[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6389388,"mediaKeyId","2113372-7966532fd9119843b1127d0b565abf6d","parentId",2113372,"title","Commission pushes for proactive outreach, small-business supports tied to April Minority Business Expo","audioSeconds",280,"startMs",2750000,"endMs",3030000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113372-7966532fd9119843b1127d0b565abf6d&start=2750&end=3030","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113372-7966532fd9119843b1127d0b565abf6d/thumbnail_2750000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6389388/Charleston-City/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Commission-pushes-for-proactive-outreach-small-business-supports-tied-to-April-Minority-Business-Expo","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6389388-07dc170eb8237baaf4195b3708f1db97/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160225&Signature=mVTMLhhn5tse0CuJvNeh~F597FZo8~YDRs0e2nSCLoS5zWkGdrvirMdVJq7IhG4Rl1bXwjGM-IoteMEy7I6fU1Bez9Hrkqi10ofDUykDunzX6GPxSlxIBOvP2tu8UCQp3mQDv5F9ka1YmD3kghQPTrBVsXVxxBUWarZNWy~hdgp~7VpKnFG7BDXe07DknbM8Tig9TqNuplYxjEPZZKbj9glFKO40ktjmMolIL4etMbdFhvmYYjh2cWA1SMK1pmvjjbwNw2-ieT6caxq9SS1A6npEFtZlku58rQ-G6ffWHQarVxcM0Ps70qI~0Zqc0SEFnKR61gdAUqBjbaquRE7hUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Charleston SC","date","2025-01-09T00:00:00Z","article","Commissioners urged proactive city action to connect local minority‑ and women‑owned businesses with the wave of upcoming development and upcoming conferences, including a minority business expo scheduled by the Mayor’s Office for April.

Several commissioners said the expo should be more than a one‑day event and recommended “speed‑dating” style sessions and roundtables that let small firms present capabilities to developers, contractors and procurement officers before bids are issued. Alvin Johnson, commissioner, described models used by local redevelopment authorities in past years — roundtables and business intake exercises — that assembled profiles of local firms in advance so public agencies and developers could match opportunities to local capacity.

Commissioners discussed several supports that could improve contracting outcomes for local businesses, including bonding pools, technical assistance from the city’s business resource center, and linkages with the Metro Chamber and Lowcountry Local First. Commissioners also noted the Business Resource Center and community partners such as the YWCA’s workforce programs and asked staff to coordinate with those organizations so that expo participants can be prepared to compete for contracts tied to upcoming projects such as housing redevelopment and riverfront development.

A speaker noted the city budget includes support to Neighbors Together, which operates a landlord–tenant clearinghouse; the speaker said they could not recall the exact dollar figure for the appropriation during the meeting. Commissioners asked staff to engage the Mayor’s Office and relevant departments to plan follow-up, and to consider building longer‑term engagement linked to procurement pipelines rather than a single annual event. No formal commitments of procurement policy changes were made at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Charleston Human Affairs and Racial Conciliation Commission Meeting 1/9/25","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners urged the city to use the April Minority Business Expo and other initiatives to create sustained pipelines connecting local minority‑ and women‑owned firms to large development projects and procurement opportunities.","taxTitle","Charleston City, Charleston County, South Carolina","taxId",3701,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6389392,"Commissionors press for a refreshed housing workgroup as housing authority redevelopment and homelessness plans move forward",220,2380000,2600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113372-7966532fd9119843b1127d0b565abf6d&start=2380&end=2600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113372-7966532fd9119843b1127d0b565abf6d/thumbnail_2380000.jpg","/articles/6389392/Charleston-City/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Commissionors-press-for-a-refreshed-housing-workgroup-as-housing-authority-redevelopment-and-homelessness-plans-move-forward","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6389392-b2917caab59370950822d6fd05646bfb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160225&Signature=TQnUpC5QaWUAkKAQHr72xIlNRoRmn1jOMPLuha5DNUIx7VkRG-nqEkbf3LaHdUG3cCZQYYKXWfhbWj~dAd1pakidN-S6yT~92xAZBNyowqxxPo-~AKcX6zW6Hj2Nxl7Edtp~aCJ1yTVImzkzBY3n2PLnFAzQDb7CQW-qxzeNp-Cds~8DUyGJhZwoYYkbGEPvIjywpkasxDjWAadXAAqI6An3I9X6ndED-Y-jQUiz91J3rvbv7NEmW19Zm-1diJMgRJ9ASXsQzVk-zgc5aM7wbCKDRd-TKEdbt2d8w7Zk86cLut~0rkTtBP6nPxzfmMm59hODxw1s0IQGVxcML3Z8gQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners at the Human Affairs and Race Reconciliation Commission meeting described housing and homelessness as one of the year’s top priorities and agreed to reconstitute a housing workgroup to follow redevelopment, subsidy and homelessness responses.

Commissioner Steven (first referenced as Steven, commissioner) summarized market pressures and pointed to regional studies and projects — including the Bloomberg housing analysis, the Ashley River Crossing/ Ashley River Crossing and the Low Line project — as factors that could reshape development and affordability. He urged the commission to identify specific, equity‑focused recommendations the body can deliver to City Council. Commissioners agreed a focused subcommittee could take on technical issues such as fee‑in‑lieu calculations, density and subsidy strategies.

