GOOD NEWS: Gammons named Charleston Bar’s first black president

Gammons

Staff reports  |  Debra J. Gammons, who directs diversity efforts at the Charleston School of Law, today will become the county’s first black president of the Charleston County Bar Association.

“I am looking forward to continuing my work for equality, education and engagement,” said Gammons, a distinguished visiting professor and director of the Office of Diversity Initiatives at the law school.  “I am looking forward to working with attorneys at the school and throughout the community to bring about positive changes here, across the state and across the country.”

Gammons, the sixth woman to head the nonprofit association, will succeed Charleston City Council member and local attorney Peter Shahid, who served as the Bar president from 2018-19.

“We are incredibly proud of Debra and excited for the Charleston County Bar and for our community,” said Dean Andy Abrams.  “Since her earliest days at the College of Charleston where she was the first black and first woman to serve as president of the student body to today, Debra has led a life of service. She is a both a passionate advocate and compassionate leader, and exemplifies the motto of the Charleston School of Law—pro bono populi—for the good of people.”

Gammons, who received a law degree from the University of South Carolina School of law, joined the Charleston School of Law in 2009 after serving as assistant city attorney for Greenville for 11 years.  She also has served as an assistant solicitor and has had a private legal practice in cases involving medical malpractice, personal injury, child custody, divorce and criminal defense.  In addition to overseeing diversity initiatives at the law school, she has taught criminal law, constitutional law, trial advocacy, and sex and gender issues and the law.

Her term as president of the Bar will last through February 2020.

In other Good News:

Reopening.  The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry will reopen 9 a.m. March 2 after an eight-week, $550,000 renovation. According to an email from the museum, “visitors will notice that the bathrooms have been made-over and the ceiling has been encapsulated. The shed in the museum’s backyard was removed and new HVAC systems have been installed throughout the building. Roof and door repairs were also completed during this time.”  The museum’s temporary, pop-up location in Citadel Mall will close 5 p.m. Feb. 26.  More info:  ExploreCML.org.

New hospital.  MUSC will build and operate a new $50 million hospital to replace hospitals in Lake City and Williamsburg County, according to a news release.  “The new hospital will be a 25-bed critical access facility, providing care through traditional on-site delivery as well as through virtual visits via the extensive MUSC Telehealth Network.”  More:  muschealth.org.

Big read.  Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) is joining the nation in celebrating the National Education Association’s 21st annual Read Across America event. Several library branches will host celebrity readers during events scheduled Feb. 28, and March 1, 4 and 5.  Read Across America celebrates Dr. Seuss’ birthday and the joy of reading. More than 45 million readers of all ages are expected to pick up a book and read during associated events held nationwide March 2.  Check out the schedule of CCPL events here, and get ready to enjoy listening to Dr. Seuss favorites as we celebrate his birthday with local celebrities.

Big SEWE year.  Preliminary reports from the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition “ indicate that 2019 numbers are up across the board, surpassing last year’s record-high attendance and sales. With an estimated 45,000+ attendees, SEWE experienced a 5 percent increase in advanced online and weekend ticket sales, 30 percent increase in food and beverage sales and a 6 percent increase in weekend art sales. Event organizers expect residual art sales to continue over the next few weeks,” according to a press release.

Grow local.  Lowcountry Local First has announced a new initiative aimed towards the nonprofit organization’s mission to cultivate an economy anchored in local ownership, Good Enterprises, joining the established Good Business and Good Farming initiatives. Good Enterprises will be a catalyst for reshaping the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem to one that provides equitable opportunity for business ownership, in order to transform lives and communities. Read more.

Green businesses.  The City of Charleston is launching the 2019 Charleston Green Business Challenge with a workshop series beginning this month. Mayor John Tecklenburg will announce the official kickoff 1:30 p.m. Feb. 28 in the first floor public meeting room at 2 George Street. Immediately following the announcement, the first workshop will begin.  Hosted by the division of Business and Neighborhood Services, the workshops will cover a range of topics from energy consumption to sustainable alternatives and lowering environmental impacts from commuters to water conservation. The focus will be to provide participating businesses with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in lowering their energy costs and creating more environmentally sustainable facilities.  RSVP.