December 15, 2023

November 19, 2023

Senior Ham Giveaway

August 20, 2023

2023 Backpack Giveaway

April 30, 2023

Second Annual Clay Hampton Event Two

April 29, 2023

Second Annual Clay Hampton Event

April 24, 2023

Big Match Fundraiser

March 17, 2023

March 17, 2023

North Central Apartments Press Conference

March 12, 2023

Charleston Black Expo

December 31, 2022

New Year’s Eve Dinner

December 24, 2022

Christmas Eve Dinner

December 20, 2022

South Carolina Ports: South Carolina Ports Awards $252,500 To Community Organizations

 South Carolina Ports awarded $252,500 in grants to 90 community organizations and nonprofits throughout South Carolina through its fiscal year 2023 Community Giving Program.

SC Ports dedicates a portion of its revenues each year to support charitable organizations around the state.

“We are so proud that this year marks the most SC Ports has ever given through our Community Giving Program,” said Kelsi Brewer, SC Ports’ Director of Corporate Communications and Community Giving. “These funds will support the efforts of nonprofits around the state who are working so hard to make meaningful impacts for South Carolinians.”

SC Ports increased giving levels to $7,500, $5,000 and $2,500 grants this year to help further organizations’ missions.

Many of this year’s grant recipients are dedicated to community outreach and entrepreneurial development, such as the Eastside Community Development Corp. and Increasing H.O.P.E. These organizations provide support, education and training to help spark opportunities for people within their communities.

SC Ports continues to support organizations focused on increasing food security and access to healthy foods, including The Green Heart Project, Fresh Future Farm and Sustaining Way.

Environmental efforts that help enhance and preserve South Carolina’s natural resources remain a consistent focus for SC Ports. Numerous environmental organizations received grants this year, including Audubon South Carolina, the Avian Conservation Center/Center for Birds of Prey, Charleston Parks Conservancy, Environmental Education Association of SC, Friends of Coastal South Carolina, Hampton Wildlife Fund Inc. and Wounded Nature – Working Veterans.

SC Ports also believes deeply in supporting educational initiatives, with a special focus this year on workforce development and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) programs, including Beyond Our Walls, Communities in Schools of South Carolina, Future Entrepreneurs Foundation and Dillon County First Steps.

“One of the many impactful commitments our SC Ports team makes each year is its firm promise to consistently serve our communities around the state,” SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin said. “We are so excited that our partners at the International Longshoreman’s Association joined us for the first time this year to help prioritize community needs. South Carolina’s maritime community is proud make a meaningful difference in the lives of South Carolinians.”

Programs must fit within one of the focus areas: maritime commerce, economic development, environmental awareness or community outreach. Programs with measurable, sustained impacts receive priority during the selection process.

Fiscal Year 2023 Community Giving Grant Recipients:

  • Eastside Community Development Corp.
  • The Green Heart Project
  • Beyond Our Walls, Inc. (BOWs)
  • Communities In Schools of South Carolina (CISSC)
  • Golden Achievers Community Development Center Inc.
  • Increasing H.O.P.E.
  • SC Future Makers
  • South Carolina Aquarium
  • Teachers’ Supply Closet
  • African American Settlement Historic Commission
  • Aiken Junior Golf Foundation, First Tee – Aiken
  • Amazing Grace Park, Clementa Pinckney Memorial Foundation
  • Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired SC
  • Audubon South Carolina
  • Avian Conservation Center/Center for Birds of Prey
  • Beaufort-Jasper Academy for Career Excellence
  • BEGIN WITH BOOKS/Palmetto Project
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lowcountry
  • Boy Scouts of America – Coastal Carolina Council
  • Camp Happy Days
  • Camp Rise Above
  • Charleston Area Senior Citizens
  • Charleston Orphan House Inc., Carolina Youth D
  • Charleston Parks Conservancy
  • Charleston Symphony Orchestra (CSO)
  • Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas
  • Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry
  • Coaches For Character
  • Creative Advancement Centers
  • Dillon County Chamber of Commerce / PLDCAA
  • Dillon County First Steps
  • Dillon County United Way
  • Dorchester Economic Development Corporation
  • Dorchester Two Educational Foundation
  • Early Learning Partnership of York County
  • Edisto Island youth Recreation (EIYR)
  • Environmental Education Association of SC
  • Every 1 Voice Matters
  • Fields to Families
  • First Tee – Greater Charleston
  • Fresh Future Farm
  • Friends of Coastal South Carolina
  • Future Entrepreneurs Foundation
  • Girls on the Run Coastal South Carolina
  • Greenville Drive
  • Greenville Tech Foundation
  • Greer Community Ministries Inc.
  • Greer Development Corporation
  • Greer Relief & Resources Agency Inc.
  • Hampton Wildlife Fund Inc.
  • Healing Farms
  • Heart Math Tutoring
  • Help 4 Kids Florence
  • Helping Hands of Goose Creek
  • House of Hope North Charleston
  • Humanities Foundation
  • Jasper County First Steps
  • Junior Achievement of Greater SC
  • Kids On Point
  • A Backpack journalist
  • Lions Vision Services
  • Lowcountry Autism Foundation
  • Lowcountry Chapter of Stand Up and Play Foundation
  • Lowcountry Legal Volunteers
  • Lowcountry Local First
  • Lowcountry Maritime School
  • Meals On Wheels Of Summerville SC
  • Mother Emanuel Memorial Foundation
  • Motivate To Educate Organization
  • Multiplying Good
  • Orangeburg County Community of Character
  • Project Cool Breeze
  • Reading Partners
  • Rural Area Leadership Initiative-Dillon County
  • SC Operation Lifesaver – SC NSC
  • SC School for the Deaf and the Blind Foundation
  • SHIELD Ministries Inc.
  • Sustaining Way
  • The Pink House Neighborhood Resource Center
  • The Village Group
  • Town of Ridgeville
  • Tri-County Cradle to Career Collaborative
  • Trident Literacy Association
  • Turn90
  • United Ministries
  • Wings for Kids
  • Winyah Rivers Alliance
  • Wounded Nature – Working Veterans
  • YouthBASE Inc.
  • YWCA Greater Charleston

