Benedict College's Marching Tiger Band of Distinction Performs on the Today Show and Receives Recognition from the Mayor of New York

The Benedict College Tiger Marching Band of Distinction performed on NBC’s Today Show at 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. on Monday, November 21, 2022, in advance of Benedict’s first appearance in this 96th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

New York Mayor Eric Adams Proclaimed Monday, November 21, 2022, “The Benedict College Marching Tiger Band

of Distinction Day” in New York City

(L-R) President Roslyn Clark Artis, Mayor Eric Adams, Sylvia B. Woods, President of the Northern Region of the Benedict College National Alumni Association, and Doctor Bob Lee, WBLS Radio.

The Hon. Al Taylor, Kenneth Woods, the Hon. Robert Rodriguez, the Hon. Cordell Cleare, Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, the Hon. Inez Dickens, Winston Majette, Sylvia B. Woods and Dr. Bob Lee  Photo Credit: Bill Moore photo

Benedict College Band plays in Harlem

Harlem honored the Benedict College Marching Tiger Band of Distinction in the plaza at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Building.

Alumni returned to Benedict College to celebrate Homecoming and the Tigers' Historic winning streak

A weekend full of reunions and smiles unfolded for the alumni at Benedict College as the Homecoming weekend kicked off with a massive parade down Sumter Street and was followed by a historic win.



"The best part about Homecoming is just coming back and reuniting with friends you went to school with years ago, like I said earlier, I graduated in the class of 1987," said Antionette Langley who attended the parade.

Homecoming Highlights

Mather School Dedication

On Sunday, October 30th, the Mather Hall Alumni Association held a plaque dedication ceremony to commemorate the former Mather School that was located in Beaufort, South Carolina, founded in 1867 by Mrs. Rachel Crane Mather. The plaque is installed on the side of Mather Hall which was funded and built using funds from the sales of the former Mather School facilities. The plaque was officially donated on October 23, 2021. The dedication ceremony was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Benedict College Becomes Only the 7th HBCU to perform at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in its 96-year History

Benedict College is also the first Division II HBCU to ever

perform in the parade

Macy’s Parade staff and Benedict College officials surprised members of the school’s marching band in April with the news that they had been selected from more than 100 applicants nationwide to perform in the 2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

“Energetic, exciting, and entertaining perfectly describes the Benedict College Marching Tiger Band of Distinction and the incredible sound and spirit they deliver at every single performance,” said Wesley Whatley, creative producer of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “Macy’s is so proud to introduce this incredible group to our parade audience on Thanksgiving morning for their big debut!”

“The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a quintessential holiday tradition,” says Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO of Benedict College. “I can think of no better way to showcase the showmanship, talent, and precision of the Benedict College Tiger Band of Distinction than to watch them march down the streets of New York City on Thanksgiving Day!”

Benedict College Receives a $525,000 Grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce as part of the "Build to Scale" Program

Benedict College received $525,000 to help organize, launch, and operate a state-wide investment accelerator program for underrepresented and minority persons who are in the early stages of entrepreneurship in South Carolina.

“Benedict College and the Burroughs School of Business & Entrepreneurship have a long history of economic development in the Midlands,” said, Dr. Tracy Dunn, Dean of the Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business and Entrepreneurship. “This EDA Build to Scale Grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce is significant because it allows us to expand the reach of our work to envelop the state, and more importantly, it includes a pathway for our women and minority early-stage companies in South Carolina to secure capital to grow their businesses.”

Benedict College opens new ServiceNow Tech Center

Benedict College’s new ServiceNow Tech Center, which celebrated its grand opening on November 2, 2022, aims to broaden the scope of today’s tech workforce pipeline. The center, located inside Benedict’s Business Development Center at 2601 Read Street, is part of a $1 million multiyear strategic partnership between Benedict and ServiceNow, a California-based company that aims to equip traditionally underrepresented students with the digital skills needed in today’s workforce.

The BEST of BC Faculty and Staff

Benedict College Campus Minister, Rev. Lillie Burgess has been appointed by her alma mater to be a member of the Initial Seminary Advisory Council of Columbia. The duties of the council members are to help students fulfill their mission and to assist the Church in equipping Great Commission Christians for culturally-relevant ministry among the nations. The Seminary Advisory Council seeks to advance the work of Columbia Biblical Seminary by providing information, guidance, and support as the seminary pursues its mission, vision, and goals.

