After Cynthia Byrd’s youngest son, Brandon, died in an automobile accident she turned her grief into an effort to meet the needs of other people’s children through a philosophy that she calls “Remembering Through Giving.”
A single mother working two jobs, Byrd started with a school supply drive at Seven Oaks Elementary School that garnered more than 3,000 school supply items and raised $1,000 to purchase new books. She then embarked on a mission to honor her son’s memory by soliciting more than 500 individual, small gifts for Richland County Public Library.
To address a need in the community for family-centered events, she organized an annual fashion and talent show to engage African-American youth by focusing on their strengths. In addition, she has established a college scholarship fund in her son’s memory that has enabled 10 college freshmen since 2011 to receive scholarships.
To address a need in the community for family-centered events, she organized an annual fashion and talent show to engage African-American youth by focusing on their strengths.
Central Carolina Community Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications through March 5, 2022, for the 2022-2023 school year. More than 200 scholarship opportunities are available, totaling over $500,000. Interested students... Read More
The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve are known as “the giving season,” a time for good cheer, good times and goodwill. They are also a time of reflection. Read More
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