Sumterite, USC professor to host 2nd-annual Sumter Community Education Forum to help families with scholarships, tutoring, more

Kendall Deas loves South Carolina and his hometown of Sumter and says he feels his purpose in life is to make public education better in the state.

In that vein, Deas, a University of South Carolina professor in the Department of African American Studies, spoke this week on leading and moderating a second-annual Sumter Community Education Forum on Saturday, Nov. 2, at his home church, Church of the Holy Comforter.

Like last year, the focus of the forum is to help parents and children learn about opportunities across the spectrum of education to include scholarships and tutoring.

A lifelong educator, Deas is also director of the nonprofit, grassroots group Quality Education Project, whose purpose is to educate citizens on the importance of investing in public education and critical education policy issues, he said.

Panelists will include Raymond Watkins of Central Carolina Technical College; Kay Rhoads, previously of CCTC and Morris College; Tavita Herriott and Lovetta Wilson, both of Sumter School District; Carol and George Temple, both of Quality Education Project; and others.

According to Deas, many scholarship opportunities are available, but "so many high school students fall between the cracks oftentimes because they do not follow up on the information," he said.

"So, it is good to have a space where that information can be placed maybe in the hands of a parent, who might have a student who is qualified for it," Deas added. "They can be a link to get the information into the hands of their children."

Deas is a product of public schools in South Sumter and graduated from Sumter High School and said the resources are here for students to succeed if they take advantage of them.

Last year, the forum was held just before the Thanksgiving holiday, and Deas said he hopes that having it earlier on the calendar will help attendance.

The Saturday, Nov. 2, forum will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Parish Hall at Church of the Holy Comforter, 213 N. Main St., in downtown Sumter. A question-and-answer session will also be part of the forum, and the event will conclude with attendees having the opportunity to meet with the panelists for more in-depth conversations, he said. There is no cost to attend, and lunch will be provided by Mary Ann's Deli.

BOX:

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Sumter Community Education Forum

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 2, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

WHERE: Church of the Holy Comforter, 213 N. Main St., Parish Hall

No cost to attend. Lunch will be provided.