About us
Our Mission
To achieve our organizational purpose the AASC Historic Commission, Inc. efforts will include the following:
· Protect and preserve the existing characteristics of African American Settlement Communities and enhance the quality of life for current and future generations of residents of the African American Settlement Communities.
· Nurture and support a strong sense of community, identity, history, and economic development both within the African American Settlement Communities and the larger region, including the Gullah Geechee Corridor.
· Support the traditions of land ownership, which have connected families with their land for many generations, and provide the various resources that will allow harmonious growth, including land use regulations that are consistent and compatible with the existing characteristics of the individual African American Settlement Communities.
Our Board
Officers
President – Freddie Jenkins
Vice President – Ed Lee
Secretary - Christian LeBlanc
Treasurer – Cheryl German
Biographies/Committees
Freddie Jenkins - President
Freddie Jenkins’ family was from Cainhoy, where he was born, but after his family’s house burned down, moved to Snowden. He attended Jenny Moore Elementary and Laing High School, spent 3 years in Germany with the Army, and 23 years with the Army Reserve in Charleston. Then he worked at the Naval Shipyard as a production shop planner in the nuclear tool rooms. Freddie is now an independent contractor in the construction industry. When he is off work duty, he enjoys going to gym, karate, shopping and volunteering with the Masonic Lodge. He has been a member of the Snowden Civic Association since the early ‘80’s, and is currently the President. He is very active with the Long Point Baptist Church where he sits on the Board of Deacons, runs the Christian education department., and is the Treasurer on Board of Finance. He is the AASC liaison with Mount Pleasant Waterworks and is working very hard to get more sewer service to the Snowden Mt. Pleasant residents.
Ed Lee – Vice President/Economic Development
Ed is a native of the Scanlonville Community in Mt. Pleasant. He can still remember the days when Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Ivory Joe Hunter, and B.B. King performed at their Riverside Beach Pavillion. He graduated from Bishop England High School and North Carolina A&T State University with a BS in Architectural Engineering. He has held management positions with the Charleston Naval Shipyard, Marine Corps Construction and is currently a Construction Project Manager in the Facilities Department of Charleston County. He has been an adjunct Professor at Trident Technical College as well as been an active member of his Community with previous appointments such as being a member of the Mt. Pleasant Planning Commission, Historical Commission, a member of Tri-County Economic Development Committee, development of the Ten Mile to Awendaw Plan, and has been President of the East Cooper Civic Club for 10 years. He was awarded “Who’s Who of Young Americans” in 1993,1997 and 1998. When he’s not working or volunteering, he enjoys running, riding his bike, building and tuning race engines and reading – particularly history, scientific and technical writings.
Christian LeBlanc - Secretary/Public Relations
Christian is a native of Greenville, South Carolina. He came to College of Charleston in 2008 and graduated in 2012 with a Communications Degree. He currently runs his own digital marketing company, Christian LeBlanc Media, in Charleston.
Cheryl German - Community Outreach - Treasurer
Cheryl was born and raised in the Old Village of Mt. Pleasant, SC. The second oldest of seven. Attended Moultrie High and the College of Charleston with studies in business admin. A self-taught jewelry designer and currently operates a home-base business. She currently works as the Executive Director for the Old Village Community Association, Inc.
She is single, has two adult children and three grandkids.
She has experiences as an Imports Customer Service, Assembly Operator, Bookkeeping, Cashier, Payroll, Softball & Basketball Recreational Coach, Statistician & Scorekeeper for community and college sports.
She co-established and operated the Old Village Roundball Classic League & Association in 1996.
A member of the Charleston Metropolitan Church of Christ and serves on the congregation’s ministries: People Serving People, Hospitality, Praise Team Acapella Choral Group, the National Urban Ministry and Racial Unity Leadership Summit Committees.
Co-organizer of the 1st Afro American Society at the College of Charleston, Lay Person of the Year 2001 at the SC Recreation and Parks Association-Ethnic Minority Branch. She has received several sports awards during high school and college. Participated and ranked in Miss Black Charleston and Miss Afro American Society Pageants in 1975.
In her spare time, she enjoys sports, music, jewelry and crafting, teaching youth jewelry making, crafting skills and sports training. She loves gardening, writing, Black history researching and family. She believes if one wants to see a change, one must be willing to help make a change.
At Large - Richard Habersham
Richard Lee Habersham, the son of Chris and Martha Kinlock was born on March 17, 1954 in the Phillips Community of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. He is the fifth of nine children. He is the fourth generation resident and the great grand son of Hercules Geddis. Hercules was one of the eighteen original residents of the Phillips Community.
Richard was graduated from Moultrie High School in 1972. He matriculated to Trident Technical College after graduation.
Not only did he graduate from Trident Technical College in Charleston, South Carolina, he enlisted in the United States Army and served five years active duty. He served seventeen years in the Army Reserve. He retired in 1994 as Staff Sergeant. He was owner/Operation Truck Driver for forty years and retired in 2019.
