I was sexually assaulted the summer I graduated high school. There were no cell phones or video cameras to chronicle it. No counselors or confidants with whom I felt comfortable sharing it. I told no one, but God. Now, a little over 30 years later, I don’t remember the exact date, time or location of the assault. But I’ll never forget the pain, hurt, guilt, shame and fear he caused. And no, I never reported it. Who was I gonna tell? Certainly not my dad who had finally allowed Read more [...]

Did you know, the “disturbing schools” charge has been levied against SC students well over 33,000 times in the last 15 years? Please join us next Thursday to discuss the "disturbing" consequences of this law and what we can do to fix it. Disturbing Schools Town Hall When:           Thursday, March 9th, 2017  Where:         Richland County Library Village at Sandhills 763 Fashion Dr, Columbia, SC 29223 Time:            6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. sponsored Read more [...]

Kids have been clowning, misbehaving and disturbing schools since the beginning of time. I can remember harmless high school pranks and countless warnings from teachers, which usually led to a double-dose of punishment—since the news always beat me home. Back then, misbehavior wasn’t tolerated…but it wasn’t a crime. Being obnoxious, boisterous or defiant might’ve warranted a parent/teacher conference or afterschool detention, but not an arrest. Cursing in class or refusing to Read more [...]

Did you know that nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner each year? Please join us during Love is Respect week, for our first annual: Teen Dating Violence Town Hall When: Thursday, February 16, 2017  Where: Ridge View Auditorium 4801 Hard Scrabble Road Columbia, SC 29229 Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. sponsored by: Sen. Mia McLeod and the RVHS Scholars Academy Magnet Students in partnership with: Sen. Katrina Shealy Rep. Read more [...]

Fighting for equity, parity, transparency and accountability has never been a political "platform" for me. It's a promise I made to myself and to you when I was elected to the SC House in 2010. That promise is what fuels my passion, persistence and relentless pursuit of truth, justice, accountability and change. It's not hard to do the right thing. Too many elected and appointed leaders just don't. And sadly, there's not much you can do about it. Truth is...the longer we stay in office, Read more [...]