Columbia Housing Authority to host 31st Annual Wall of Fame Ceremony  

The Columbia Housing Authority (CHA) will host the 31st Annual Wall of Fame Ceremony Friday, April 6 at 11 a.m. in the Drew Wellness Center gym, located at 2101 Walker Solomon Way. Dr. Michelle Myers, Ms. Patricia Prescott and LTC Retired Mr. Michael P. Williams will be recognized for their outstanding achievements in their lives through community service and their careers after once receiving housing assistance.

The Honorable E.W. Cromartie, II will be receiving the CHA Board of Commissioners Distinguished Service Award.  There will be a keynote address by Dr. Baron Davis, Superintendent of Richland School District Two, who is also on the CHA Wall of Fame.

“We are honored to have these individuals inducted into our wall of fame,” said Gilbert Walker, Executive Director of the CHA. “These Honorees are an example of how you can achieve success under any circumstances and I believe that is important for the youth of today to see.”

Dr. Michelle Myer was a resident of Gonzales Gardens from 1961 to 1964.  She is a graduate of Irmo High School and received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas Women’s University in 1985.  Myer went on to receive her Master of Science degree in Child Health Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington.   She earned her Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree focused on Public Health Leadership in 2012 from the University of South Carolina.  Dr. Myer is a nationally-certified pediatric nurse practitioner.  She has worked for nearly 33 years Public Health Nursing, 27 years as a pediatric nurse practitioner and 23 years as a state-level nurse consultant.  She has held front-line and leadership positions in city, regional and state health department programs and have worked on the front line in county health departments.  Dr. Myer’s expertise includes planning, developing, and assessing programs and outreach activities aimed at improving the health of populations and individuals.  She currently serves as Principal Investigator of South Carolina DHEC’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, having worked in the childhood lead programs in South Carolina and North Carolina.  She is passionate about applying epidemiology, evidence-based medicine, a broad understanding of pediatrics, and lived experience with building trades and subsidized housing to help further the goals of environmental justice.  She has been inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.  In 2009, she received the Public Health Nursing Award from the South Carolina Public Health Association, and the Fiquet-Holley Award for excellence in Public Health Nursing from the Southern Health Association.

Ms. Patricia Prescott was a resident of Saxon Homes from 1960 to 1970.  She is a graduate of A.C. Flora High School.  She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities and Social Science from the University of South Carolina, Columbia.  She went on to earn her Masters of Education from City College in New York, N.Y.  Ms. Prescott is a Retired Elementary School Teacher. In retirement, Ms. Prescott remained committed to promoting education in the community.  She saw a need to begin her own tutorial program after asking parents to complete a short survey regarding their children’s academic performance.  Based on the survey results, Ms. Prescott immediately began devoting her time and resources to continue doing what she loved; educating our futures. She spent the summer months tutoring students who needed additional assistance in the areas of reading and math.  She collected unused and outdated materials from surrounding schools to supplement her teaching. To better serve children in the neighborhood, she held tutoring sessions in her Mother’s car garage.  Ms. Prescott’s teaching was not limited to academics.  She engaged her students in community service projects.  She guided the children in preparing care packets for soldiers, and raising money for non-profit agencies and programs; teaching them the importance of helping others.  Patricia Prescott is not only an advocate for youth and education.  She is a strong supporter and champion for Domestic Violence Victim and Cancer Survivors and Victims.  She has demonstrated outstanding leadership, dedication and compassion through her work in the community.

LTC Retired Mr. Michael P. Williams was a resident of Saxon Homes from 1958 to 1963.  Educated through the Richland County School System, he is a graduate of Eau Claire High School.  He received academic and athletic scholarships to Francis Marion College and Benedict College.  Williams left college to join the military as an enlisted soldier for several years before attending Officer Candidate School.  He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration while he was on active duty.  LTC Williams has had seven overseas deployments; Multinational Force and Observers, Grenada, Iraq, Afghanistan (2), and Kuwait (2).  His awards and recognitions are numerous.  He received the Joint Service Commendation Medal; the Bronze Star; the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Seven of top ten awards in US Army inventory to include: the Legion of Merit (highest award); the Army Commendation Award (5 times); 3rd Place Overall (1st for US) finish in Multi-forces Skills Competition in Sinai Desert (16 countries and 6 US teams were represented).  His commitment and dedication to military service did not end with his retirement.  Williams works in the public school system as a JROTC Instructor at Eastern Randolph High School.  In 2017, he procured over $500,000 in scholarships for his cadets to attend college.  He has always enjoyed working with youth.  He volunteered time to coach soccer and basketball at Fort Jackson Dependent Youth Activities; boys and girls track teams and drill team commander for the JROTC competition drill team.   He has excelled in all areas of his life and maintains high expectations for all youth.

The Honorable E.W. Cromartie, II was elected the first African American Columbia City Councilman since Reconstruction.  He was elected Councilman for six consecutive four year terms.  During his terms, he initiated and assisted in raising 8.5 million dollars for the Charles R. Drew Wellness Center project.  The Wellness Center was designed to create an environment that would support positive health practices and offer opportunities for individuals to optimize their health.  The funds raised afforded the families and children residing in Columbia Housing Authority homes to use the services offered by the Wellness Center located conveniently in their community.  Mr. Cromartie also generated the funds necessary to make available a viable place in the community where CHA residents could purchase food of good nutritional value.  The Sav-A-Lot Project, conveniently located in the heart of the neighborhood, provided that option.  He initiated the Work Initiative Program which offered many CHA residents the opportunity to expand their carpentry and brick masonry skills and receive payment to learn enhanced skills.  He organized the Read Street Task Force and the “Total Partnership with the Community for Good Government” which focused on the revitalization of the Read Street and C.A. Johnson High School area.  Mr. Cromartie’s pioneering spirit and willingness to serve others, coupled with an impressive background leaves no wonder that he would receive the CHA Board of Commissioners highest recognition for his lifetime of community service.

CHA is the largest housing authority in South Carolina and is recognized as one of the best housing authorities in the nation.  CHA manages about 2,000 conventional public housing units and administers almost 4,000 rental assistance contracts throughout Richland County.  CHA is continuously recognized by HUD for its successful housing, education, and resident programs. You can also connect with CHA on social media and follow the CHA’s Twitter (@ColaHousingAuth)  and Instagram page (@ColumbiaHousingAuth) For more information visit our website www.chasc.org