2025

The city of Columbia, South Carolina, is buzzing with excitement and anticipation as local organizations come together to tackle an important topic: Project 2025. In an effort to create a positive dialogue and share valuable information, the Wiley Kennedy Foundation, the NAACP, the Columbia Urban League, the Gethsemane Association, and others have launched a series of forums entitled, “What’s at Stake: Hope or Hate?” These informative sessions kicked off right after Labor Day and aim to engage the community in a discussion about what lies ahead.

Upcoming Forum Details

The next forum is set for Monday, September 16, 2024, at the Bible Way Church of Atlas Road, starting at 6:30 pm. This gathering promises to be enlightening and is free for all community members. Organizers encourage everyone to come and participate.

Reflecting on Past Forums

Just last week, on September 3, the first forum was held at the Wiley Kennedy Family Life Center located in Bethlehem Baptist Church. This event was well-attended, with around 145 people showing up in person and another 100+ tuning in online. The lively atmosphere was complemented by the presence of local elected officials, including Senator Tameika Issac Devine and Councilwoman Gretchen Barron, who took the time to engage with the community. Representatives from WACH Fox TV and The Post & Courier were also there, covering the happenings and sharing the buzz.

The second forum took place on September 5 at the Second Nazareth Baptist Church, led by the passionate Rev. Dr. Johnny Ray Noble. Again, the turnout was impressive, with 75 people present and over 600+ viewing the event online—thanks in part to Pastor Noble’s strong Facebook following.

Sharing Knowledge and Expertise

Top-notch presenters have been key to these forums, with experts such as political strategist Antjuan Seawright, Dr. Ellen Jones from Minorities Against Disparity, and Sherry East, President of the SC Education Association, taking the stage to share their insights. Each one brought their unique perspective on Project 2025, diving deep into how the proposed agenda could impact citizens’ daily lives.

A Nonpartisan Platform

Importantly, this series of forums is designed as a non-debate and is not aligned with any political party. It’s a bipartisan effort aimed at equipping citizens with the knowledge they need to understand the implications of Project 2025. The upcoming forum on September 16 will feature notable speakers such as Dr. Bobby Donaldson and Dr. Todd Shaw from the University of South Carolina, along with Monique Lyle from the Center for Civil Rights History and Research.

Join the Conversation

This is an excellent opportunity for residents of Columbia to get informed and involved. Whether you’re passionate about civil rights, education, or community well-being, your voice matters! The forums are open to the public, and the more, the merrier.

If you have any questions or need additional information, feel free to reach out to Gwen Singletary at 803.704.4149 or via email at gsingletary@wileykennedy-foundation.org. Don’t miss out on being part of the conversation that could shape the future of our community.

Mark your calendars for September 16 and join us as we discuss what’s at stake: hope or hate?