Columbia, SC – The Wiley Kennedy Foundation held its Awards & Appreciation Reception on Friday, June 27, 2025, honoring outstanding individuals and community partners who have contributed to the mission of service and support throughout the years. The Awards Reception on Friday and the Community Walk and Festival on Saturday were the culminating events for the Wiley Kennedy Foundation’s 25th year celebration. The theme of this celebration weekend was “Connecting Communities.”
The Friday evening event featured soulful jazz by saxophonist Dante Lewis and vocals by Carolyn Davis that both moved and engaged the crowd.
Gwendolyn Singletary, Executive Director of the Foundation, acknowledged the vision and work of the late Rev. CA Faulk and Deacon Wiley Kennedy, who established the Foundation in 1999. Also present for the evening were members of the Kennedy Family who continue to support the mission and work of the foundation.
“For the Foundation, innovation has been our compass,” said Singletary. “We have pioneered programs that reach beyond barriers, that light the way for those who have been left in the shadow. Our work is not just about meeting today’s needs, but about building bridges to a brighter tomorrow. We have walked side by side with communities, listening, learning, and lifting each other up—because we know that true progress is built on connection,” shared Singletary.
During the evening, nine awards were presented. The Wiley Kennedy Foundation’s Community Leadership Award was presented to Representative Leon Howard, retired Councilwoman Yvonne McBride, and Dr Anthony A. McCallum, pastor of the Bethlehem Baptist Church. The WKF’s Community Leadership Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in creating sustainable change within their community, having shown a commitment to fostering unity, empowering others, and making a tangible impact in areas such as education, health, or social justice.
The Wiley Kennedy Youth Empowerment Award honors a young person (under 30 years old) or a group of youth who have made a significant impact in their community through volunteerism or innovative service projects. The WKF’s Youth Empowerment Award celebrates the next generation of leaders who are paving the way for social change and growth by giving their time, energy, and creativity to serve others. This year, the award was presented to two young leaders, Zenya Gantt and D’Asia Weston.
The Wiley Kennedy Collective Impact Award was presented to JT McLawhorn and the Columbia Urban League. The WKF’s Collective Impact Award is presented to a group or organization that has come together to create a collective impact on a community, tackling local issues through collaboration and resource-sharing. The group’s efforts should focus on promoting growth and development.
The recipient of the 2025 Wiley Kennedy Foundation Board MVP Award—an award that recognizes truly outstanding board service and holistic contributions to the Wiley Kennedy Foundation was retired educator Gloria Brown. Additionally, Friend of the Foundation Awards were presented to Alice Walker Alford, David Brown, and Michael Glover, all of whom were recognized for their extraordinary service and volunteer work.
Singletary extended her heartfelt thanks to all the sponsors, supporters, and community members who made the “Connecting Communities” anniversary events possible, especially BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, the Columbia Urban League, Inc., Kambrell Garvin Law Firm, LLC, BANCO, Senator Tameika Issac Devine and the Wiley Kennedy Family. The evening was a powerful reminder of the strength of community and the importance of recognizing those who continue to make a lasting impact. “Here’s to another twenty-five years of connecting communities, of building hope, and of working together toward a better place for all,” said Singletary.
