Drakeford makes history as mayor-elect of Camden
November 21, 2016
First African-American mayor of Camden to be sworn-in this week
Alfred Mae Drakeford made history Nov. 8 when she was elected the first African-American mayor of Camden. She will again make history at her inauguration ceremony to be held at Camden First United Methodist Church, Friday, Nov. 25, at 2:00 p.m.
Winning the mayoral election – in a city with approximately 62-percent white and 34-percent black voters – is not the first time Mayor-elect Drakeford has made political history in the already history-rich Camden, S.C., the oldest inland city in the Palmetto State. In 2004, she was elected to Camden City Council, the first African-American female to hold a seat on the council. She was subsequently reelected in 2008 and 2012.
“Her popularity is not surprising for a public servant who has so-effectively served both our city and county for decades, and who has simultaneously and selflessly reached out to – and garnered the kind of wide appeal she has among – voters,” says Tom Mullikin, principal partner of the Mullikin Law Firm and lifelong friend and supporter of Drakeford. “With Alfred Mae leading this great city, I have no doubt we will move forward as a community in a positive way to ensure tremendous opportunity, safety and progress for all the people of Camden.”
Mullikin, an environmental attorney and global expedition leader who also commands the S.C. State Guard (holding the rank of major general), will administer the oath of office to Drakeford on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
Drakeford – mayor pro tem and now mayor-elect of Camden – brings a wealth of experience to the mayor’s office. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from the University of South Carolina. She retired as manager of quality and training from E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Company, Inc., in Lugoff (where Mullikin’s late-father Charlie Mullikin, a distinguished World War II U.S. Army veteran served as plant manager).
Endorsing Drakeford in the run-up to this month’s election, Mullikin said, “I remember Dad often praising the integrity and intrinsic virtue of one of his employees; Alfred Mae Drakeford. He would often mention her principled nature, intellect and work ethic. He respected her for her devotion to excellence.”
Drakeford was ultimately named chairperson of the board of directors for the Santee Lynches Regional Council of Governments. Among other leadership successes, she was “the catalyst behind the multi-county scholarship program for Central Carolina Community College – ensuring Kershaw County High School Graduates have the opportunity to attend Community College for free,” said Mullikin, adding, “This is an incredible development for our community.”
Drakeford has also been actively involved with Habitat for Humanity. She chaired the board for the United Way and served on the Heritage Community Bank Advisory Board, Kershaw County IMPACT, Kershaw County Housing Partnership, Homeless Housing Committee, as past-president for Camden
Rotary, the Municipal Association of South Carolina board of directors, as well as steering committees for Human Development and Small Cities Council. Drakeford also served on the board of directors for the National Black Caucus for Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO) and as a member of Women in Municipal
Government (WIMG). In 2005 she was named HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR for Kershaw County.
An active lifelong member of St. John Baptist Church, Drakeford has served as Sunday School teacher, trustee, usher, and missionary as well as coordinator of activities for the youth of the church and the broader Camden and Kershaw County community.
Drakeford is married to Ernest Drakeford, Jr. They have one daughter, Kimberly, who is married to Maj. Reginald Mosley (USAF), and a granddaughter, Sydney Elise, who resides in Las Vegas.