Members of the Columbia Museum of Art (CMA) were treated to sneak preview of the museum’s new fall exhibitions European Splendors: Highlights from the Kress Collection and The Art of Elizabeth Catlett: from the Collection of Samella Lewis. Professor Wendell Brown, a creative fiber artist, associate professor of art and director of the Henry Ponder Gallery joined Jackie Adams, CMA director of art and learning discussed the extraordinary exhibit. Brown shared with the audience that during his formative years, he worked with both Elizabeth Catlett and Samella Lewis during his time as director of art education at Hampton University.

Pictured above: (L-R) Gary Knight, Dr. Lillie Burgess, Martha Smith Scott, and Jacob Koon

October was observed as National Clergy Appreciation Month it is also known as Pastor Appreciation Month, and Pastor Appreciation Day. October 9th is the day that is celebrated within the month to recognize servants of God.

The month was created to recognize the contributions and services of pastors, priests, reverends, ministers, and all other clergy. Devotees, on Pastor Appreciation Day, come together to express their gratitude to pastors and other staff of the church.

Benedict College is so blessed to have Rev. Dr. Lillie Burgess as the spiritual leader of this college community. She is not only a preacher but a teacher. She is a counselor, friend, and leader in spreading and living the Word.

The BEST of BC Students Lead

Oscar T. Wyatt and Nina Lauren Rutherford were crown Mister and Miss Benedict College 2022- 2023 on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, during a beautiful semi-formal coronation titled, The Royal Legacy - A Night to Remember in the Benjamín E. Mays Arena.

Wyatt is a senior mass communications major from Atlanta, GA. He is the former member of the Benedict football team and was the interim secretary for the Brothers in Unity 2021-22. He served as Benedict College Mister Homecoming 2021-2022 and as a Student Ambassador. In 2020, Wyatt was inducted into the Benedict College School of Honors.

Rutherford is also a senior majoring in mass communications and is minoring in English. She is from Columbia, SC by way of Prince George’s County, MD. She served as Miss Freshman 2019-2020, Miss Sophomore 2020-2021, and Benedict College Royal Assistant 2021-2022.

She is a 2020 inductee of the Benedict College School of Honors, president of the BC Media Club, a New Student Orientation Leader and a member of the Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Check out the Coronation highlight reel below.

Roshonda Rhodes is a social activist with a passion for

igniting social change among her peers

Benedict College junior Rashonda Rhodes will join her peers from across the country for a roundtable discussion with Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House on Friday, October 14, 2022. Vice President Harris wants to hear from students about the impact of the Dobbs decision on their campuses and the attempts to limit voting rights at the state level.

“I am grateful to Vice President Kamala Harris for extending an invitation to one of our many scholars,” said Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO of Benedict College. “Our students are our future leaders, and it is critically important that their voices are heard, and that they know what tangible things they can do to preserve the rights of all Americans.”

Rhodes is a Criminal Justice Administration major with plans to pursue a career in defense law. She specifically wants to focus on death penalty appeals. As a student leader, Rhodes had the opportunity to participate in the HBCU Day signing with Governor Henry McMaster at the South Carolina State House.

“I’m honored to represent Benedict College at the White House this week,” said Rhodes. “I’ve always wanted to take political action on a big scale, and what better way than to physically step foot into the White House and engage VP Harris on the importance of voting, which affects us across the board.”

Rhodes also had the distinct honor of sitting on the bench with the Honorable Judge Jocelyn Newman for the historic death penalty case that ruled firing squads and electric chairs unconstitutional in South Carolina. A social justice activist, Rhodes is an active voter with a deep passion for igniting social change among her peers; she hopes to impact public policy to support equity for all citizens.

A partnership between the City of Columbia and Benedict College is helping prepare students for careers in engineering.



The private college has created an elective course focused on water quality and green infrastructure to teach students how to improve stormwater conditions. Jayla Berry, a May graduate, participated in the program.

The BEST of BC Faculty and Staff

Kudos to the faculty, staff, and students in the Benedict College Environmental Engineering Program. The program is featured in the AEESP (Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors), November 2022 Newsletter.

