Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders: Lt. Governor Evette’s Employment Initiative

Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders: Lt. Governor Evette’s Employment Initiative

Lt. Governor Evette joined the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce on Wednesday, May 1st for a joint press conference announcing the launch of the Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders: Lt. Governor Evette’s Employment Initiative webpage at dew.sc.gov.

This is an overview page filled with resources and helpful tips, and the Youth Employment Services/Site (YES) job board, which is an online job database that showcases work opportunities for teenage jobseekers with no prior experience.

This online job board is a safe and interactive introduction to the workforce with a myriad of resources. Young people, parents, and educators can find job postings from employers across the state in various industries. The job board is searchable with filters, including looking up work by zip code, and offers background information, directions, and application resources for all participating employers. The Regional Workforce Advisors (RWAs) at DEW are instrumental in the upkeep and verification of the job database as they are the statewide lynchpins between employers and students.

From small businesses to major employers, seasonal part-time work to apprenticeships, professional growth opportunities, and everything else in between:  This job board encourages everyone to say YES to youth employment! 

Visit the Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders webpage here: https://dew.sc.gov/youthemployment.

Lieutenant Governor Evette visits Lowcountry discussing youth employment

Lieutenant Governor Evette visits Lowcountry discussing youth employment

Originally posted on May 1st by WCBD by Raymond Owens

GOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCBD) — South Carolina’s Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette spent Wednesday in the Lowcountry discussing youth employment.

Evette was at Chick-fil-A in Goose Creek, learning about the restaurant’s business practices and the skills younger employees are developing by working there. 

Several employees discussed with News 2 some of the skills they are utilizing on a daily basis at the Chick-fil-A. 

“So discipline, that’s one of the big things for me,” said Taylor Pennington, team member and trainer. “Being a full-time student, I have to discipline myself. Doing schoolwork and then coming to work and being able to serve those guests.”

 Another team member discussed the reassurance they get from having a team to count on. 

“Just being able to step back no matter how busy and no matter how stressed I am,” said Harrison Livingston. “Knowing that I have a great team to rely on and support me in any way I can. It’s really reassuring.” 

Evette toured the location for about an hour Wednesday afternoon, where 30 to 50 employees, many of them young people, work daily. 

William Floyd, the Executive Director of the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, joined Evette for a press conference at the North Charleston Coliseum earlier in the day. The pair announced an online data website that shows jobs available for youth in the state. 

“We connect people with work and work with people, especially included our youth,” Floyd said. “Some youth are looking for part-time jobs because they haven’t graduated yet. There’s a great opportunity to do that through the lieutenant governor’s website that she initiated.”

Teenagers can search for jobs based on their zip code and discover job opportunities available near them. 

“How do we help, first of all, small businesses by getting kids working? And then a message to parents,” Evette said. “Parents, we need to get your kids off the couch. If you kick them out of the house to get them a job when they’re young, that is something that will be a runway of success for them forever.”

S.C. Lt. Governor tours PALM Charter High School

S.C. Lt. Governor tours PALM Charter High School

Originally published by WMBF News, April 30, 2024

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) – South Carolina’s second in command praised a Grand Strand school for setting its students up for success in the workforce. 

Lt. Governor Pamela Evette toured the PALM Charter High School in Conway on Tuesday and spoke with students and teachers about the hands-on experience kids receive. 

The school has a unique curriculum centered around motorsports and life skills and Evette said the school is a great example for the students to learn all the the careers out there. 

“There are some kids that just do better hands-on, and I think you know as a country we overcorrected years ago, a 4-year college degree is not the only path to success and we see that,” she said.

Evette added that careers outside the college degree tract are lucrative for those pursuing that route. 

“We see it from carpenters to HVAC workers and electricians and plumbers, these are great careers. Those people are making a lot of money doing what they love to do and it didn’t require going to get a four-year degree.”

Evette told WMBF News she is rolling out a new initiative Wednesday with the state’s Department of Employment and Workforce to help boost youth employment.