About South Carolina Ports Authority

South Carolina Ports Authority, established by the state’s General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport and intermodal facilities in Charleston, Dillon, Georgetown and Greer. As an economic development engine for the state, Port operations facilitate 225,000 statewide jobs and generate nearly $63.4 billion in annual economic activity. SC Ports is soon to be home to the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast at 52 feet. SC Ports is an industry leader in delivering speed-to-market, seamless processes and flexibility to ensure reliable operations, big ship handling, efficient market reach and environmental responsibility. Please visit www.scspa.com to learn more about SC Ports.

(https://scspa.com/news/sc-ports-awards-252500-to-community-organizations/)

August 14, 2022

Back To School Giveaway Photos

Photos by Larry Monteith

March 12, 2022

Charleston Black Expo Photos

Photos by Larry Monteith

March 1, 2022

The Hall Of Fame Game And Events Photos

Photos by Larry Monteith

February 24, 2022

December 21, 2021

ABC News 4: Hundreds Of Free Turkeys Being Distributed In North Charleston Tuesday

By Matt Dillane

Authorities, attorneys and a local nonprofit have teamed up to give out 400 turkeys ahead of Christmas.

On Tuesday, Motivate To Educate is hosting its annual “Christmas Turkey Giveaway.”

The event is taking place starting at 4 p.m. at Cricket Wireless, located at 3421 Rivers Avenue, Suite 101.

The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, along with several local law firms, are assisting the nonprofit with the distribution effort.

One turkey will be given to each person or vehicle until supplies run out.

December 1, 2021

We will continue to show support for our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Here we are with Representative Wendell Gilliard and others.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17MR0tFl4nWI30Vx-Sk2ew2_kZc0b105O/view

August 2, 2021

ABC News 4: North Charleston Has Highest Eviction Rate In The United States As Federal Eviction Moratorium Ends

By Tara Jabour

The Federal eviction moratorium is now over. So what does that mean for the Lowcountry, specifically those in North Charleston?

North Charleston has the highest eviction rate in the United States according to evictionlab.org.https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.487.0_en.html#goog_931338843Volume 90% N. Charleston has highest eviction rate in the US as federal eviction mortarium ends

“Here you got human beings sleeping on the streets, dealing with this inclement weather. They don’t even know where the next meal is coming from,” said Tony Lewis, Founder and President of Motivate to Educate.

Trident United Way said around 100,000 people rent in the tri-county area. Almost 15 percent of those renters can’t pay the bill, totaling around $60 million of unpaid rent in the tri-county area.

“(That $60 million owed) is going to be hard for a municipality to absorb, landlords or individuals who own property that are paying mortgages,” said Jonathan Rauh, the VP of public policy at Trident United Way.

Resources Available

Although the federal eviction mortarium expired, help is still available.

“There are still dollars available from your municipalities to help people get by during this time so they can pay their rent and catch up,” said Rauh.

Trident United Way has resource connection centers in Dorchester and Berkeley counties.

But if you don’t have access to the internet, another resource is available.

“I would suggest calling the 2-1-1 hotline. They can just dial 2-1-1 and they will get a live person to talk to. They can talk through what needs they have,” said Rauh.

Biggest Impact in North Charleston

Rauh said there’s one area in the Lowcountry that could feel the biggest impact of the mortarium ending.

“North Charleston has one of the most transient populations in the state. It also has one of the highest eviction rates in the United States, if not the highest eviction rate in the United States,” said Rauh.

Tony Lewis is the founder and president of Motivate to Educate.

One of the things his non-profit does is feed the homeless population a hot meal seven days a week.

Tony said he feels like the moratorium ending could make things worse.

