July 10, 2018: Melissa Maddox-Evans, General Counsel for the Charleston Housing Authority and member of the Leadership Team of Social Justice Racial Equity Collaborative joined us this past Tuesday to speak on the topic of “Understanding the City of Charleston’s Slavery Apology: Providing Background and Vision Forward“. Melissa began by introducing the Social Justice Racial Equity Collaborative and how it came to be. In the wake of the Mother Emmanuel Church tragedy, an urgent need for systemic change around racial justice in Charleston was recognized. The Social Justice Racial Equity Collaborative was formed to promote a just, sustainable, and thriving community where all people of all races are empowered to fulfill their human potential. The Collaborative’ s strategy is to work from the inside out, recognizing that true change comes from acknowledging our interdependence and shared humanity. Using a collaborative approach, they gathered leaders and engagement partners to help create community initiatives that promote justice and racial equity. Melissa indicated that the major areas that need focus for true social and racial equality are:
Access to quality education for all
Ending discriminatory policing
Gun violence prevention
Access to affordable and adequate healthcare
Assure housing affordability
Expand Voting Rights
Economic justice and competitive wages

With this background, she continued on how the City of Charleston’s Slavery Apology came to be. Discussions started with the plans for the new African American Museum and what it means. The City Charleston was the place where nearly half of all slaves entered North America. Not only that, but Charleston profited through legislation from slaves and the work slaves did. They approached City officials to see if they were interested. They then prepared a draft of the apology to which the City created a working group to review and rewrite. Other cities and states have drafted similar resolutions but it was important that this was not merely a symbolic gesture but also addressed where we go from here. This would not be an apology from an individual but an apology made on behalf of the City of Charleston for its role in “regulating, supporting and fostering slavery and the resulting atrocities inflicted by the institution of slavery”.
With 170 endorsements, 45 speakers, Mayoral research and support, 2 hour debate and a final vote of 7-5, on June 19 or “Juneteenth” 2018, City Council adopted the Resolution:
RECOGNIZING, DENOUNCING AND APOLOGIZING ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CHARLESTON FORTHE CITY’S ROLE IN REGULATING, SUPPORTING AND FOSTERING SLAVERY AND THE RESULTINGATROCITIES INFLICTED BY THE INSTITUTION OF SLAVERY AND FURTHER, COMMITTING TOCONTINUE TO PURSUE INITIATIVES THAT HONOR THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THOSE WHO WEREENSLAVED AND THAT ASSIST IN AMELIORATING REMAINING VESTIGES OF SLAVERY.
This was the first step in truth, racial healing and transformation.
She concluded with this quote: “It’s a dream as old and as important as our democracy itself: a country where we all embrace our common humanity and children of every race and ethnicity have equal opportunities to thrive.”
— Don Baus, Keyway Editor
IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
• Ja’net Bishop gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
• Bill Christian introduced our Visiting Rotarians and guests.
• President Alex Dallis presented Health and Happiness.
• President-Elect Sandy Morckel introduced our speaker, Melissa Maddox-Evans, whose topic of discussion was “Understanding the City of Charleston’s Slavery Apology Project: Providing Background and Vision Forward”
MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY
July 24, 2018 | Issue 4897 | President: Alex Dallis
COMING EVENTS
- July 24 – Noah Leask, Ishpi, Cyber Security
- July 31 – Angela & Dave Muirhead, Beautiful Gate Center
- August 7 – District Governor David Tirad
- August 14 – Jacobo Mintzer, Roper Innovation
- August 21 – Cheryl Irwin, 9/11 Survivor
NEWS BRIEFS
Final Meeting at Riley Park this Tuesday

Hall’s Signature Events, 5 Faber St., Charleston, S.C.
This Tuesday will be our final meeting at Riley Park. It has been a wonderful year and we will truly miss our outstanding ballpark and marsh views! Starting with our meeting on Tuesday, July 31, we will make our new home at Hall’s Signature Events at 5 Faber Street. We are excited about our new meeting venue and hope you will support us in this venue change.
Board Meeting
The Board of Directors will meet this Tuesday, July 24 at 11am in Suite 401 at Riley Park.
