ABOUT THE UPSTATE DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP AWARDS
The Upstate Diversity Leadership Awards is the first and largest event of its kind in South Carolina. The event is a product of an Upstate Diversity Leaders Initiative Class 2 group project, where Riley Fellows envisioned an annual event honoring outstanding individuals and organizations in the Upstate who are moving the needle forward.
The annual event is hosted by the Greenville Chamber and the Riley Institute at Furman in partnership with the Anderson, Fountain Inn, and Spartanburg Chambers of Commerce. For more information, visit riley.furman.edu/diversity/diversity-dinner/divers….
ABOUT BEREA HIGH SCHOOL
From embracing culture to igniting student interest and encouraging the learning of new skills, Berea High School works tirelessly to support and celebrate diversity. Of Berea High School’s current enrollment of 1,060 students, 438 are Hispanic/Latino, 280 are African-American, 275 are Caucasian and 67 are other nationalities.
Because of the gap between minority students and their white counterparts attending college, Berea High offers several programs to keep their students on the path for continuing education including participation in Clemson University’s Tiger Alliance program, Furman University’s Bridges to a Brighter Future and on-site college access program, Bulldog Run.
Berea High also employs a bilingual parent facilitator to assist with Spanish speaking parents who speak little to no English. In addition to providing school communication, the facilitator has set up numerous mentoring programs and community connections.
The school’s Newcomer program provides core classes and a full load of ESOL and elective classes during their first school year before being streamlined into conventional high school courses.
Riley Institute