South-Carolina

South Carolina to honor African American hero with a statue

Published

6 months ago

October 23, 2024

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.

A bust of Robert Smalls displayed Reconstruction Era National Historic Park in Beaufort, South Carolina, on September 12. Smalls will soon be the first African American person with a statue at the South Carolina Statehouse

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

South Carolina Robert Smalls Statue — A portrait of Robert Smalls from between 1870 and 1880. The unanimous passage of the bill to honor Smalls marks a significant shift in South Carolina’s recognition of its history.

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

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.

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South-Carolina

South Carolina Transfer Sakima Walker Commits to Cal Women’s Basketball

Published

11 hours ago

April 28, 2025

Press Room

South Carolina Transfer Sakima Walker Commits to Cal Women’s Basketball

South Carolina transfer Sakima Walker announced on social media on Saturday that she had committed to Cal’s women’s basketball program.

.The 6-foot-5 Walker played in 15 games for the Gamecocks this past season and averaged 1.4 points and 0.7 rebounds. In 2023-24 she played in 31 games and had one start while averaging 2.0 points and 1.3 rebounds.

In Walker’s two seasons at South Carolina, the Gamecoack were national champions in 2024 and national runnersup this season.

Cal will be the third four-year school for Walker, who played her first two college seasons at Rutgers. She is a graduate transfer with one year of eligibility remaining.

Walker is the first of several transfers Cal coach Charmin Smith is expected to bring in this offseason. Smith has had success with transfers, and they contributed to the 2024-25 Cal team that went 25-9 and got to the NCAA tournament..

Trusting God’s plan EVERY step of the way. Grateful for where I’ve been, excited for where i’m going. #GoBears🐻 #thisonespersonal pic.twitter.com/a2IxX9LI0z
— Sakima Walker (@SakimaWalker) April 26, 2025

Zahra King, who was a promising freshman on the Cal women’s basketball team this past season before entering the transfer portal, has committed to SMU, according to multiple sites.

Cal has had five players from the 2024-25 squad enter the transfer portal – King, Marta Suarez, Kamryn Mafua, Claudia Langarita and Natalia Ackerman – and three of them – King (SMU), Suarez (TCU) and Mafua (Utah) – have committed to new schools.

Cal coach Charmin Smith has not yet brought anyone in from the transfer portal, but that undoubtedly will change over the coming weeks. Smith has had success pulling in transfers who contributed to the 2024-25 team that went 25-9 and got to the NCAA tournament.

King did not play a lot for Cal this past season, averaging 8.2 minutes, 2.8 points and 1.3 rebounds in the 19 games she did play. But she did show potential.

Now she joins an SMU team that is overhauling its roster through the transfer portal under new head coach Adia Barnes, who previously was Arizona’s head coach. The Mustangs had nine players leave through the transfer portal since the end of the 2024-25 season, but they have brought in 10 transfers.

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South Carolina Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for April 26, 2025

Published

1 day ago

April 27, 2025

Press Room

South Carolina Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for April 26, 2025

The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at April 26, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from April 26 drawing

01-12-14-18-69, Powerball: 02, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from April 26 drawing

Midday: 3-9-8, FB: 9

Evening: 4-5-5, FB: 0

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from April 26 drawing

Midday: 8-4-7-9, FB: 9

Evening: 7-2-2-7, FB: 0

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 26 drawing

Midday: 09

Evening: 12

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from April 26 drawing

11-12-25-37-39

Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from April 26 drawing

12-20-26-38-40, Powerball: 05

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:

For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.

Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.

SC Education Lottery

P.O. Box 11039

Columbia, SC 29211-1039

For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.

Columbia Claims Center

1303 Assembly Street

Columbia, SC 29201

Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.

For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.

When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form. Our News Automation and AI team would love to hear from you. Take this survey and share your thoughts with us.

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