Evette hosts annual lieutenant governor’s conference in Myrtle Beach

Evette hosts annual lieutenant governor’s conference in Myrtle Beach

Originally posted by WBTW News 13, April 24, 2024 by Jackie LiBrizzi

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) – Wednesday marked Day 1 of a three-day conference for the National Lieutenant Governors Association’s spring meeting in Myrtle Beach. 

This year’s conference was hosted by South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette at the Marriott Myrtle Beach at Grande Dunes. 

The annual meeting was first organized by the nonprofit in 1962 with a mission to promote the efficiency and effectiveness of the office and government. National leaders met Wednesday to share ideas and solutions. 

Currently, South Carolina isn’t just the fastest growing state in the nation — it’s also a top-eight leader in ports, tourism and military. 

14 U.S. lieutenant governors were in attendance along with the lieutenant governor for Guam and the Secretary of State for Puerto Rico.

During the meeting, the chief financial officer for the state’s ports authority, Phil Padgett, said Charleston’s port is one of the busiest and most important ports in North America. He said it’s because of supply chain and trade.

Padgett said more than $3 billion has gone into capital investment in the last 15 years. He said that includes terminal capacity, transportation improvements, and import and exporting infrastructure.

He also discussed strategic priorities.

“A technical term us employees use, we liked to call it ‘sticky cargo,’ and what that means is the customer has to call our port, so we really want to create an environment where they have to come,” Padgett said. “We deliver critical infrastructure, and I’m sure you’ve seen this across the country, cranes, additional war space, maybe in passing.”

Many discussions were about “an eye to the future.” Padgett said growth rates are up and that means revenues are too.

Another state official who spoke during Wednesday’s meeting was Duane Parrish, South Carolina’s Director of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism.

Parrish said currently, South Carolina is the seventh-most visited state in the country. He said they started a grant program called “Undiscovered South Carolina” and since then, there’s been more than 6 million trips.

Parrish talked about the top trends he’s seen in our state parks.

“Our state parks, we have 47, we will add six more to what is already there. And maybe another five in another 12-14 months. State Park revenue is up 6.3% from the previous year,” he said. “Our state park numbers have doubled since pre-COVID, and that’s with the same number of parks. People have come in our recreation, boating, and you mark it back to COVID, it’s hard to find and very expensive.”

Parrish said he’s also noticed a rise in sports tourism. He said it’s now making up 10% of the global tourism industry. 

Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller was also on a peer panel during Wednesday’s meeting. Miller said around 3 a.m. on March 26, she woke up to a phone call. 

She said a cargo ship the size of the Eiffel Tower collided into their Francis Scott Key Bridge and killed six transportation workers.

Miller said there’s also been a great economic consequence from the collapse, closing the ninth-busiest port in our nation.

She said the annual economic activity of the port of Baltimore is about $70 billion, supporting more than 900 businesses, 8,000 direct jobs, and $140,000 jobs indirect and services. 

Miller said she and her governor meet with officials three times a week for updates and to strategize. She said so far, she’s attended three wakes and funerals. 

“I ask that you please continue to keep the victim’s families, our first responders, and the men and women who are working each and every single day courageously at our site to remove the wreckage.”

Miller said they’ll continue to grieve together, stand together and pray together.

Lt. Gov. Evette addresses students during 3rd annual event at the S.C. State House

Lt. Gov. Evette addresses students during 3rd annual event at the S.C. State House

Originally published by ABC 25 Columbia, by Lee Williams, April 9, 2024

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Students from 30 different colleges and universities across South Carolina were recognized at the Statehouse Tuesday afternoon for the 3rd Annual Higher Education Day.

The event honors students currently working on their degrees while also encouraging young high schoolers to see attending a college, university, or technical college as a viable path.

Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette addressed the students directly, saying, “Continue to dream big. When you dream big, the sky is the limit for you. Anytime I talk to students I like to say what my dad told me and my 3 older brothers. Always work hard, do good, and aim higher, and we will continue to set our state on a path that we could never even dream of.”

Evette says when she came into her position six years ago, only 41% of South Carolinians held a secondary degree. But as Dr. Gregory Little with the SC Commission on Higher Education explains, affordability efforts by the General Assembly aim to see more youth choose higher education.

“For example in the fiscal year 2021-2022 budget, South Carolina increased need based grants from $20 million to $60 million. And doubled tuition grants from $10 million to $20 million. Need based grant funding increased to $70 million in 22-23 and to $80 million in 23-24,” Little says.

Claflin University Senior Erin Thomas says school provides her with the opportunity to chase her dream of being an OBGYN.

“I’m really interested in women’s health, and I know that it’s very prone that we have a lot of different diseases that creep up on us, so I want to keep them engaged, keep them inspired and keep them educated on different things so they can keep themselves healthy and bare the longevity,” says Thomas.

Allen University’s Student President Preston Conner, Jr. says he wants to be a member of the secret service one day. School, he says, will help him reach that goal.

“I feel like education plays a major role in your life. Because without an education you’re limited about stuff you can do. People with an education have a better chance of getting a job, have a better background and something to put on their resume; have more experience,” says Conner.

And Benedict College Sophomore Kenly Rouse is a psychology major. His message to high schoolers?

“Take your time, weigh out all of your options. The sky is the limit. Don’t rush it. Just breathe, be patient and put God first in everything you do,” Rouse says.

Speakers also encouraged students to remain in South Carolina after graduation and help strengthen our state. Around 238,000 students attend 75 higher education institutions across South Carolina.

SC state leaders stress importance of not littering

SC state leaders stress importance of not littering

Originally published Apr 3, 2024 by Alex Tejada, ABC Columbia

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — You might think tossing trash on the side of the road is not a big deal but South Carolina littering laws could mean you end up with a fine or worse. 

Tuesday at the statehouse, Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, along with Palmetto Pride and the South Carolina Litter Control Association, kicked off a zero tolerance for litter campaign for the month of April.

“Just don’t throw your trash where it doesn’t belong. That’s the easiest solution to most of life’s problems,” said Sarah Lyles, director of Palmetto Pride. “If it’s a big problem, don’t just throw it on the ground. Put it in a trash can or recycle it.”

Tuesday, state leaders kicked off a zero tolerance for litter campaign. Litter can pollute South Carolina’s soil and water as well as impact the environment in other ways.

“In South Carolina, we have flooding issues. When we have people litter and illegally dump, it fills in storm drains,” Lyles said. “We’re a southern state so we have waters flowing from other states. We have stormwater runoff that can clog storm drains and cause flooding. We see that in South Carolina.”

The Department of Public Safety also sees the harm that litter can cause on the roadways.

“It also can be a safety hazard,” said Col. Dean Dill. “Over 730 people get killed nationally a year because of objects in the roadway and 17,000 get injured.”

You might think that littering only trashes the community, but it can also land you in quite a bit of legal trouble depending on the offense.

“The worse the crime, the higher the fine and jail time,” Lyles said. “We also have mandatory community service. Officers and judges are allowed to give litter pickup for community service hours. We can assign roads and give them the supplies to do it and clean up.”

So if you throw trash, you might find yourself picking it back up, as well as paying a fine of anywhere from $25 to up to a $1,000

“Enforcement is always there to meet a goal.” Dill said. “It’s to keep people safe and gain compliance. That’s what we’re there for.”

If you are interested in helping clean up your community through a trash pickup, find out how to get involved or attend a specific event.

Ghana Association Celebrates 67th Independence in South Carolina with Keynote by Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette

Ghana Association Celebrates 67th Independence in South Carolina with Keynote by Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette

Original Posted in The Humanity Herald on March 25 2024

Spartanburg, SC – The Ghana Association of the Upstate SC marked Ghana’s 67th Independence Day with an event showcasing the rich cultural heritage and vibrant spirit of the Ghanaian community in South Carolina. Held on March 23, 2024, at the Cleveland Park Event Center, the celebration drew esteemed guests, including the Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, Pamela Sue Evette, who delivered an inspiring keynote address.