The two-page story is about Benedict College becoming the first HBCU in South Carolina to offer an Accredited Environmental Engineering Program. Since its inception in 2012, the program has more than doubled its enrollment, indicating a growing demand for the major. The 2022 graduating class boasts a 100% graduation rate.

Congratulations to the faculty, staff, and students in Benedict’s Studio Arts program for receiving membership renewal until 2032.

“This is a major achievement,” said Professor Gina Moore, Chair of the Communications and Arts Department. “Out of 106 HBCUs, ten of those institutions are NASAD accredited. Eight of those ten schools are public institutions and two are private, Benedict College and Howard University. Benedict been accredited with NASAD since 2010.”

The National Association of Schools of Art and Design is composed of schools and individuals representing the highest traditions and aims in the education of the artist and designer. These members have proven, by the fact of their membership and activity in the organization, their deep interest in fostering high standards for art and design education.

Through its annual meetings, NASAD provides a national forum for discussion of the broadest considerations involving the education of the artist and designer. The National Association of Schools of Art and Design has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as the agency responsible for the accreditation throughout the United States of freestanding institutions, and units offering art and design.

Program accreditation ascertains to both students and parents that as an accredited institution, our program provides competent teachers, adequate physical plant and equipment, sound curricula, and successful student learning outcomes. Accreditation also imposes on these institutions the responsibility for continual effort to strengthen art and design education in general. In addition, it provides a basis for public recognition of an institution’s quality.

(L-R) Investigator Wynter Odom, Lieutenant Shae Sherman, Elizabeth Fulford, Victim’s Advocate; President Roslyn Clark Artis, Chief Portee, and Jacqueline Thomas.

The Benedict College Police Department has officially opened its new headquarters at 2330 Laurel Street.

As the police department and its cadet program grew, the officers needed more space than their previous location on Haskell Avenue could provide.

Benedict College Police Chief Kevin Portee says the new building gives the department much-needed work and training space.

“To put it quite simply, this building gives us the opportunity to be the best. The best at being proactive. The best at student engagement and the best for growth,” says Chief Portee.

(L-R) Chief Kelvin Davis, Allen University; Chief William Holbrook, Columbia Police Department; Sheriff Leon Lott, Richland County Sheriff’s Department; Chief Don Robinson, Forrest Acres Police Department, and President Roslyn Clark Artis.

President and CEO of Benedict College, Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis says officers play many roles in students’ lives.

“They are positioning themselves as partners, as colleagues, as friends. And as I said, as mentors to our students. And in so doing, provide a valuable resource and support to the Benedict College community and to the city and county more broadly,” Dr. Artis says.

The department’s new K-9 officer also made his debut today, Officer Rayden, a one-year-old German Shepherd.

In September, Benedict College Sergeant Jeffery Demary traveled to Somerset, Texas to participate in the 4-week K9 training program before bringing the Rayden home to Benedict.

Guests were invited to tour the facility after a ceremonial ribbon cutting, and also got a look at the station’s new Chevrolet Bolt — one of the state’s first electric patrol cars.

The Benedict College Police Department is one of the first police departments in South Carolina to add an electric vehicle, to their fleet. The Chevrolet Bolt is an all-electric car and does not require any petroleum products.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, Columbia Police Chief William Holbrook, and Assistant V.P. for Enrollment Management at Benedict College, Dr. Vareva Harris, also spoke at today’s event.

According to the National Council for Home Safety and Security, Benedict College is one of the safest colleges in America.

Tigers Dominate Tuskegee For First-Ever SIAC

Football Championship

In a historic season of firsts, the Benedict College Tigers reached another milestone with their first-ever SIAC football championship by overwhelming Tuskegee 58-21 on Saturday in Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.

An emotional head coach Chennis Berry, as he always does after the team wins, gave praise to God. "We've come so far in a short period of time," Berry said. "I'm just humbled and grateful that we're here. Now we're able to say we've got the first football championship in the history of Benedict College."

