AALC Events

On July 13, 2024, 50 young men of color gathered to spend their Saturday morning at the Trident United Way African American Leadership Council Pathways to Empowerment Youth Seminar, engaging with community leaders to learn how their dreams are realistic, achievable opportunities. brings Tri-County youth together with pillars of community excellence to learn how their dreams are realistic, achievable opportunities.

Panelists: Mayor Reggie Burgess - City of North Charleston, Chief Chito Walker - City of Charleston Police Department, Dr. Anthony Dixon - Superintendent, Berkeley County School District, Clay Middleton - Managing Director, Mercury Public Affairs

Moderator: Raphael James - Anchor and Reporter, Live 5 News

Over 1,150 books were collected for the Ninth Annual African American Leadership Council Book Drive. Trident United Way African American Leadership Council collected books to distribute to students at St. Stephen’s Elementary, EB Ellington Elementary and Mary Ford Early Learning & Family Center, providing children access to books to read over the summer months.

Members of the Trident United Way African American Leadership Council closed out 2023 Black History Month with a Sip & Serve Happy Hour at The Montague Room in North Charleston. Attendees assembled 100 care kits that were donated through the Virtual Care Kit Drive for nonprofit partner Sunflowers of HOPE, Inc. and connected with one another over delicious appetizers and cocktails. We enjoyed seeing so many new and familiar faces at the event - thank you to everyone who joined!

In 2023 the Trident United Way African American Leadership Council hosted a virtual Winter Coat Drive. Thanks to your generous support, we surpassed the goal of providing 100 winter coats to children from families in need. Coats were distributed through Trident United Way Berkeley Resource Connection Center and St. Paul's Food Pantry and Clothing Closet.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Trident United Way African American Leadership Council November Meet & Greet Happy Hour at Blue Tequila Tacos & Grill! It was wonderful to see so many new and familiar faces connect over upcoming opportunities to get involved.

Three Black women smiling, standing against a step and repeat with the Sharing Hope SC logo.

Trident United Way African American Leadership Council hosted a Lunch & Learn discussion on October 18, 2023 at the We Are Sharing Hope SC offices. Panelists from We Are Sharing Hope SC and MUSC provided insights into the organ and tissue donation process, from referral to aftercare family support, that opened a conversation with attendees around myths and misconceptions.

Thank you to our friends We Are Sharing Hope SC for graciously hosting us!

group of people gathered and posing for photo inside of a restaurant. The lighting is purple, everyone is smiling.

On August 31, 2023, AALC members had a fantastic evening connecting over cocktails at the Black Philanthropy Month Celebration at The Montague Room in North Charleston. We enjoyed seeing many current members and meeting new individuals from the community!

Group of one man and three women standing together and smiling inside of the International African American Museum

On August 1, 2023, members of the Trident United Way African American Leadership Council and Tocqueville Society gathered for a private tour and reception at the International African American Museum led by IAAM President & CEO Dr. Tonya Matthews and other team members. Attendees also had the opportunity to hear from AALC Chair Jennifer Brown, Tocqueville Society Chair Giff Daughtridge and TUW President & CEO DJ Hampton. 

Four women standing in front of the United Way logo behind a table of books, each with one in their hands at the book drive

The Trident United Way African American Leadership Council Eighth Annual Book Drive collected and distributed over 1,800 books to students in grades K-3rd at E.B. Ellington Elementary, Harleyville Elementary and St. Stephens Elementary. These books are provided to students to read when they are out of the classroom to help prevent the "summer slide" and ensure students will continue on their path to literacy. 

Three women each stand and holding a coat in front of the United Way logo during the coat drive

The Trident United Way African American Leadership Council 2022 Winter Coat Drive exceeded their goal of 97 coats, receiving a total of 107.
Donated coats were sorted and packed by members of the AALC Steering Committee and TUW staff, and delivered by the AALC Steering Committee to Harleyville Elementary School on Monday, where parents arrived in the morning to collect coats for their children. 

