South-Carolina
South Carolina to honor African American hero with a statue
South Carolina is preparing to honor Robert Smalls, a former slave who became a prominent political leader, by erecting the first statue of an individual African American on its Statehouse lawn.
Smalls, famous for his daring escape during the Civil War, will be recognized for his broader contributions to racial equality and education.
In 1862, still in his early twenties, Smalls commandeered a Confederate ship, the CSS Planter, and sailed it to Union lines, securing freedom for himself, his family, and a dozen others.
After the war, he served five terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and helped rewrite South Carolina’s Constitution to grant Black men equality.
“The man has done so many great things; it’s just a travesty he has not been honored until now. Heck, it’s also a travesty there isn’t some big Hollywood movie out there about his life,” said Democratic state Representative Jermaine Johnson.
AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins
Unanimous Approval
Despite years of resistance, the bill to build the statue passed the state House and Senate unanimously in 2024.
“South Carolina is a great state. We’ve got a lot of history, good and bad. This is our good history,” Republican state Representative Brandon Cox, who co-sponsored the bill, said.
A committee will finalize the design and location by January 15, 2025.
“The best way to sum up Robert Smalls’ life is it was a fight for freedom—as a slave, as a pilot, and as a statesman,” said Republican state Senator Chip Campsen.
Smalls’ Escape From Slavery
Library of Congress via AP
Smalls, born into slavery in 1839 in Beaufort, South Carolina, died in 1915 as a free man.
Rewriting South Carolina’s Constitution during the Reconstruction Era saw him help secure rights for African Americans, later reversed by white supremacists.
Supporters hope the statue will help reshape how South Carolina remembers its role in the Civil War and Reconstruction.
His life, from escaping slavery to fighting for equality, reflects the struggle for civil rights in the United States.
Ideas for what the statue could look like vary—is Smalls best recognized for his courageous act or his later years as a statesman?
Countering Confederate History
AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins
There is also debate over where the statue should stand.
The South Carolina Statehouse currently features monuments to Confederate figures like “Pitchfork” Ben Tillman, who helped dismantle Reconstruction Era gains. Some have suggested placing Smalls’ statue near these, creating a symbolic counterpoint.
“Robert Smalls writes a new future for this county that in the moment no one can see is happening,” said Chris Barr, the Chief of Interpretation for the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park in Beaufort, while standing beside a bust of Smalls near his grave, the Associated Press reported.
Fundraising proceedings can begin to fulfill the vision once the statue’s design and location are determined.
“We have to get the narrative right,” said South Carolina Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey.
“This is going to tell a story, and I think it’s important that we honor him and South Carolina the right way.”
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
An 87-year-old businessman in Columbia, South Carolina says he has no plans to retire.
Leonard Fabrizio works as a retailer at Brittons of Columbia, a locally-owned men’s clothing store.
“I’m not the type of person who can sit around by myself,” said Fabrizio. “I just enjoy the interaction and that’s the big thing, is the interaction with people. It’s always been the drive in this business for me, said Fabrizio.
Fabrizio’s retail career began as a college student when he worked at J.C. Penney. He has watched Columbia grow and has owned a store and managed several others.
His advice is to “Be patient. It takes time to build a business. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s rewarding. It’s fun. But you have to have compassion for the business.”
Fabrizio recently celebrated another birthday alongside those who have supported his career.
(WPDE) — June 9 marked International Batten Disease Awareness Day, shining a light on a rare, inherited neurodegenerative disorder.
It primarily affects children and causes harmful waste material to build up inside the cells of the brain and nervous system.
One South Carolina family used the day to raise awareness as their 2-year-old son, Sam Stockton, lives with CLN2 Batten disease.
Sam was diagnosed at 16 weeks old, and his family says they travel every other week for enzyme-replacement therapy while also searching for clinical research opportunities.
Through Hope for Sam, the family is working to spread information about Batten disease and support other families facing rare diseases.
“Just the more you know about rare diseases, I never knew that over 300 million people worldwide live with rare diseases. And that means there’s less access to care because people aren’t researching it and not as many people have it. So the more information that’s out there, we feel is the better,” Jordan Stockton said.
There are 13 known types of Batten disease, and there is no cure. Researchers estimate the disease affects about two to four out of every 100,000 births in the United States.
The Stockton family says they have found support through the Batten Disease Support, Research and Advocacy Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families navigate the disease while providing resources.
More information and donation details are available at this link.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Contestants in the 2026 Miss South Carolina and Miss South Carolina’s Teen competitions will showcase their talents on Thursday at the Township Auditorium.
Miss South Carolina’s Teen’s Got Talent is set to begin at 5 p.m., followed by Miss South Carolina’s Got Talent at 7 p.m.
READ MORE | Miss South Carolina kicks off with preliminary rounds
The talent competitions are part of the weeklong Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization competition, which brings delegates from across the state to Columbia to compete for scholarships and the opportunity to represent South Carolina on the national stage.
READ MORE | Miss South Carolina’s Teen preliminary round begins
Contestants competed in fitness, evening wear, and onstage question preliminaries on Wednesday, while Miss South Carolina’s Teen contestants completed their preliminary competition on Tuesday.
Preliminary winners include:
Preliminary Fitness Award winners:
- Jenna Huggins, Miss Clemson
- Lindsay Jones, Miss Charleston
- Reagan McMahon, Miss Chapin
Preliminary Evening Gown Award winners:
- Mary Kimball Osborn, Miss Palmetto
- Chelby Drafts, Miss Golden Corner
- Reagan McMahon, Miss Chapin
Teen Preliminary Fitness Award winners:
- Alissa Claire Rhodes, Miss Fox Creek High School’s Teen
- Kamryn Mathis, Miss Greer High School’s Teen
- Logan Wells, Miss Palmetto’s Teen
Teen Preliminary Evening Gown Award winners:
- Logan Wells, Miss Palmetto’s Teen
- Cleo Floyd-Johnstone, Miss Ballentine’s Teen
- Kursten Long, Miss Newberry’s Teen
The Miss South Carolina’s Teen finals are set for Friday night, while the Miss South Carolina finals will take place Saturday.
Watch the 2026 Miss South Carolina Competition LIVE at 8:00 PM on Saturday, June 20. Tune in on WACH FOX 57 in Columbia, ABC 4 in Charleston, ABC 15 in Myrtle Beach/Florence, and My40 in the Upstate.
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