HARTSVILLE, SC – Hartsville’s newest nonprofit, And Still We Rise, had its first Kindergarten Countdown Friday. Their mission is to prepare children in 4k and 5k for their first school experience.
Downtown Hartsville was bustling with families preparing to send their children off to school for the first time.
The celebration included free admission to the EdVenture Children’s Museum, free food, a mobile playroom, bounce houses, eye screenings, hearing screenings, dental checkups and free haircuts for the kids.
Jabari Clyburn, who created the event, said he felt compelled to create an organization to honor his late great-grandfather’s legacy.
“My great-grandfather was one of the first black business owners in Hartsville,” he said. “His entrepreneurship was established during a time when African-Americans faced the daily humiliation of Jim Crow. The community of Hartsville believed in my grandfather’s vision and supported him in the most difficult times and we wanted to give back to the community that believed in him.”
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Clyburn said the event was made possible by First Steps of South Carolina. South Carolina First Steps is a statewide agency that works in partnership to ensure that all children start school ready to reach their full potential with the committed support of their parents, caregivers and communities. He said he was confident the event would continue next year.
“Our event was an extended reminder that parents are their child’s first and most important teacher,” Clyburn said. “When children are supported by family figures during their transitions from early childhood to kindergarten, they experience less stress and are more likely to thrive in their new learning environment.”
Clyburn said his desire for the nonprofit was to eventually give back to Hartsville.
“I Still We Rise was established by my family who are deeply rooted in Hartsville,” he said. Our commitment to creating change and growth in our community is personal. Hartsville is a town that defines us more than anything else. We want to make sure that the upbringing of the next generation of Hartsville is as pure and encouraging as my grandfather’s was.”
Clyburn said it was important to offer free haircuts and dental care because it gives kids confidence, and confidence is essential to success.
“Proper care and oral care sometimes seem to be attributed to everyone, but that’s not always the case,” he said. “Our celebration today has ensured that this opportunity is provided to some of the most vulnerable children in our community.”
Clyburn said her family has always been and always will be a family of service.
“I Still We Rise harnesses my family’s collective appetite to serve our community,” she said. “We deeply believe that the intimacy of such a small town demonstrates the great impact that service can have within a community. Hartsville is home and will always be taken care of.
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