Harness YOUR Greatness!

SAM Serves during MLK Week Events and Beyond – Join Us!  

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This coming week, our nation honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a day of service on Monday.  Across Spartanburg County and many other communities serving opportunities encompass more than a day, often a full week, or longer.  We see this as another sign of the social growth of our community – not growth measured in numbers of people, but in mindset and awareness that becomes positive action. 

“Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.”

-      Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

We challenge you to harness your greatness.  Your service may actually take place online, learning about what is happening in our community.  While not as much a physical act of service, it is still serving, as you broaden your mind and understanding of our community. 

Here are a few ways our SAM team is involved and we welcome you to join us. Links for registering/viewing are provided where events still have space available.

Friday, 1/15/2021

  • Dr. Russell Booker, SAM’s Executive Director and Bill Barnet, former Mayor of Spartanburg, are leading the Viking Early College discussion of Dr. King’s letter written from the Birmingham, Alabama jail.  Joining them in this discussion are John Simpkins, President of MDC and former Obama administration counsel; and Darrin Goss, President and CEO of the Coastal Community Foundation. All are SC Liberty Fellows.

Monday, 1/18/2021, 8:00 AM

Monday, 1/18/2021: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM In-Person, space limited

  • SAM team members Kim Atchley and Savannah Ray will lead an in-person Cradle to Career Experience, where participants learn the difference between equality and equity while digging deeper into educational outcomes across Spartanburg County. This event follows COVID-19 safety protocols and is limited to only 12 participants.

Tuesday, 1/19/2021 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Virtual

  • In collaboration with Spartanburg’s Racial Equity Collaborative, SAM is sponsoring Racial Equity Groundwater Training, facilitated by the Racial Equity Institute (REI). Workshop participants will examine modern-day racial inequity through a process that helps to provide historical factors, talking points, and a broad definition of racism.  

Tuesday, 1/19/2021 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Virtual

  • SAM’s Wardlaw Institute will lead an Introduction to Continuous Improvement for the Community.  Led by Vivian Ann Shaver, this event helps community members learn about the techniques being used by program leaders and educators serving children and families across Spartanburg County.  Learn how practical tools help all ensure that that the programs and services being offered are building equitable outcomes for all.

Tuesday, 1/19/2021  7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Virtual

  • Dr. Russell Booker and Scott Cochran, President of Spartanburg Methodist College will share perspectives about local education during this Unity Week Conversation. Live on the City’s Facebook Page.

All Month:  Teacher Care Kits In-person drop-off

  • SAM is leading a project to build and distribute teacher care kits.  Never in the history of education have teachers faced the challenges they face now.  Help encourage them as they support children and families across Spartanburg County. 

Tuesday, 2/9/2021 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM Virtual

In addition to the above, the United Way of the Piedmont’s GET CONNECTED MLK Day of Service Calendar of Opportunities has many other events – virtual and in-person to help you plan a personal act of service that honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

And don’t forget…

This year’s The Unity Celebration will be virtual this year! This event will be streamed live from the City of Spartanburg, SC Facebook page. The Unity Celebration will begin at 6:30 pm, January 18th. There will also be two additional Unity Week Conversations happening on January 19th & 26th, hosted on the same FB page at 7:00 pm.