“It will increase crime and it will increase mental health issues and challenges. Because when you don’t have a place to stay, it messes with your mental capacity,” said Lewis.

Lewis hears from homeless people every day about their needs.

“We have a lot of folks come to us and say hey, we need jobs. We need a place to stay. We need help with our mental illness,” said Lewis.

Now, he is challenging the community to step up.

“I’m challenging all elected officials. The White House, state house all of these local municipalities. Let’s come together and make a plan. Walk a mile in their shoes, feel how they feel,” said Lewis.

We reached out to the North Charleston mayor’s office. We are still waiting to hear back.

https://abcnews4.com/news/local/n-charleston-has-highest-eviction-rate-in-the-us-as-federal-eviction-mortarium-ends

July 13, 2021

The Motivate To Educate Organization has been in action! Check out the latest photos and videos below:

June 15, 2021

Count On News 2: Gubernatorial candidate Joe Cunningham unveils plan to curb gun violence

By Katie Augustine

Gun violence is a steadily growing problem in South Carolina. Between May and July 2020, the Medical University of South Carolina reported a 70% increase in violent crimes involving firearms. Now, Gubernatorial candidate, Joe Cunningham, unveiled a plan he believes will drastically decrease gun violence in the state.

“My three-step plan includes closing the ‘Charleston loophole’, expanding background checks, and funding a violence prevention plan at the state level,” explained Cunningham.

Here is a breakdown of what each of these steps would entail:

The Charleston Loophole is a term coined after the Mother Emanuel tragedy. It refers to the flaw in the current background check system that allows someone to purchase a firearm if the FBI doesn’t complete their background check in three days. The ‘loophole’ is how the Charleston church shooter was able to obtain the gun he used to kill nine people in 2015.

Under Cunningham’s plan, the time limit on background checks would be expanded from three days to 10 days. This would allow more leeway to ensure an individual is thoroughly checked out before purchasing a firearm

“Currently, South Carolina does not require background checks on gun purchases at gun shows and private sales which have become the source of many illegal gun purchases,” said Cunningham.

Universal background checks would be implemented under his plan. That means every gun sale in the state would require one.

According to Cunningham, 84% of Americans support universal background checks.lent Prevention Program on the State Level

According to Cunningham, Community Violence Interruption Programs reduce community violence by involving trained individuals from the community to identify people who are most at risk for committing or experiencing violence and provide those individuals with services. These services include mentoring, mediation, and identifying the root causes of violence to address them.

“These programs would identify high-risk victims of violence to prevent recidivism and reduce retaliation,” he said.

A new Charleston non-profit, Motivate to Educate, is also working to bring awareness to the issue through a march this Sunday.

“We just think it’s going to be a great day to talk about what’s happening in our community, the destruction that’s going on because of gun violence,” said Merrill Chapman, a representative of Motivate to Educate.

The ‘Mother’s March for our Sons’ event is Sunday, June 20th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The march will begin on American and Line Streets and end at Marion Square in Downtown Charleston. Everyone is welcome to attend. There will be speakers, including those whose lives have been affected by gun violence, information, and entertainment.

https://www.counton2.com/top-stories/gubernatorial-candidate-joe-cunningham-unveils-plan-to-curb-gun-violence/

March 4, 2021

Post And Courier: Charleston chef and activist bring awareness to issues homeless people face daily

By Fleming Smith

A Charleston chef and a longtime activist have teamed up to try to illustrate, and perhaps remedy, the foremost issues facing the area’s homeless community.

Chef Dwayne Pierce, chief executive officer of Juicy Steaks USA, has been serving meals to homeless people for years. Now, he’s trying to tell their story.

https://www.postandcourier.com/news/charleston-chef-and-activist-bring-awareness-to-issues-homeless-people-face-daily/article_2b2f52b2-7aca-11eb-8f79-83e7c7727c6e.html

April 2, 2018

Quintin’s Close-Ups: Tony Lewis

March 7, 2018

Charleston Chronicle: Motivate to Educate to Use Sporting Activity to Stimulate Learning

Local group Motivate to Educate will take 60 high school seniors, twenty from three high schools, to a basketball game to see the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets play the Cleveland Cavaliers in Charlotte, North Carolina on March 28. These 60 students are being rewarded for their scholastic achievements. They have either attained excellent grades or have demonstrated significant improvement and are considered most improved. The teachers at each school will decide which students should be awarded this rare opportunity. The students will be accompanied by teachers, police officers and members of Motivate to Educate to ensure adequate number of chaperones.

“It is important for us as adults to provide opportunities to stimulate the children in the Title 1 schools to help them succeed,” says Tony Lewis, Founder of Motivate to Educate. By providing this opportunity to attend a professional basketball game the group is hoping it will be an incentive for other students to improve their grades.

https://www.charlestonchronicle.net/2018/03/07/motivate-to-educate-to-use-sporting-activity-to-stimulate-learning/