@Claflin: @Claflin: Claflin at Congressional Black Caucus and U.S. Capitol and more

September 30, 2022

The World Needs Visionaries

American Red Cross of South Carolina Announces Two Students Selected for Inaugural HBCU Ambassador Program

Students from South Carolina HBCUs, Claflin University and Denmark Technical College, were honored for their selection by the American Red Cross for the inaugural HBCU Ambassador Program at a presentation in Columbia, SC on September 28, 2022.

The American Red Cross of South Carolina is pleased to announce two students from South Carolina Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been selected to participate in the two-year cohort of the inaugural American Red Cross HBCU Ambassador program. Dwight Priest Jr., a junior at Claflin University studying psychology, and Jauron Pruitt, a sophomore and President of the Student Government Association at Denmark Technical College, have been selected for the prestigious Ambassadorship.

"We're incredibly proud to have two students representing South Carolina in this program and helping us to build and maintain a diverse blood supply," said Shonette Sneed, Regional Donor Services Executive for the American Red Cross of South Carolina. "These bright, young leaders are advancing a life-saving mission and will significantly impact their communities."

The national program is part of the American Red Cross Sickle Cell Initiative, which aims to raise awareness of the inherited blood disorder impacting an estimated 100,000 Americans – the majority of whom are of African descent – and increase donations from blood donors who are Black. Blood donations from individuals of the same race or similar ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients experiencing a sickle cell crisis.

Sickle cell disease is an enduring – and often invisible – health disparity in the U.S. Despite the discovery of the disease more than a century ago, there have been fewer health resources available to help those currently who have sickle cell disease in comparison to similar diseases. That's why the Red Cross sickle cell initiative seeks to raise awareness about this health disparity and increase blood donations from individuals who are Black through community partnerships, such as with HBCUs, which will help ensure blood products are available for patients with sickle cell disease.

"To be nominated for this program is a blessing to me. I didn't know much about sickle cell before participating in the academy, and I learned why we need to help collect as much blood as we can," said Priest Jr. about his experience in the Leadership and Advocacy Academy. "I learned that the Red Cross is really about giving back. When I'm older and starting my career, I want to keep in contact with the people I've met at the Red Cross."

HBCU Ambassadors will receive a $6,000 scholarship award and participate in a two-week Leadership and Advocacy Academy with American Red Cross Biomedical Services leadership. Additionally, student participants demonstrate their leadership skills by organizing blood drives and educating fellow students and their local communities on blood donation and sickle cell disease.

"Claflin University looks forward to participating in the American Red Cross of South Carolina's Sickle Cell Initiative and the HBCU Ambassador Program," said Claflin President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack. "Our support of this program aligns with the Elevation and Transformation we are experiencing at Claflin. The program is consistent with a fundamental goal of our RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing and our new Master of Science in Nursing programs to improve the quality of health care in South Carolina. We are also very elated that one of Claflin's visionary scholars will have a prominent role in this initiative as an inaugural American Red Cross HBCU Ambassador."

The American Red Cross HBCU Ambassador program is a collegiate leadership and advocacy training program that identifies student leaders to serve as blood program leaders for the HBCU campuses. Participating students will receive a stipend, sales and leadership training, access to potential American Red Cross career opportunities and mentors, and the opportunity to educate their community on the need for diverse blood donors. Twenty-five students were selected for the inaugural cohort in 2022.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on Twitter at @RedCross.

Claflin University's Bridges to Education (CUBE) Students Visit Capitol Hill

Claflin Concert Choir Performs for Congressional Black Caucus and at the U.S. Capitol

On Thursday, September 29, the Claflin University Concert Choir, under the direction of Dr. Charlie J. Toomer, performed at a Gospel Extravaganza sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. Earlier that day, the choir also shared their musical talent in the U.S. Capitol in the Office of Majority Whip James Clyburn. Click here to watch the Facebook video (courtesy of Congressman James Clyburn).

PantherCam - Select Equity Visits Claflin University

Claflin University administrators recently welcomed guests from Select Equity. Among the visitors was Claflin University Trustee Mr. George Loening (center), chairman, portfolio manager, analyst and principal of Select Equity. The Firm manages approximately $40 billion in assets across long-only and long/short equity strategies that invest in high-quality companies across geographies and market capitalizations. Their global client base includes endowments, foundations, public and corporate pensions, private banks, family offices and high-net-worth individuals.

Claflin University will host the 2022 UNCF Ecumenical Day of Prayer on Saturday, October 22, at 9 a.m. This virtual event (to be aired on Claflin's Facebook and YouTube pages) is a fundraiser to support scholarships for Claflin University students. The program will include musical performances by Claflin University students and Minister Rosemary Griffin and Friends.

During the program, various ministers will also offer prayers for various aspects of our lives. Featured ministers include Rev. Pattie Gordon, The Johns Island Parish (Johns Island, S.C.); Rev. Joey McDonald, United Methodist Church District Superintendent (Walterboro, S.C.); Rev. Charcey N. Priester Sr., St. Paul Baptist Church (Orangeburg, S.C.); Pastor James L. Rowson Jr., Kingdom Life Ministries (Orangeburg, S.C.); and Minister Keon Stephens, Hunters Chapel Baptist Church (Ruffin, S.C.).

To sponsor, please visit https://alumni.claflin.edu/UNCFPrayer

Sponsor levels:

Trailblazers Level - $500
Visionary Leaders Level - $300
Ambassador Level - $100
Cupbearers Level - $99 and below

You may send your gift:

Check (made payable to Claflin University)
https://alumni.claflin.edu/UNCFPrayer
Givelify.com (https://giv.li/4zmgf3)

For more information, please call (803) 535-5312 or email [email protected].

Alumni News

Julia Richardson Wright, '67, has released her book titled Jewels From the Heart. According to Wright, the book expresses profound and beautiful aspects of God and life. The book contains witty proverbs and gives an unending level of introspection and enlightenment. Wright is a retired educator from the Berkeley County (S.C.) school system. For 29 years, she served as a volunteer at the Hospice of Charleston. She was married to the late Harry L. Wright. She has five adult children, seven grandchildren and three great grand children. Click here to order the book from Amazon.

Congratulations to Phileca J. Wright, '99, who was honored by the State of South Carolina for her dedicated services of 20 years with the Department of Social Services.