Cindi Drakeford

Senior Director of Finance

Mentorship is 🔑

Inspired by his own journey as a student – where a little outside guidance made all the difference – Jay Byrd's goal is simple: to ease students' paths by offering practical tips and support to help them overcome roadblocks. Over the years, he has mentored CIS students at R.B. Stall High School and North Charleston High School, including Ky'mon (pictured). 

Jay believes in illuminating the "big picture" for his mentees – reminding them that academics, sports, jobs, and relationships all shape their future. In today's complex world, where students are exposed to much more than he was growing up, his mentorship offers a fresh perspective on using new technology, honing grassroots networking skills, and exploring diverse career paths. Drawing on his role as Regional Director of External Affairs for AT&T, he leverages his industry expertise to offer invaluable insights.

Jay's support isn't about changing who his mentees are; it's about empowering them with the tools and insights to make their journey easier and more successful.

Thank you to Jay and all of the mentors across the state who are showing up for students! Being present matters. Start your mentoring journey today ➡️ cisofsc.org/volunteer

Math + Family Fun = A Winning Equation

Student success starts with strong family engagement! That’s why we’re so grateful for Family Advisory Board member Diana Hidalgo, who recently led a hands-on math activity table at Alexander Elementary's "I Love Learning" Family Night!

Diana’s goal? To equip parents with simple, effective strategies to support math learning at home. Many parents want to help but may feel unsure about new teaching methods. That’s why these activities were designed to be fun, engaging, and easily replicated using everyday household items. Her activities included:

➗ Fraction Fun – Students used dried beans and measuring cups to explore fractions and compare different scoop sizes.

🃏 Math Facts Fun – A simple deck of cards turned into a fast-paced game for practicing addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

📏 Measurement Mania – Pretzels became math tools as students measured their snacks, took a bite, and measured again!



With family engagement at the heart of our work, events like these empower parents and caregivers to support learning beyond the classroom. A huge thank you to Diana for her leadership, to all the families who joined in on the fun, and to Alexander Site Coordinator Josie Moore for making it all happen!

We're Hiring!

We're looking for two dedicated Site Coordinators to join our team at:

📍 Cross High School

📍 North District Middle School

As a Site Coordinator, you'll work directly in schools to remove barriers, build relationships, and connect students to the support they need to stay in school and achieve their goals. If you're passionate about empowering students and creating meaningful change in your community, we want to hear from you!



➡️ Learn more and apply here!

Spotlighting Tonnya Grant, Lead Site Coordinator at Hampton County High School!

Now in her third year with CIS, Tonnya is passionate about empowering students to navigate life's challenges. With a strong background in social services, education, and career counseling, she is committed to ensuring that every student she works with knows they matter and has the support they need to meet their goals.

Tonnya holds an Associate Degree in Science and a BA in Sociology from the University of South Carolina Aiken. She is also a Certified Career Specialist and Certified Caregiver, equipping her with the skills to guide students toward success. Before joining CISSC, she spent 18 years with the South Carolina Department of Social Services and seven years as a MAPPS Counselor in the Jasper County School District, focusing on pregnancy prevention and youth empowerment.

Tonnya's dedication to student success is evident in everything she does, from providing mentorship to connecting students with valuable resources. She leads with patience and perseverance, embracing her favorite mantra: "Be patient because change doesn't come at your pace."

We're so grateful for Tonnya's impact on students, families, and the Hampton community!

Learn more about Cindi Drakeford, our new Senior Director of Finance!

With over a decade of experience in accounting and finance, Cindi brings a strong background in nonprofit financial management and a deep passion for supporting students.

Cindi earned her bachelor's degree from Virginia Tech University and her MBA with a concentration in accounting from the University of South Carolina Aiken. Before joining CISSC, she worked with organizations like the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington and the South Carolina High School League, gaining firsthand experience in how financial stewardship directly impacts student success.

Her journey also includes time as a middle and high school educator, giving her a unique perspective on students' challenges in and out of the classroom. "I understand the vital role organizations like CIS play in children's success. I hope I can contribute to this success by providing oversight of the finances necessary to fund program services for our schools and children," Cindi shared.

When she's not crunching numbers, Cindi enjoys gardening, landscaping, and spending time with her family. She's been married for 31 years, has three sons, and loves her new role as a grandmother to a one-year-old grandson!

Please join us in welcoming Cindi to the team!

At Enterprise Mobility, community isn't a buzzword – it's a core value. Their dedicated team members are deeply rooted in the neighborhoods they serve, actively supporting a wide range of causes that uplift education, health, the environment, and beyond.

"We are proud to support Communities In Schools of South Carolina through volunteer efforts and grants from the Enterprise Mobility Foundation. At Enterprise Mobility, we are passionate about strengthening our local communities, which is why we are honored to support the organization's mission to surround students with a community of support and empower them to stay in school," shared Dave Solano, Enterprise Mobility Vice President and General Manager in South Carolina.

The Enterprise Mobility Foundation has contributed over half a billion dollars to local nonprofits nationwide – from global philanthropic initiatives to community-focused projects.

We're incredibly grateful for our partnership with Enterprise Mobility. Partnerships like these light the way forward. Together, we're building stronger communities – one neighborhood and one student at a time.