Empower SC to host panel discussions with top mayoral candidates

April 1, 2021

Empower SC hosts panel discussion on April 7th with Tameika Isaac Devine, Sam Johnson ahead of mayoral election in Columbia

Local advocacy group Empower SC will be hosting a panel discussion featuring the top candidates for mayor of Columbia, Tameika Isaac Devine and Sam Johnson, on April 7th at 7:00pm live on their Facebook and YouTube channels. Candidate and City Councilperson Daniel Rickenmann was invited but has not confirmed. The panel is among the first events candidates Devine and Johnson have done together since they announced their intention to run.

“We are thankful for the opportunity, and are excited to talk with the candidates about their platform and their vision for the capital city,” said Rye Martinez with Empower SC, “Empower SC works regularly to advocate for equity, equality, and diversity in South Carolina.”

Empower SC was founded in June 2020 after the murder of George Floyd and has since been a prominent voice for racial equity in Columbia. Members of Empower SC issued a 10 page list of demands to city, county, and state lawmakers. In late July, Empower SC partnered with EveryBlackGirl and Good Trouble to bring the Harden Food Justice Initiative that fed hundreds of Columbia residents. In the following months, Empower SC has been organizing and speaking with lawmakers to advocate for systemic change.

Viewers can see the mayoral panel free live on Facebook and their YouTube channel on April 7th at 7:00pm. The panel will be moderated by Merrell Johnson, also with Empower SC and questions to the candidates will be submitted by the community. Additional community members can still submit questions to the candidates at https://forms.gle/c7HMXAhL9u2thTG76.

 

Empower SC is a collective of community members, organizers, and activists, dedicated to creating a more equitable South Carolina through community organizing, collaborative partnerships, and systemic policy change.