黑料社入口

The Conway Chapter of the NAACP is mobilizing.

Citing a cross burning in late 2023 in Conway, the repeated failure of the South Carolina legislature to pass a hate crime law, and a dearth of people who are Black in local leadership positions, members are working to revive the local chapter.

鈥淲hen you find these things are still happening, people have to take action,鈥� said Dr. Kenneth Floyd Sr., a longtime community activist who was elected president of the local chapter at a meeting this month.

鈥淲e鈥檙e going to become more active and visible in the community,鈥� said Priscilla Fuller, the chapter treasurer. Other officers include Vice President Cedric Blain Spain and Secretary Teretha Anderson.

The group will begin holding monthly meetings again, on the first Saturday of the month at a location to be determined, as well as holding an annual banquet with prominent speakers. They鈥檒l be establishing a Facebook presence, and building a website. And they鈥檒l attempt to boost membership and participation.

黑料社入口

鈥楢 beacon of hope鈥�: Conway leaders pass hate crimes ordinance

• By Hannah Strong Oskin hannah.oskin@myhorrynews.com

Membership is open to all ages and races.

鈥淲e鈥檙e against injustice against all people, regardless of what their color is,鈥� Fuller said.

They hope to host community meetings to raise concerns and find answers to problems.

Floyd said the Conway chapter was once one of the most active in the state, and the nation, and can reassume that role. Most recently, Floyd spoke from the lectern at a Conway City Council meeting, guarding against the possible loss of low-income housing during redevelopment efforts.

He said it's important to set aside the 鈥済ood old boy system鈥� and promote more people who are Black into leadership positions in Horry County local governments and institutions.

鈥淲e need to get our fair share of the top-paying jobs,鈥� he said.

At the state level, the lack of a hate crime law tops his agenda.

鈥淲e still don鈥檛 have a hate crime bill in the state of South Carolina,鈥� Floyd said in an interview this month at the Cherry Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Conway. South Carolina and Wyoming are the only states without a hate crime law on the books.

鈥淚t鈥檚 better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it,鈥� Floyd said.

While a statewide measure has not yet been enacted after being introduced for nine consecutive years, many municipalities have passed their own versions of the law, including Myrtle Beach and Conway in Horry County.