Senator Kimpson presented SCCLF’s CEO, Michelle Mapp, with the Marjorie Amos-Frazier Pacesetter Award yesterday at Charleston County Council chambers. The award is presented annually to a recipient for their lasting civic and humanitarian contributions. Kimpson opened providing background on the award and past honorees; all recipients are nominated by the selection committee and chosen based on their advancement of societal well-being, outstanding recognition in the community, and inspirational leadership. Michelle graciously accepted the award with her husband Marquette, children Seth and Jordan, sister, and best friend by her side.
Read the full transcript of Michelle’s acceptance remarks here:
Thank you Senator Kimpson… you are a voice of and for the people. We need you, and where you lead you have an army of constituents willing to follow. Thank you to the West Ashley democrats and to the selection committee for this great honor. I am humbled by your selection and hope and pray that I may live a life of service and live a legacy of good work worthy of Marjorie Amos-Frazier.
I believe that in her desire to make this community a better and more accepting place for her five children, like so many of us, she stumbled upon her own strength and found her own voice, and we are all better because she used those gifts bestowed upon her by God to work to make this place we call Charleston simply a more welcoming home for her family and ours. I stand here today because she stood before me.
Although this is an individual recognition, I graciously accept it today on behalf of the staff and the board of the South Carolina Community Loan Fund. This award is a recognition of our collective teamwork to provide equitable access to capital as a catalyst to provide wealth producing community assets by financing affordable housing, healthy food, community facility, and small business enterprises to provide strong, economically resilient communities throughout South Carolina.
I could not do what I do professionally without the love, support, and encouragement from my friends, family, and colleagues. Thank you to my husband Marquette for his leadership of our family, to my sister and best friend who are with me today.
And then to my children, Seth and Jordan. You are my inspiration. That you demand answers of me daily of why, why, why does injustice exist. You motivate me every day to keep working and to keep speaking up so that you might witness the triumph of good over evil, in big and small ways, right here in our own community. And that you might be the pacesetters that fulfill the calling on your lives, that manifest true liberty and justice for all people in your lifetimes. That is why I stand here today.
I stand here today because Hilda Jefferson stood before me.
I stand here today because Connie Ackerman stood before me.
I stand here today because Mignon Clyburn stood before me.
I stand here today because Joseph Riley stood before me.
I stand here today because Herbert Fielding, McKinley Washington, and yes, Marjorie Amos-Frazier stood before me. And each raised their hands and said yes Lord, send me, I will go.
May I, and you, be forever worthy and accountable to their legacy of service to our community.