Rotary District Alzheimer’s Gala
Rotary District Alzheimer’s Gala to raise money for Alzheimer’s research is scheduled for Saturday, July 28, 2018 at the Charleston Marriott in Charleston, South Carolina. It is a black tie optional event and designed to provide you with a great experience, as well as an opportunity to contribute to the funding of research to find a cure for Alzheimer’s.
MEMBER NEWS
Proposed New Members
The following membership candidates have submitted an application and signed letter of agreement to the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston:
Peter Arnstein – sponsor: Heidi Finniff, classification: Executive Coaching/Consulting
Kathryn Whitaker – sponsor: Lisa Van Bergen, classification: Law/Business Development
In the event you know Peter or Kathryn, please tell a member of the Board how he/she will serve the ideas of Rotary.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Rotarian: Meredith Mixson
• Joined: 2018
• Sponsor: Tom Leonard
• Membership Involvement: New Red Badge Member
• Classification: Commercial Banking
• Profession: Relationship Manager, Wells Fargo Business Banking
• Something Unique About Yourself: I love to cook and I have a garden in my backyard.
Birthdays
• July 26 – Andy Brack
• July 30 – Frank Bullard
By the numbers
Attendance on July 17, 2018: 66
Not in attendance: Allen, Baggs, Barry, Barton, Berlin, Bickley, Bodkin, Brack, Bullard, Buzon, Carico, Channell, Coe, Coghill, Cole, Cooper, E., Cooper, M., Crouch, Deavenport, DeGraff, Dewey, Dopp, Drafts, Dukes, Dymek, Echols, Embry, Geffert, Gill, Hart, Holmes, Hudnall, Husser, Kaiser, Kaynard, Kerrigan, Krumwiede, LaMotte, Livingston, Lucy, Marty, McGhee, Mitchell, Mixson, Pate, Plotner, Raver, Rich, Rust, Schmidt, Sidebottom, Stokes, Strickland, Sullivan, Taylor, E., Tecklenburg, John, Tecklenburg, Joseph, Teller, Thomas, Webb
Out of Town Make-ups: None
WELLNESS TIP
Serve seafood
Summer is the ideal time to get the freshest catch from your local grocer. Grill salmon, tuna, lobster, steamer clams, and calamari for a low-calorie, protein-packed lunch or dinner.
AREA CLUB MEETINGS
Mondays
- Summerville – Oakbrook: 7:30 a.m., Monday, Westcott County Club, 5000 Wescott Club Drive, North Charleston
- North Charleston: 12:30 a.m., Monday, Hilton Garden Inn, 5265 International Blvd, North Charleston.
- Summerville Evening: 5:30 p.m., Monday, Montreux Bar and Grill, 127 W. Richardson Ave., Summerville
Tuesdays
- East Cooper Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Cooper River Room at Waterfront Park, Mount Pleasant
- Charleston: 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, The Riley Park Club, Charleston
- Goose Creek: 12:45 m. Tuesday, Gilligan’s, 219 St. James Ave., Goose Creek
Wednesdays
- Daniel Island: 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Daniel Island Club, 600 Island Park Dr., Daniel Island
- St. John’s Parish (John’s Island): 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, 2817 Maybank Highway, Unit 1, John’s Island
- Mount Pleasant: 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, Harbor Breeze Restaurant, 176 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant
- Summerville: 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sticky Fingers, Summerville
Thursdays
- North Charleston Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Embassy Suites, 5055 International Blvd., North Charleston
- Moncks Corner: 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Gilligan’s Restaurant, Moncks Corner
- St. Andrews (West Ashley): 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Bessinger’s BBQ, 1602 Savannah Highway, Charleston.
Fridays
- Charleston Breakfast: 7:30 a.m., Friday, Harbour Club, 35 Prioleau St., Charleston
SOCIAL MEDIA
Our Rotary club actively uses social media — and we encourage you to interact with us through social media.
- We’re on Facebook. Take a look at our page and be sure to “like us”.
- We’re on Twitter. You can follow us @chasrotaryclub.
ABOUT THE KEYWAY
The Keyway has been published weekly as a newsletter for the Rotary Club of Charleston for more than 90 years.
- President: Alex Dallis
- Keyway editor: Don Baus [email protected]
- Executive secretary: Carroll Schweers, [email protected]
- Mailing address: Rotary Club of Charleston, P.O. Box 21029 ,Charleston, SC 29413-1029
- Copyright 2018, Rotary Club of Charleston. All rights reserved.