The event began with drums welcoming guests to a cocktail hour. Guests were invited into the event hall after the initial hour of networking. After an opening prayer by Rev. Amos Durham of the Spartanburg Sheriff’s Office, the audience received a warm welcome from Spartanburg Mayor Pro Tem Janie Salley.

With Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe, EVP & Chief Legal Officer Duke Energy Corporation, as the Chairperson of the evening, the event was not just a tribute to Ghana’s independence but also a vivid showcase of the enduring ties and cultural exchange between Ghana and the United States. Through gatherings like this, the Ghanaian community in South Carolina continues to foster a deeper appreciation for their heritage while contributing richly to the multicultural diversity of the region.

In addition to the Lieutenant Governors keynote which highlighted her experience as the descendant of Polish immigrants, the event included dance performances from the Gye Nyame Cultural Ensemble, poetry recitals, the singing of both national anthems, cultural displays, authentic Ghanaian meals, music, dancing, fundraising, and laughter.

The evening was captivating and memorable. The celebration showcased a variety of dishes cooked by individuals of Ghanaian heritage from the Upstate area, allowing guests to savor authentic Ghanaian cuisine. The food display included jollof rice, waakye, kenkey, fufu, soup, chicken, salmon, salads, rock buns, plantain chips, and more. The colorful kente themed food display table also included authentic Ghanaian drinks such as sobolo and ekumfi juice. The peanut cake/brizzle provided by Rosemond Owens of Minnesota was a popular dessert item.

The event planning committee, including Abby Solomon – Azumah, Charles Agyeman, Nat Buah-Kwofie, Reverend Jefferson Crystal, and Ben Azumah, played a crucial role in the smooth execution of the event, coordinating everything from volunteer efforts to food delivery, setup, and cleanup.

The event was spearheaded by the dynamic Ghanaian American author and Spartanburg resident, Marjorie Boafo Appiah, also known as Marjy Marj. Her centerpieces adorned with Ghanaian woodwork added an artistic flair to the tables. Marjy’s meticulous attention to detail was evident in the decorated hall, featuring floral arrangements from Coggins Flowers, and serving utensils from Event Rentals, Spartanburg, creating an ambiance that was both elegant and welcoming. As the author of ‘The Jollof Project’ a book based on two Spartanburg fourth graders who embarked on a cooking competition, Marjy cooked her jollof recipe (among other dishes) for the guests.

The balloon decor, created by Angela Butler of Spartanburg, included Ghana-themed elements adding a patriotic touch to the setting. The backdrop of the flags of the United States and Ghana, framing the podium captured the spirit of love for both countries.

In attendance were reporters from Fox News, covering the celebration and its significance to the local and broader community. Attendees included representatives from the African-American and African communities, Duke Energy, BMW, City and State Officials, Furman University, the community at large, and several benefactors.

Photography was provided by Jeremiah Drummond of South Carolina, ensuring the event’s vibrancy and exuberance were preserved. The music was provided by DJ Master Berto.

The Ghanaian Association of Upstate South Carolina is a social  association of Ghanaians, people of Ghanaian descent, and friends of  Ghana residing in the state of South Carolina and surrounding towns  and suburbs.

Subsequent independence and cultural commemorations continue around the country. Another celebration is scheduled to take place in Columbia, South Carolina on March 30th.

Photo Credit: Jeremiah Drummond.

Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette to Serve as Chair of the Republican Lieutenant Governor Association (RGLA) in 2024

Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette to Serve as Chair of the Republican Lieutenant Governor Association (RGLA) in 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: RSLC Press
press@rslc.gop

RLGA Announces 2024 Executive Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– The Republican Lieutenant Governors Association (RLGA), a caucus of the Republican State Leadership Committee, today announced its 2024 Executive Committee. The announcement follows an election cycle in which the organization showed tremendous success electing Republican lieutenant governors. In 2022, the RSLC made a significant $300,000 investment to help elect Stavros Anthony in Nevada in a stunning upset to flip that seat from Democrat to Republican. In 2023, the RSLC went undefeated in protecting our incumbent Lieutenant Governors, and two of our incumbents were the highest vote getters on the ballot in their respective states, including Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, and Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann.

The RSLC will look to build on these achievements in 2024, as there will be 9 lieutenant governors races on the ballot.

“I am grateful to have the support of my fellow Republican Lieutenant Governors as I take on this critical position as Chair of the RLGA alongside the entire executive committee,” said South Carolina Lieutenant Governor and RLGA Chair Pamela Evette. “As Chair of the RLGA in 2024, it is imperative that we remain steadfast in our commitment to electing conservative leaders who will push back on the devastating policies coming out of Washington D.C. from Joe Biden and his allies.”

“The American people are looking at state Republican leaders to lead while the federal government continues to fail them, so during this pivotal presidential election cycle, our work as Republican leaders in the states has become more important than ever before,” said Utah Lieutenant Governor and RLGA Vice Chair Deidre Henderson. “We must work together in lockstep as we press forward to elect more Republican Lieutenant Governors nationwide.”

“In 2024, the RLGA is laser focused on protecting all of our Lieutenant Governors against the onslaught of money pouring in from national outside liberal spending groups in key battleground states across the country,” said Nevada Lieutenant Governor and RLGA Finance Chair Stavros Anthony. “I cannot wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work with the executive team at the RLGA, where we will continue to ensure that we raise more money than ever to maintain our high rate of success this November.”

Republican Lieutenant Governors Association Executive Committee

  • South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, Chair
  • Utah Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson, Vice Chair
  • Nevada Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony, Finance Chair
  • Florida Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez, Executive Committee
  • Indiana Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, Executive Committee
  • Iowa Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg, Executive Committee
  • Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted, Executive Committee
  • Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell, Executive Committee

ABOUT RLGA
One of four caucuses under RSLC’s leadership, the Republican Lieutenant Governors Association (RLGA) is the only national organization dedicated to electing Republicans to the offices of lieutenant governor. Across the country, lieutenant governors serve as a state’s second-in-command, performing critical tasks such as overseeing small business recruitment, leading economic development, administering fair elections, maintaining homeland security, and managing disaster recovery. These experiences often prepare our lieutenant governors for higher office, as 10 out of 27 Republican governors previously served as lieutenant governors.

ABOUT RSLC
The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) is the largest organization of Republican state leaders in the country and only national committee whose mission is to recruit, train, and elect Republicans to multiple down-ballot, state-level offices. Thanks to the RSLC’s growing network of grassroots supporters in all 50 states, the committee helps deliver wins for Republican state legislators, lieutenant governors, secretaries of state, agriculture officials, and state judges across the country.

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Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette speaks Clarendon County GOP meeting

Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette speaks Clarendon County GOP meeting

by Melissa McCoy, Manning Live — originally posted on 2/18/2024

On February 8 th , the Clarendon County Republican Party (CCGOP) met for its regularly scheduled monthly meeting. The meeting was opened with prayer and CCGOP Chairman Moye Graham gave remarks and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Next, members recited the Republican Creed, led by Cindy Risher from the Executive Committee. June Brailsford, Treasurer, gave her report and Secretary Maureen Calvo followed with an update. This month’s meeting included several special guests. House Representative

District 64 Fawn Pedalino and South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette were in attendance as speakers.

Pedalino gave a brief rundown about the agreement that she and State Senator Kevin Johnson had come to regarding the school board trustees election map before moving on to more recent issues. Pedalino continued, “It is an election year with a lot of things to do, mostly focusing right now on our children, which I think is important.”