The Tigers, now 11-0 on the season, had a season-high 573 yards of total offense and held Tuskegee to an opponent season-low 41 yards rushing. The Golden Tigers finished with 242 yards of total offense and scored their only two touchdowns on a pair of deep passes – for 75 and 66 yards. The Golden Tigers had 133 yards on those two pass plays, but managed just 109 total yards of offense on 48 combined other plays, and most of those came in the fourth quarter after Benedict had built an insurmountable lead.

Tigers Take On Wingate In Historic First Football Playoff Game

Since day one of the season, the mantra for the Benedict College Tigers has been to go 1-0 each day, each practice, each game. That philosophy takes on bigger meaning when the seventh-ranked and undefeated Tigers take on Wingate University in the second round of the NCAA Division II Football Championship.

"It started back in training camp. The 1-0 won't change. It was always important, but it's very, very important now because if you win, you keep playing. You lose, you go home," said Benedict head football coach Chennis Berry. "It's definitely a 1-0 mindset."

Tigers Crush Clark Atlanta 49-20, Clinch SIAC East Division Title During Homecoming Game

The 15th-ranked Benedict College Tigers celebrated their Homecoming with a dominating 49-20 victory over Clark Atlanta University, clinching the top seed in the SIAC East Division and a berth in the 2022 SIAC Football Championship presented by Cricket.

Deondra Duehart scored four touchdowns, three on runs over 50 yards long, as Benedict built a 35-0 lead. Duehart finished the game with a career-high 252 yards on just 13 carries, giving the near sell-out crowd in Charlie W. Johnson Stadium plenty to cheer about.

Benedict improves to 9-0 on the season, 6-0 in the SIAC. Clark Atlanta falls to 3-6 overall and 2-4 in the SIAC.

"To God be the glory once again," said Benedict head coach Chennis Berry. "We're grateful any time you win a football game. I'm proud of our coaches, I'm proud of our young men and all our support staff. At the end of the day, you always want to play better. But getting a 49-20 win is still very impressive. I'm very, very thankful for that. But at the end of the day, we've got to get better and clean some things up. We did some things really well in all three phases, but we've got some things to clean up to take our program to a whole other level."

TOP 10: Tigers Jump to No. 9 In American Football Coaches Association (AFCA Poll)

Benedict College's historic football season recorded another milestone on Monday, when the Tigers climbed to No. 9 in the American Football Coaches Association poll.

Benedict, ranked 15th last week, climbed six spots and are one of eight remaining undefeated teams in Division II.

"Hallelujah, praise God," said Benedict head coach Chennis Berry. "That's special. We're grateful to be recognized nationally as one of the top teams in the country in Division II. That's thanks to all of the hard work the players and coaches have done. But our focus is on our next opponent, and our next opponent is Allen University. But we're super excited to be able to be ranked in the top 10 in the country."

The poll is voted on by a panel of head coaches from around the country.

"Any time your peers are able to acknowledge the hard work you put in, we're very, very grateful for that," Berry said. "But we're going to keep our eyes on the prize, and to be the best we can be every day. But we're super excited about being ranked in the top 10 in the country." 

The post-season awards continue to roll in for the Benedict College football program, this time for academic success. The Tigers placed five players on the 2022 Division II Academic All-District® Team, as selected by College Sports Communicators.

Ja'ron Kilpatrick and Mitchell Romig were named to the Academic All-District® team for the second year in a row. Joining them this year are Loobert Denelus, Dylan Geese and Ja'Varrius Wilson.

Kilpatrick, a junior defensive back, has a 3.84 GPA as a sport management major. He was named a national semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy, presented by the National Football Foundation, and received the SIAC Elite 14 Award, presented to the student-athlete participating in the conference championship with the highest GPA.

The Benedict Tigers won their SIAC opener with a 64-57 victory over Lane College.

The Tigers placed four players in double figures, with Brandon Beidleman scoring 16 points. Malachi McCoy had a double-double with 14 points and 16 rebounds. Gob Gabriel had 13 points and Brandon Smith added 10 points.

The Tigers broke away from a 14-14 tie by scoring seven straight points and never trailed again. The Dragons cut the lead to 28-24 at the half. Benedict took its biggest lead, 48-32, on a 3-pointer by Gabriel with 13:04 left in the game.

This week's Bible study for the Benedict College football team centered on Esther 4:14: "And who knows, but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"

Saturday, the Benedict College Tigers achieved their royal position as they wrapped up the school's first-ever undefeated regular season with a 54-21 victory over rival Allen University at Westwood High School.

