Chandra Dillard
SC House of Representatives, District 23 (D)
Chandra Dillard is the Director of Community Relations for Furman University. A graduate of Winthrop College, in 1999 she was the first women elected to serve on Greenville City Council from District three. She is now in her third term of office. Having completed the requirements for a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University, her degree will be awarded August 2008. Chandra is a graduate of the Richard W. Riley Diversity Leadership Academy of Furman University 2004, Leadership Greenville Class XXVI and Leadership SC 2007. Ms. Dillard served as Chairman of the City’s Public Services/Administration Committee in 2000-2003 and Chairman the Quality of Life/Environment Committee 2004-2005. She is the Council liaison to the Greenville Housing Authority.
Highlights of her political career to date include but are not limited to obtaining the City’s first federal appropriation of $900,000 for community development allocated for neighborhood infrastructure improvements, the redevelopment of Richland Cemetery to National historic status- the oldest African-American Cemetery in Greenville; her leadership in taking the Nicholtown community through a master planning process which lead to a partnership with the Greenville Housing Authority to secure Greenville’s second HOPEVI grant of $20 million dollars for community redevelopment. She also organized the I-385 taskforce to provide landscaping infrastructure enhancements for this city gateway corridor. She chaired the committee to erect Greenville’s first African-American statue in downtown Greenville.
Chandra is very engaged in providing community service to her local community and State by serving on the following boards: Municipal Association of South Carolina, Conference of Black Municipal Elected Officials, South Carolina taskforce for Affordable and Workforce Housing, Greenville Housing Fund, The University Center of Greenville Board of Visitors just to name a few. Chandra has been recognized for her work in the community and has received the following awards and honors: Chamber of Commerce Athena Award 2006, Greenville Magazine’s 50 most influential leaders 2007, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Citizen of the Year Award 2008 and Women Making History Award Recipient 2008.
On June 10th Chandra became the Democratic nominee for the District 23 seat for the South Carolina House of Representatives. Defeating a twelve year incumbent, she is well on her way to continuing her work to produce affordable and workforce housing, provide innovation in education and to foster economic development through infrastructure improvements for all South Carolinians.
Here are Ms. Dillards's answers to some questions posed by the Institute.
What is your leadership style?
I consider my leadership style to be one centered upon collaboration and partnerships. I believe it is important to invite all stakeholders into the governance process to insure all voices are heard and to gain support for an effective outcome.
With so few women in elected office here in SC what do you foresee to be your greatest challenge once elected to public office?
Being able to impress upon the establishment that a having women at the table is an asset. We bring a different perspective to issues often accompanied by unique solutions to tackle the tough issues but may of unappreciated due to a critical mass of women in the process.
Has there been a woman who you've admired in the political world and what it about her that gives you courage to run the race?
Over the last eight years of serving on Greenville City Council I've had the pleasure of working with a majority of women on our Council (Michelle Shain, Deb Sofield, Lillian Brock Flemming, Diane Smock). These women are all so diverse but leaders in their own right. They showed me how to use my voice to make a difference, how to trust the process albeit messy for a productive outcome, and how to have staying power when times get tough. They are my motivation and inspiration. They're my heros!
Has political office been a life long goal/dream of yours?
Not really. I've always been fascinated with the political process. In my early days I always saw myself as being a “supporter” of good candidates. Then one day I realized sometimes if you want something done; you need to do it yourself - including running for office.
Your mother always said...
She didn't raise no fool!
To learn more, visit Chandra Dillard's Website - www.chandradillard.com