Richard is a member of Greater Goodwill African Methodist Episcopal Church of which he serves on the Trustee Board and the Brother's Keeper.
Presently, he serves as President of the Phillips Community Association, a Board Member of the African American Historic Settlement Community. He was past President of CAGE (Community Action Group for Encouragement) former Board Member for the Heir's Property Preservation, East Cooper Land Trust, Mount Pleasant Affordable Housing, Highway 41 Stake Holder's Committee, and the Community Foundation Advisory Board.
Mr. Habersham has contributed to society by being a participant and leader in many organizations.
At Large - Rodly Millet
Rodly Millet is the Chief Executive Officer and a founding leader of the Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities (LAMC). He works to advance LAMC’s mission of building healthy families through environmental justice, education, housing, and community development across North Charleston neighborhoods. With over 20 years of military service, private sector leadership, and community advocacy, Rodly is dedicated to strengthening partnerships and empowering residents to shape healthier, more resilient communities.
At Large - Miriam Green
Mrs. Miriam C. Green is a lifelong public servant, community advocate, and trailblazing leader from McClellanville, South Carolina. The daughter of the late Thomas Sr. and Elizabeth Colleton, she has built a legacy rooted in service, integrity, and empowerment. Miriam is married to Mr. Robert L. Green, Sr., and together they are blessed with two children, two grandchildren, and many beloved adopted children who have become part of their extended family.
Miriam is a graduate of Voorhees College, where she earned a B.S. in Business Management. She continued to expand her expertise through numerous professional certifications, including Certified Energy Auditor (1986), Affordable Housing Management (1999), Community Development (1999), and Grant Writing (2000). She is also a 2001 graduate of the Institute of Government. Her leadership experience includes seven years as Chairperson of the Charleston County Advisory Board for CDBG, developing the Operation Round-Up Application for Berkeley Electric Cooperative, coordinating the Housing Department for the Town of Awendaw, and managing her family’s businesses—Buckshot’s Restaurant and Joe’s Catering Service.
Miriam began her career with Berkeley Electric Cooperative, serving the Awendaw District for an extraordinary 43 years. Rising from Vice President of Community Service to District Manager, she became known for her commitment to residents, her collaborative leadership style, and her dedication to community progress.
A respected civic leader, Miriam is active in numerous organizations, including:
First Black Female Mayor of the Town of Awendaw
Charleston County Grants Administration Advisory Board
Charleston Alliance and Charleston Chamber of Commerce
Secretary, Black Mayors Association
Urban League Board Vice President
Executive Board for Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties
Mt. Nebo AME Church (Former Steward Pro-Tem and member)
Charleston County Human Services – South Santee Senior Citizen Board
Revitalization Board for Affordable Housing
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Her political career spans more than two decades of service on the Awendaw Town Council, followed by additional years as the town’s mayor. Throughout her tenure, Miriam championed initiatives that improved access to safe drinking water, expanded affordable and sustainable housing through CDBG and USDA programs, and supported job creation through responsible community growth.
Honorary Posthumous - Thomasena Stokes-Marshall
2021-2022 Plan
Introduction
As the population increases within the Tri-county area, we are witnessing the demise of the special character of African American Settlement Communities. These communities are an important part of the social and cultural history of the area. Due to this unprecedented growth pressure in these communities the African American Settlement Communities (AASC) Historic Commission, Inc. was formed. The cities of Charleston County and Berkeley County have comprehensive land use plans and ordinances that mention the preservation of cultural resources. One resource that is not always addressed and or challenged is the settlement communities because they do not have legal binding ordinances or community benefit agreements that protect them.
Purpose
The African American Settlement Communities are an important part of the history of this area and in some cases date back to Reconstruction. In light of the unprecedented growth in the region the AASC Historic Commission, Inc. wants to address and find solutions while working with all local government agencies to counter the demise of the African American Settlement Communities in the Tri-County area.
Mission
To achieve our organizational purpose the AASC Historic Commission, Inc. efforts include the following:
Protect and preserve the existing characteristics of African American Settlement Communities and enhance the quality of life for current and future generations of residents of the African American Settlement Communities.Nurture and support a strong sense of community, identity, history and economic development both within the African American Settlement Communities and the larger region, to include the Gullah Geechee Corridor.
Values
The Board of Directors of the AASC Historic Commission, Inc is guided by the following values. These values describe our organization, as we want it to be.
Access - The AASC Historic Commission, Inc. will promote and provide the widest access, required by law, to our records.
Accountability - Documenting organizational activities and decision making, the AASC Historic Commission, Inc. provides an important means of ensuring accountability.
Advocacy - The AASC Historic Commission, Inc. will serve as advocates to the communities we serve. We will also advocate for the application of fair treatment of these communities in a variety of settings to the extent consistent with our organizational responsibilities as a 501(c)3 organization, and in the political arena.
Professionalism - The AASC Historic Commission Board will adhere to the mission and values adopted by the organization, collaborate with local government, municipalities, community leaders and professional organizations in the execution of its mission. The Board will also strive for excellence in its daily activities and recognize the importance of professional development.