#BDP Foundation #Education Center #Corridor of Shame

Community Leaders Launch New Education Center in Clarendon County

In the heart of rural Clarendon County, South Carolina, marked by its sandy roads and a stark history of educational struggle, community leaders have banded together to foster hope. The recent opening of a new education center is a testament to their commitment to improving the lives of local students.

Aiming for Change

On May 24, 2025, the Briggs, DeLaine, Pearson Foundation (BDP) unveiled a state-of-the-art 4,000 sq. ft. education center in Summerton, SC, right next to Dr. Rose H. Wilder Elementary and Scotts Branch High School. This center aims to provide vital services such as after-school mentoring, homework assistance, vocational training, counseling, and nutritious meals free of charge for students from various age groups.

The BDP Foundation, founded in 1993, was established to honor the Briggs v. Elliott case, a pivotal legal challenge that sought to end educational segregation in South Carolina. Marguirite DeLaine, the chairman of the BDP Foundation and a retired teacher who grew up in Clarendon County, emphasized the urgent need for such support in light of the challenges the existing educational infrastructure faces.

Addressing Educational Challenges

Currently, the local school system is facing significant struggles, reflected by the startling mathematics proficiency rate of just 40% and a reading proficiency of 63% as reported for Scotts Branch High School. The demographic composition reveals that about 95% of the students are African American and most qualify for free lunch programs, depicting the extent of poverty affecting the community.

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