Summerville Mayor’s Committee Luncheon honors scholars and celebrates community empowerment

The Summerville Mayor’s Committee held its annual luncheon, bringing together local leaders, educators, students, and community advocates to celebrate resilience, inclusion, and the transformative power of community support. The Committee, which focuses on advancing opportunities and awareness for people with disabilities, used this special occasion to honor the next generation of college-bound students.

This year’s luncheon was not only a celebration of student achievement but also a reflection on the progress made through collaboration, mentorship, and advocacy. The Committee awarded multiple scholarships to deserving local students preparing to begin their college journeys. These scholarships, awarded annually, are intended to support students with disabilities or those who have overcome adversity and demonstrated strong potential for future leadership.

One of the event’s highlights was the awarding of multiple scholarships to graduating high school students as well as college students pursuing their education to continue this fall. These scholarships not only ease the financial burden of higher education, but also affirm the Committee’s belief in each recipient’s potential to thrive and lead. Among previous scholarship recipients are young adults now studying or working across a range of professional fields, demonstrating how targeted support can open doors and shift lifelong trajectories.

This year’s keynote speaker, and recipient of this year’s Employment Achievement Award, was 25-year-old Joshua Shumak—a young leader whose life journey embodies the spirit of perseverance and purpose. Diagnosed with both physical and mental disabilities, Shumak shared how the support of teachers and community members helped shape his path. One of the most influential figures in his early school life was John Colbert—an educator and brother to comedian and television host Stephen Colbert—who recognized Shumak’s potential and mentored him through his middle school career. Under Colbert’s guidance, Shumak was eventually named “Turnaround Student of the Year,” a recognition that helped him see new possibilities for his future.

Shumak says that with a foundation of family, teachers, and mentors he went on to graduate from Goose Creek High within the top 25 of his class and earn a Bachelor in Business Administration from the College of Charleston, followed by a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina. Today, he serves in two significant public roles: as the Vice Chief of the Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians and as the Native American Affairs Program Coordinator for the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs. In these roles, he advocates for Indigenous visibility, community development, and equitable policy.

In his keynote, Shumak emphasized the importance of finding your passion and building a network where you can thrive. He spoke about overcoming personal and institutional challenges, underscoring how setbacks can become sources of strength. He reminded the audience that success isn’t linear, and that mentorship, representation, and support systems are vital to lifting up marginalized voices.

Shumak’s work has taken him far beyond the borders of South Carolina. He has consulted with tribes and state governments in Georgia and Minnesota and was invited to speak at the United Nations in 2024 on Native American affairs. Earlier this year, he also delivered a TED Talk on the history of his tribe—an experience he described as surreal and deeply meaningful, one of which years before he could never imagine himself doing.

Over the course of these past 2 years, Shumak has received numerous awards for his contributions to civic leadership, Native advocacy, and youth empowerment, including:

• 2024 Shining Star Award – South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs
  Awarded to individuals demonstrating exemplary commitment to uplifting and advancing the interests of minority communities in South Carolina.
• 2024 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award – National Association of Secretaries of State
  Recognizes young leaders who embody the spirit of Congressman John Lewis through civic engagement, advocacy, and service.
• 2025 Community Leader of the Year (a Governor’s award) – South Carolina Commission on National and Community Service
  Celebrates outstanding leadership and impact in volunteerism and community development across the state.
• 2025 Sally Carter Legacy Award – 7th Generation
  Presented to individuals preserving Indigenous traditions and promoting intergenerational empowerment as well as fostering relationships between tribes, states, and federal partners.
• 2025 Finalist – WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Youth Award (Sweden)
  An international honor for youth leaders creating innovative, sustainable solutions to global challenges.
• 2025 National Emerging Professional Award – Native American Fish & Wildlife Society
  Honors rising professionals who advance environmental stewardship and Indigenous ecological knowledge.

In addition to his work with tribal communities, Shumak also collaborates with organizations like Just Bee, a disability and neurodivergence advocacy group. Just Bee recently celebrated the passage of Rio’s Bill (H.4956 and H.5024), now law in South Carolina, which enables residents with autism or neurodivergent diagnoses to apply for a specialty license plate. The plate alerts first responders that someone inside the vehicle may require special communication or care—an effort that Shumak called “a major win for public safety and human dignity.”

As his address came to a close, Shumak’s message remained clear and uplifting: Your circumstances do not define your future. With compassion, connection, and commitment, anything is possible.

As the luncheon came to a close, attendees were reminded of the power of community. Whether it is a teacher planting seeds of hope, a mentor offering steady encouragement, or a scholarship giving a student the chance to pursue college, moments like these demonstrate the impact of collective investment in one another. The Summerville Mayor’s Committee continues to lead with compassion, fostering a future where inclusivity, dignity, and opportunity are shared values for all.