Pedalino explained the social media regulation bill and that it mandates age verification, requires parental consent, and provider/parental accounts. The intended goal is to take proactive steps to protect youth from potentially harmful online content. From there, Pedalino said that the committee went further and took the initiative to create the Child Online Safety Act. The COSA is designed to protect children from inappropriate online content such as pornographic material. “Most of you know it is everywhere and they can literally just login. Some of the kids already know what a VPN is and they can bypass it, but the goal was to stop as many as we could,” Pedalino noted.

The Help Not Harm bill, Pedalino describes, fights gender transition procedures to anyone under the age of 18. That would include surgeries as well as puberty blockers and hormone therapy. It restricts South Carolina Medicaid from covering these procedures for anyone under the age of 26. The bill also requires schools to notify parents that their children are making statements about being transgender as well as
holding doctors criminally accountable if they perform these procedures. “I was on this one the whole way, from beginning to end. I was on the committee,” Pedalino touted.

Another bill that passed recently was the maximum potential unemployment benefit bill. “Our state’s unemployment benefits seem to benefit our workforce businesses’ economy,“ Pedalino explained, “essentially the number of our number of weeks of unemployment benefits that a claimant may receive will be tied to the economic conditions.” She then gave the example that when jobs are readily available,
indicating a strong economy, benefits would be limited in an effort to encourage employment and workforce participation. 

Lastly, Pedalino discussed a bill that was close to her heart. “Another one we worked on, and it is sentimental to me, obviously, coming from an EMS background, [is] we created a position for fallen first responder’s survivors.”  The bill is designed to assist families of deceased first responders with benefits and support. “When you are grieving the loss of a loved one, you don’t know how to move forward. We want to be able to help with that process. It helps guide them through obtaining health insurance … and educational and financial benefits. This was something that we wanted to take to the Senate.”

After her update, Pedalino formally introduced Lieutenant Governor Evette. After thanking Graham and the crowd for inviting her to the meeting, Evette began to summarize her office’s accomplishments and future goals.

Evette described how she and Governor Henry McMaster “want to bring more opportunities to South Carolina.” She reported 1.7 billion in revenue in 2022 with BMW. “That was our largest economic development announcement that we had … we were so excited only to have that record broken 30 days later when Redway did a $3.5 billion economic development.” Evette was confident in many more businesses establishing themselves in South Carolina. “Let me tell you why they’re coming. Why? Because we are a great red conservative state. Businesses want the opportunity to be able to govern their own businesses.”

Next, Evette spoke regarding high school seniors, including her own, choosing technical colleges over traditional four-year universities. “You can go to one of our technical colleges here in South Carolina. You can get a really cool degree and you’ll go for two years. You will start out at $55,000 and in three years, if you prove yourself to be a good employee, which we all have to do, you can be making six figures. But the best part of that is you will have zero college debt.”

Evette touched on school choice and voter ID before moving on the national election. “I’m very passionate about school choice. I want every parent to be able to guide where their children go to school.

“We want fair elections. And here in South Carolina. We have made it easier to vote and harder to cheat. Right? There is no excuse to not show up in person you have two weeks before any election with your ID with your driver’s license or state issued ID card with your picture on it,” Evette expressed.

A loyal Trump supporter, Evette continually endorses the former president. “We have a presidential primary coming up next Saturday, the 24th , and I’m here to tell you, just to let the cat out of the bag, I’ve been supporting President Trump since 2015. I’ve been supporting him because he brings a sense of strength, peace through strength.”

Evette closed her speech for the evening with a quick question and answer session. A member from the CCGOP took the opportunity to ask the Lt. Governor if she planned to “follow Governor McMaster.”

Evette replied, “Right now, I’m just working really hard to get President Trump elected [and] to make sure we take back the Senate … I really love what I do. I can’t tell you what an honor it is to serve as your lieutenant governor.” She then left the crowd with a simple, “Look for me. I’m not going to be run off.”