The City of Columbia Community Development receives the John Sasso Award at the National Community Development Conference

The City of Columbia Community Development was recognized and received the John Sasso Award at the National Community Development Conference in Cambridge, MA. This acknowledgment reflects the department’s exceptional efforts in promoting and commemorating the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program during National Community Development Week on April 1st to 5th, 2024.

The week-long celebration, which now includes the HOME program and involves the participation of various national organizations, provides a significant opportunity for grantees, sub-recipients, beneficiaries, local partners, and the community to come together and showcase different projects. It also allows the Community Development Department to educate the community about the need and significance of these programs.

David Bachrach, Treasurer of NCDA Board of Directors, Vickie Watson, Executive Director of NCDA. Dollie Herron, Community Development Admin. for City of Columbia, Felicia Kilgore, Community Development Director for City of Columbia, Charmaine Clark, Program Manager for City of Columbia, Delores Shabazz, Program Manager for City of Columbia, Angela Rahman, NCDA Board of Director Member, Marcy Esbjerg, President of NCDA Board of Directors, Sharletta Best, Former President, NCDA Board of Directors

The activities initiated by the City included:

1. Presentation of National Community Development Week Proclamation at City of Columbia Council meeting on Tuesday, March 19th, 2024
2. Press Conference on April 1st to kick off National Community Development Week at Hyatt Park
3. Day of Service on April 2nd: Collaborative efforts with Richland County Community Development and Columbia International University involved volunteerism at Riverfront Park, where the team weeded, planted flowers, and made benches
4. CDBG 50th Celebration on April 4th: A celebration of the 50th anniversary of the CDBG program and the Columbia Council of Neighborhoods Banquet, featuring keynote speakers Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for HUD Demetria McCain, former Mayor Bob Coble, current Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, and Councilwoman Tina Herbert.