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Jonnieka Farr is a community driven public servant who believes that community engagement is key in

strengthening Columbia, SC and surrounding areas. Jonnieka's passion for Richland County extends to her role as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Greater Columbia Community Relations Council and Vice Chair of the NAACP Columbia Branch’s Political Action Committee. In addition, she

serves on several other boards which includes Orange Hopes Senior Initiatives, the Northeast

Columbia Empowerment Coalition (NECEC) and the Wiley Kennedy Foundation.

Since choosing Columbia as a home for her family due to extensive travel because of her affiliation with the military, Jonnieka has worked diligently to ensure issues and concerns within our community and state are addressed. This is done through collaborative efforts with community advocacy groups.

Jonnieka is a member of the Columbia Chapter of NOW (National Organization of Women) and supports all efforts to ensure equal rights for women. She has assisted with GOTV efforts, which included several Voter Registration drives within the community. She particularly targeted underrepresented communities with low voter registration percentages. She is an advocate for gun law reform and has participated in the March for Our Lives Rally, supporting the grassroots efforts of our youth. Jonnieka earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the State University of New York. Her desire to be a public servant has led to her career’s tenure with the South Carolina Department of Social Services where she has served for over 21 years. Her current role is a business analyst with their Division of Technology.

Tyler D. Bailey is the founder and managing attorney at Bailey Law Firm, L.L.C. In this

position, Tyler manages the business operations at Bailey Law Firm, and represents its clients

throughout South Carolina primarily in the areas of Civil Rights, Personal Injury, Workers’

Compensation, and Civil Litigation with an emphasis on Crime Victims’ Rights.

Tyler founded Bailey Law Firm to provide an avenue for people to seek justice and

accountability no matter how big or powerful the competing interest. As the lead attorney at

Bailey Law Firm, Tyler fights for his clients in both state and federal courts in South Carolina

and nationally. Tyler has quickly become recognized as a rising star in the profession. He sits on

the Board of Directors for the South Carolina Association for Justice, American Association for

Justice, and the advisory board for the National Crime Victims Bar Association. Tyler has been

named one of the Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyers in South Carolina by both the National Trial

Lawyers Organization, and the National Black Trial Lawyers. Additionally, Tyler was named

one of the Best and Brightest 35 and Under by the Columbia Business Monthly Magazine and

Top 20 Under 40 by the State Newspaper.

Board of Directors

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The board is comprised of community and business leaders with the knowledge, abilities and skills to develop, execute programs and initiatives to meet the needs of our communities, city and state. Our board members possess:

 

  •     An extensive professional experience with executive leadership accomplishments

  •     A dedication to the mission of improving the lives of children

  •     The ability to work collaboratively and savvy diplomatic skills

  •     Demonstrate cultural competency

  •     A record of effective advocacy for positive societal change

  •     A record of service on volunteer and/or public boards

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Current Board Members

Erica Wade was named the Manager of the Office of Small Business Opportunity for Richland County effective October 1, 2018. In that role she serves as an active advocator and advisor for the Small Local Business Enterprises (SLBE) community of Richland County.  Ms. Wade ensures that the OSBO office achieves the vision and the mission of the county by providing comprehensive services that facilitate the development and sustainability of the County’s small businesses.

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Ms. Wade comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience in supplier diversity and inclusion.  She is a graduate of Benedict College with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and a Master of Arts from Webster University in Organization Leadership. Ms. Wade became a Certified Supplier Diversity Professional in December 2016 and is a candidate for receiving her Certified Compliance Administrator in August 2019.

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Her goal is to advocate for the small and local businesses to ensure them an equal opportunity to participate in County contracts by connecting businesses to programs and resources that can foster their growth. 

Angelo McBride is currently the CEO and Chief Consultant for Continuity Consulting Management Group, LLC, an organization he founded to assist organizations create value, resolve issues, maximize growth and improve business operations, performance and profitability.

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Throughout his career he held several positions where he demonstrated a firm commitment and dedication to public service. During his distinguished 25-year military career he received numerous awards and decorations prior to retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2013. As the Business Administrator for the City of Columbia Office of Business Opportunities Angelo led the city’s effort to address economic disparity and created access and equity for small businesses through providing professional support and capacity building.

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He also had the pleasure of managing and administering the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grants between Sumter and Columbia.  Some of his notable achievements included overseeing the Youth Employment Opportunity program for the Columbia Empowerment Zone and leading economic development activities.

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Angelo has a BA in Political Science/ History from Morris College and his MBA from the University of Phoenix, School of Business. 

Gloria graduated with a Masters of Education from the University of South Carolina in 1986, and began her teaching career with the Department of Defense Schools. During her thirty-three year tenure, she has held various key leadership roles serving as a mentor to USC student teachers as well serving on the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation teams. 

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Twice named Teacher of the Year, she has been both a teacher and coach to students and colleagues.  One of Gloria’s fondest memories of teaching is having former students come back to visit and reminisce about the days of being in her classroom and seeing how they have matured as young men and women.  After retiring from DOD schools, Gloria later continued teaching in the private sector.  

For over 20 years Gwendolyn’s gift and talents for building brands, advertising, marketing communications, training, development and growth have been showcased globally with campaigns for corporate brands such as Verizon Wireless, Burger King, The Ford Motor Company, The Pepsi Cola Company, Astra Zeneca, The Home Depot, The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) and others. Her skills and prowess have also been solicited by many civic, social and faith-based organizations, to provide wisdom and insight to foster their causes.

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Gwendolyn has historically enjoyed C-suite positions with UniWorld and others, until her departure to operate and control UrbanforceTM, Inc and Seeds of the Spirit Communications, LLC. as the CEO. Her faith centered journey includes being radio host of the “Growing in Greatness” on Rejoice Radio Networks.

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She has developed a full curriculum of resources, tutorials and presentation materials to engage and educate clients. Singletary assists each individual with identifying the “leader” within to improve opportunities for business and personal success.

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Sharla Savage is a chemical engineer and co-owner of S2 Engineering and Consulting, LLC.  She has worked in the areas of environmental compliance and permitting specifically air/water permitting, emission calculations, and wastewater/soil sampling for over 25 years. S2 Engineering and Consulting is a certified small business with the Small Business Administration and classified as a certified Veteran-owned and a minority-owned small business. 

Myron Alford is currently the Senior Vice President of Real Estate Lending for South End Capital Corp., a direct lender specializing in Commercial, Business, and Residential Investment Loans. He is also the owner of Alford, Marsh & Associates, a Commercial & Business Loan Consultant firm of 28 years. He is the Chair of the Capital City Performing Arts Foundation and Business Manager for the Capital City Chorale.

 

His love for GOD and music called him to serve as the Minister of Music at Bethlehem Baptist Church, College Place, Columbia, SC for 30 years. 

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He is a graduate of Dreher High School and the University of South Carolina, where he majored in Business. 

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