Emerge South Carolina completes its fifth training cohort

Thirty women completed the Emerge South Carolina Signature training this weekend. In its third year, this is the fifth training cohort to graduate from an Emerge South Carolina training program. The class was made up of women from ten counties: Bamberg, Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester, Greenville, Laurens, Marion, Orangeburg, and Richland.

“Our 30 alumnae will join an amazing network of Emerge alumnae not only in South Carolina but across the nation,” said Melissa Watson Ward, Emerge South Carolina Executive Director. “We now have 116 Emerge South Carolina alumnae across the state who are trained and ready to run for public office.”

Emerge South Carolina’s training program offers Democratic women who want to run for public office a unique opportunity. Women who are accepted receive 70 hours of in-depth education over six months that inspires them to run for office and gives them the tools to win. The program’s trainers are comprised of an elite team of campaign consultants, advisors and staff from all over the country, who have been involved in some of the most successful campaigns and initiatives seen in recent election cycles. Participants learn from these experts and develop practical knowledge in areas such as public speaking, fundraising, campaign strategy, voter contact, media and messaging and others. Candidates also meet an array of dynamic women who hold elected and appointed office and become a part of a supportive network, which includes a national association of Emerge alumnae, the Emerge board and advisory council members.

Emerge South Carolina is intentional about recruiting women who are reflective of the constituencies they serve. The Class of 2021 is one of our most diverse – more than 80% of the class represents the New American Majority – Black, Brown, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, young and unmarried women. The class also represents 18 towns and cities across the state and includes women from a diverse set of professional backgrounds, including educators, business owners, veterans, law enforcement, and social workers They are activists and experts on the most important issues of our day, from gun violence to immigration, and they are moms who are currently doubling as homeschool teachers, caregivers, and women who we proudly call “Dr.”.

“Emerge South Carolina has been an incredibly rewarding experience, not only in terms of providing me with the foundation and confidence to run a strong campaign, but also by building a sisterhood of fearless women across the state who will stand alongside each other” said Dr. Aditi Srivastav Bussells, Class of 2021 and candidate for City of Columbia Council At-Large.

The Emerge South Carolina Class of 2021 includes:

Jeannette “Jeni” Atchley, Ladson

Deanna Miller Berry, Denmark

Latoya Brooks-Key, Blythewood

Aditi Srivastav Bussells, Columbia

Y’Londa Byrd, Columbia

Rebecca Cingolani, Mount Pleasant

Kendra Dove, Columbia

Victoria Felder, Goose Creek

Amber Galea, Greenville

Aisha Graham, Orangeburg

Natalie Griggs, Laurens