"Three speakers stand and smile. Left to right: Craig Logan, Esther Adams, Bill Standfield."

Trident United Way African American Leadership Council hosted a Lunch & Learn on October 27, 2022. The conversation focused on housing attainability and retention in the Tri-County area and the impact this is having on our community. Attendees heard from speakers Craig Logan (Housing Executive Fellow, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce), Bill Standfield (CEO of Metanoia) and Esther Adams (Manager of Strategic Initiatives, Center for Heirs' Property Preservation), and had the opportunity to ask speakers questions. Thank you to all of the attendees and speakers for participating in the Lunch & Learn and providing an incredibly insightful discussion.

"AALC's Monifa Ellington smiles and holds up two children's books: 'The Year We Learned to Fly' with cover art of a young black girl, and 'Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History' with a cover illustration of five black women."

Trident United Way African American Leadership Council collected 3,031 books for their 7th annual book drive. Books were distributed to 728 students ages Child Development through 3rd grade at E.B. Ellington Elementary School, North Charleston Elementary School and St. Stephens Elementary School. Thank you to everyone who participated and made this possible!

"Four people stand and smile for a picture. The two in the middle are award recipients Don Smith and Sonia Harrison holding up their plaques."

On May 11, 2022 the Trident United Way African American Leadership Council held the 2022 Member Celebration, honoring two community leaders and celebrating the seventh year of the AALC and their annual book drive. Don Smith, Hendrick Automotive Group, was recognized as the 2022 Community Leader and Sonia Hanson, SouthState Bank, was recognized as the 2022 Philanthropist of the Year. Raphael James, Anchor at WCSC Live 5 News was the event Emcee.

"AALC Member Don Smith stands in a mask in front of a school bus. He holds up a box labeled 'Fifth Annual Book Drive.'"

On June 3rd the Trident United Way African American Leadership Council distributed the 650 books collected during their 5th annual book drive to students ages kindergarten through 3rd grade at E.B. Ellington Elementary School in Ravenel. Thank you to everyone who participated and made this possible!

"A group of volunteers stands behind a bench smiling and holding cleaning supplies. Two volunteers sit on the bench next to a life-size statue that sits on the bench of character Ronald McDonald."

On February 29th Trident United Way's African American Leadership Council brought out a hard working group to do some much needed spring cleaning at the Ronald McDonald house. The group dusted A LOT in several guest rooms and common areas as well as cleaned and polished all the glass around the three stairwells, balcony on second floor, and offices. Thank you to everyone who came out to make the house sparkling clean!

"A group of about 20 volunteers stand and smile in front of a large wall mural featuring multiple illustrations."

AALC Party with a Purpose attendees packed 179 boxes of food in about 25 minutes! The food boxes, that will be distributed to Tri-Country area senior citizens, totaled 3,850 pounds!

"Sonia Hanson and Don Smith stand and smile as Smith holds up his recently received award certificate."

Members of Trident United Way's African American Leadership Council gathered together to celebrate a year of success and honor three special members.

"A group of important people to the event stand and smile in front of a printed Trident United Way background. Three people sitting in front hold up award certificates."

Members of Trident United Way's African American Leadership Council gathered together to celebrate a year of success and honor three special members.

"Four children sit on a classroom rug and excitedly open their own small bag of children's books labeled with the Trident United Way logo."

Trident United Way's African American Leadership Council held its fourth annual book drive in April and May and collected a record number 1,657 books! These books were distributed to 342 children in 20 classrooms at St. Stephen Elementary, Burns Elementary, and North Charleston Elementary. Providing new books ahead of summer break will help children combat summer slide and keep them reading year-round.

"Volunteer stands next to a small cart of cardboard boxes and smiles."

Trident United Way's African-American Leadership Council distributed books they collected in its 3rd annual book drive to classrooms at North Charleston Elementary in conjunction with Teacher Appreciation Week. AALC collected more than 500 books this year that were distributed to pre-k children!