Commissioners discussed two large redevelopment efforts described to the commission by a staff speaker familiar with Housing Authority plans: (1) a redevelopment under contract with Integral LLC for a combined project known to staff as Morrison Station that will replace Cooper River Courts and Meeting Street Extended; and (2) an anticipated, phased redevelopment of Gadsden Green under a ‘‘choice neighborhood’’ concept that includes soft services for residents and workforce supports. The speaker said existing households on properties undergoing demolition are guaranteed a right to return at prior public housing subsidy levels, and that projects will be phased to preserve housing during construction.

On homelessness, commissioners noted the Hope Center’s lease has been extended, providing additional time for planning. Neighbors Together — a nonprofit clearinghouse that matches landlords willing to accept subsidies with tenants — received city funding in the 2025 budget, a speaker said; the precise allocation amount was not specified during the meeting. Commissioners discussed the need for regional partnerships and funding commitments from neighboring counties to sustain any expanded regional homeless response.

Next steps recorded at the meeting: commissioners will refresh the housing subcommittee and schedule presentations from the Charleston Housing Authority and other housing stakeholders (timeline: commissioners suggested March for a detailed housing authority briefing). No formal votes or policy changes on housing or homelessness were taken during the meeting.","Commissioners urged reactivating a housing subcommittee to track large redevelopment projects, RAD conversions, homelessness planning and the Hope Center lease extension; Charleston Housing Authority developments Morrison Station and Gadsden Green were discussed.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6389397,"Human Affairs Commission will present annual report to City Council as legal review continues on Human Relations Commission role",477,153000,630000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113372-7966532fd9119843b1127d0b565abf6d&start=153&end=630","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113372-7966532fd9119843b1127d0b565abf6d/thumbnail_153000.jpg","/articles/6389397/Charleston-City/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Human-Affairs-Commission-will-present-annual-report-to-City-Council-as-legal-review-continues-on-Human-Relations-Commission-role","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6389397-ae81319df8ae4859eed43fcf7853d38f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160225&Signature=QFvAU7XCh4hcdmZ0A4r8rcPi1YI5B74C0cmwxhUFvewPKg08bsPQeU4XolDpHjBudE3EuuGSb9RK0TyiuRA~alDAV0vEzeOCQ8pZ0KUZdIFgoDmrtsD1AWAF0WhExlZGhHER7K-ryEou~1ynLdCC3hB1EM-UrCt~smak6u4qZ-oEUCTlCDtzvtJNzqYsG3Gq6xBvW5nh7pTbfWLdIEFUrw6t~BTVzh0eoqWwJWHeutsuhIuN-W4SsUd-2aM0Tqmq5dPb~ohvzwoLq9lMfS3MeJC0euHsSlkJrGVeklSm65OARZbQJBCSji2rQo1nbVX0nZ3bDfUm6aw0vs4HM83s5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Human Affairs and Race Reconciliation Commission will present its annual report to Charleston City Council on Jan. 28 after commissioners agreed to finalize a draft PowerPoint and memo for submission to the Clerk of Council by Jan. 21, Adrienne, staff member for the commission, said at the body’s first meeting of 2025.

The report, circulated to commissioners as a draft and stored in a shared Google Drive, will be a public document and commissioners discussed whether to include additional material on the Black Wall Street directory, the commission’s Human Affairs Working Group, and recent commentary on the Gaza conflict, Adrienne said. She asked commissioners who can attend the council presentation to indicate their availability so the Mayor’s Office can allocate sponsorship seats for the Martin Luther King Jr. business breakfast on Jan. 16.

The legal department has asked the commission to clarify a foundational question before the commission drafts a final recommendation: should the city pursue a community relations council model or an advisory-council model? That distinction, legal staff wrote and Adrienne summarized at the meeting, affects the commission’s operating model and the scope of its authority. Commissioners agreed Adrienne should prepare a decision memo with a recommended path and circulate it in time for debate at the commission’s February meeting.

Commissioners also confirmed a subcommittee will finalize the annual report and cover material and push the final packet to the Clerk no later than Jan. 21 so it can appear on council packets for the Jan. 28 meeting. Commissioners named a working group to support the Human Relations Commission decision process; membership was to be finalized after the meeting.

The manager’s report also included logistical items: Adrienne said the city, as a sponsor of the YWCA’s MLK business breakfast, has seats available and asked commissioners to indicate whether they had already purchased tickets.

What this means: The next steps are procedural and time‑sensitive. The commission must produce a clear recommendation for legal review about the form and authority of any Human Relations entity before it forwards a formal resolution to City Council. The timeline set at the meeting: (1) finalize the annual report draft and PowerPoint by Jan. 21; (2) present to council on Jan. 28; (3) Adrienne will deliver a decision memo recommending whether to pursue an advisory or a community relations model for legal to review ahead of February debate.

Commissioners and staff said they intend to return to the topic in February with a staff recommendation and proposed language for council consideration. No formal vote on the substance of the Human Relations Commission recommendation occurred at the meeting; the items were set for further work and a decision memo from staff.","Commission staff circulated a draft annual report and a PowerPoint and will present to City Council on Jan. 28; legal staff asked the commission to clarify whether it seeks a community relations or an advisory role before drafting any resolution.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission pushes for proactive outreach, small-business supports tied to April Minority Business Expo

Commissionors press for a refreshed housing workgroup as housing authority redevelopment and homelessness plans move forward

Human Affairs Commission will present annual report to City Council as legal review continues on Human Relations Commission role