Historical Perspective

Based upon the 2000 Census, South Carolina's population is becoming more diverse.  Whether you travel to the rural areas of the State or visit one of the metropolitan areas, it is no longer the norm to see only black and white faces.  Everywhere you go, you see persons from Latin America, Asia, and other counties providing services and often speaking languages unfamiliar to many South Carolinians.  This report specifically focuses on the fastest growing segment of the United States population, the Hispanic/Latino community, and how that growth is also being experienced here in  South Carolina.

During the Summer of 2000, Ms. Sandra Owens, Community Liaison with the City of West Columbia, met with Governor Jim Hodges to discuss the needs of the growing Hispanic/Latino population.  As a result of that meeting,  the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs was contacted by Ms. Leah Moody, Deputy Legal Counsel for the Governor's Office, and asked  to facilitate discussions with the Hispanic/Latino community to identify ways to better meet the needs of this growing population.  To fulfill the Commission's role, the staff identified persons from throughout the state from various backgrounds, who interacted daily or were knowledgeable about the culture, language and needs of the Hispanic/Latino population.  It would be their responsibility  to identify barriers to the delivery of services to this primarily non-English speaking population, and  to advise Governor Jim Hodges of their needs.

The first meeting of what became known as the Hispanic/Latino Ad Hoc Committee was held on Monday, July 24, 2000.  Thereafter, the Ad Hoc Committee agreed to meet monthly.  After a year long process of meeting and gathering information, this report reflects the findings and recommendations of the members of the Ad Hoc Committee.  This report is not intended to be the final study of this matter, but only a beginning of what should become an ongoing process to address the changing needs of the growing Hispanic/Latino population. 

Special thanks is extended to all persons who served on the Hispanic/Latino Ad Hoc Committee.  Whether that service was limited or extensive, your comments and contributions were appreciated.

Additionally, special thanks to more than 500 persons from the Hispanic/Latino community who attended four community forums and shared information with members of the Ad Hoc Committee for the purpose of developing this report.  Also, thanks goes to the many persons from state agencies and other organizations who participated on subcommittees and made many of the recommendations contained in this report. 

Finally, we recognize the hard work of the staff from the Governor's Office and the Commission for Minority Affairs (CMA), who administratively supported the work of the Committee.  They are:

Ms. Leah B. Moody, Esq. Deputy Legal Counsel Office of the Governor	Mr. Robert Coaxum Special Projects Coordinator Office of the Governor	Ms. Janie A. Davis Executive Director Commission for Minority Affairs
Mr. Thomas J. Smith Administrative Coordinator Commission for Minority Affairs	Mr. Bobby Tucker Program Coordinator Commission for Minority Affairs	Ms. Ann Johnson Research Analyst Commission for Minority Affairs
Ms. Dawn Jennings Fiscal Technician Commission for Minority Affairs	Ms. Yoko Harris Administrative Assistant Commission for Minority Affairs	Mr. Jorge A. "Tony" Perdomo Student Intern Commission for Minority Affairs
Ms. Carol Rawlings Temporary Secretary Commission for Minority Affairs