"I'm just so proud of the guys for the hard work and dedication they put in," Benedict head coach Chennis Berry said. "It's not easy being 10-0. We're just grateful the young men bought in to the process, and that's chop wood, carry water and fall in love with the process. It's the journey we fall in love with, not the end goal. And we fell in love with the journey – those early mornings, those late nights, those study halls, going in the weight room. All those things you've got to be able to do in order to put this all together."

The ninth-ranked Tigers jumped out to a 26-7 lead at the half, then scored four touchdowns in the third quarter to build a 54-7 lead to improve to 10-0 overall and 7-0 in the SIAC. Allen, now 1-7 overall and 0-6 in the SIAC, scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns, including a 93-yard punt return.

Lady Tigers Win SIAC Cross Country Championship

The Benedict College women's cross country team won the 2022 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Cricket Championship, claiming the title for the first time since 2014.

The Lady Tigers have finished second in the championship for five of the past six years with a third place finish last year, but were able to take the top spot thanks to placing four runners in the top five.

Benedict won the meet with a score of 26, while Albany State was second with 69 points. Spring Hill, the three-time defending champions, finished third with 72 points.

The Benedict College men's cross country team finished second in the 2022 Cricket Championships on Friday morning at the Georgia Premier Cross Country Course at Middle Georgia State University.

Donald Kibet won the race, covering the 8K course with a time of 24:50.38, more than one minute ahead of the second-place finisher, Brian Kemei of Morehouse College.

Morehouse claimed the 2022 conference championship, ending Benedict's two-year reign as conference champions.

The Benedict College women's basketball team, the two-time defending Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champions, have been picked to finish in first place in the SIAC East Division race, it was announced Wednesday by the league office.

The 2022-23 preseason All-Conference team, preseason player superlatives and preseason projected order of finish were announced in conjunction with the SIAC women's basketball virtual media day.

The preseason honors and predicted order of finish are voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

Benedict College junior guard Brandon Beidleman has been named the 2022-23 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, while the Tigers were picked to finish second in the SIAC East Division, announced Thursday by the league office.

Beildleman returns to the Benedict Tigers for his third season. He collected 35 steals and averaged 2.3 rebounds per game to lead Benedict to a 22-7 overall record (14-3 SIAC record) last season and a berth in the 2022 SIAC Championship game. The Charlotte, N.C. native also averaged 4.0 points per game shooting 84.2 percent from the free-throw line. Beildleman was also named to the SIAC Preseason All-Conference second team.

The preseason honors and predicted order of finish are voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

The Benedict College Lady Tigers wrapped up the regular season with a 3-0 victory over rival Allen University on Thursday night in the Benjamin E. Mays HRC Arena.

Benedict swept the Lady Yellow Jackets 25-17, 25-16, 25-13 to improve to 14-12 overall and 7-11 in the SIAC. Allen falls to 13-16 overall and 6-12 in the SIAC.

Kaiah Green led the Lady Tigers with nine kills and 4.5 blocks. Aliyah Jones added eight kills and had a season-high and team-high 11 digs. Jade Hollins had 14 assists.

Benedict scored seven of the final eight points to capture the first set. Benedict closed out the second set with a 10-1 run. Benedict scored the final six points in the third set to clinch the match.

Running back Emanuel Wilson of Fort Valley State headlines the 2022 All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Football All-Conference team earning this year's Overall Player of the Year (MVP) and Offensive Player of the Year awards. The team, which features 52 total student-athletes covering twelve positions, was voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

Benedict's defensive lineman Loobert Denelus was named Defensive Player of the Year alongside Fort Valley State's quarterback, Kelvin Durham, who earned the Freshman of the Year and Newcomer of the Year awards.

Chennis Berry of Benedict was selected as the 2022 SIAC Coach of the Year.

Pictured below: 2022 Football Elite 14 Award winner, Ja’Ron Kilpatrick. Highest GPA of players in the championship game.

