Removing our Blinders: Confessions of a Small Town Mayor with Bill Barnet
I am approaching my 79th year. I iwas raised in upstate New York and moved to Spartanburg 45 years ago. I was in business for many years and then served as mayor for eight years
The city of Spartanburg was, and is, half white and half African American. The last ten years I have been part of a team trying to re-envision a low wealth neighborhood with poor infrastructure, high crime and scant opportunity for upward mobility. That is my story.
I hope to share with you lessons learned...in private and public life. To explore with you, in a conversation, the realities of our society in 2021, and the real challenges this society presents for so many of our citizens, particularly those of color.
The lack of opportunity and restrictions on upward mobility brought about by racial inequities will not benefit any of our children. The answer lies in education, but it must be accompanied by a comprehensive, multi-generational effort.
This is my goal for our hour together.I look forward to joining you.
Bill Barnet
Please take a few minutes to read this impactful article by Dr Russell Booker before this session.
Sponsored by:
Attendees (21)
Ashley Whitt
Senior Program Officer
Spartanburg County Foundation
Beth De Santis
CEO
Fact Forward
Carol Reeves
Executive Director
Just Say Something
Darlene Paradise
Director of Development
Dickerson Children's Advocacy Center
Diane Smock
Community volunteer (former elected official)
Community volunteer
Holly Raines
Volunteer and Development VISTA
St. Luke's Free Medical Clinic
Judy Wilson
Director of Development
Greenville Tech Foundation, Inc.
Kaky Grant - 1
Principal
Grant Philanthropic Advisors
Keisha Gray
Program Director, Early Childhood Development
Mary Black Foundation
Kim Atchley
Director of Communications
Spartanburg Academic Movement
Leslie Stroud-Romero - 1
Independent Grant Writer
Leslie Stroud-Romero
Maya Pack
Co-Director
South Carolina Institute of Medicine & Public Health
Megan Reilly
Development Director
Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services
Michael Brown
Executive Director
Sustaining Way
Paige Stephenson
President & CEO
United Way of the Piedmont
Quinn Hayes
Midlands Branch Development Specialist
Harvest Hope Food Bank
Richard Puffer
Executive Director
The Byerly Foundation
Susie Shannon
CEO
South Carolina Council on Competitiveness