Alumni Spotlight

Thanks to the unprecedented support from Benedict alumni and friends from across the country, the Annual Alumni Fund Campaign surpassed its record-setting $1.5 million goal by $40,690. This year’s success is due to an extraordinary Campaign Leadership team led by the College’s Assistant Vice President, Ada Brown Belton. The leadership team consists of members from around the nation. “This year’s team consists of Chairwoman Dr. Elsie Hamler, co-chairs Marlene McClerklin and Teshine Good, and 10 additional dedicated committee members. The team also included Mrs. Cedelle Gates, president of The Benedict College National Alumni Association, and finally, our Alumni Club Presidents who are the true MVPs and the BESTofBC.

Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Inc. presented a check to President Roslyn Clark Artis in the amount of 25,000 during the Homecoming Half-Time Show this year. Last year, the Grooves gave $75,000 to establish the Benedict College Groove Phi Groove Endowment for the Kenith D. Belton Scholars. This gift brings the total endowment up to $100,000. Groove Phi Groove challenges all Greek organizations to contribute to the Benedict College Endowment Fund.

The Benedict Athletic Hall of Fame inducted six new members on Thursday, October 27, adding to an already impressive group of Hall of Famers.

This year's class includes a pair of track & field All-Americans; a pair of baseball players who went on to military and civic success; a winning basketball coach; and a football standout.

The event was held at the Doubletree by Hilton ballroom, and a large number of previous Hall of Famers attended to welcome the new class.

The nine new inductees bring the total number of members in the Benedict College Athletic Hall of Fame to 221.

Living Word's New Location and Dedication Service

Pictured above: L-R: Elder Tilman, Rev. Dr. McCallum, and Bishop David E. Tompkins, Sr. at the Ribbon-Cutting of the new location for Living Word Church

A local church pastor and business owner continues to invest in North Columbia and work to change lives in the community. On Saturday, October 2, 2022, Bishop Dr. David E. Tompkins, Sr. and his congregation at the Living Word of Deliverance Temple Worship Center officially moved to 1323 Winyah Drive just off Interstate 20 and Monticello Road during their “New Location and Dedication Service.” 

Living Word of Deliverance Temple Worship Center (Living Word) was founded in Charlotte, North Carolina, in April of 1999. In 2012, Bishop Tompkins relocated to Columbia, South Carolina, and began working alongside his brother, the late Willie A. Tompkins, at Bostick-Tompkins’ Funeral Home. As the manager, Tompkins began overseeing the daily operations in their Columbia location (2930 Colonial Drive) and later extended the business into Sumter (353 Manning Avenue). When he moved back to Columbia in 2012, Bishop Tompkins planted his ministry in the heart of downtown Columbia at 1823 Gregg Street. Still, in 2018, just six years after relocating to the Midlands, Living Word outgrew its Gregg Street home, and the church moved to a larger facility at 1722-F Broad River Road. 

Bishop Tompkins states, “At Living Word, we acknowledge that if we are to be His hands, we must first possess His heart. We make ourselves available to receive everyone God allows to come our way, and we are committed to showing people the same love Jesus first showed us,” says Tompkins. Tompkins believes that this ‘open door' policy and simplicity of acceptance appealed to the growing transient population along Broad River Road. “I believe we were able to make a positive impact where we were, but we had some growing pains in terms of parking and space. And then, God presented us with an awesome opportunity to purchase a church and surrounding property in North Columbia,” adds Tompkins. Less than six months ago, Bishop Tompkins and the Living Word congregation purchased the former Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, built in 1947. Located in the Denny Terrace neighborhood off of Monticello Road, the church is in an often-overlooked area between I-20 and Columbia International University.

A South Carolina filmmaker spoke to Benedict College students about bringing reform to the Palmetto State’s prisons after a deadly riot at Lee Correctional Institution in 2018.

Officials refer to the 2018 riots at Lee Correctional as the worst the nation has seen in at least 25 years. Jaquial Durham’s documentary, ‘Southern Prison Culture’, sheds a light on seven inmates killed, and at least 18 injured, stabbed and beaten, in a riot that lasted more than seven hours at the prison.

“What fueled the passion for this documentary was having numerous conversations about the Lee Correctional riot,” said Durham. “Having conversations with someone like my father, who was incarcerated at Lee at multiple periods of his incarceration.”

The gruesome aftermath is one Durham says caused his family anguish, calling for changes inside prison walls.