Prior to joining SouthCarolinaCAN, Fred founded Colleton Consulting Group (CCG), a consulting firm that specializes in building internal and external capacity for nonprofit organizations through grant writing, advocacy and data analysis and strategic planning. He was also the director of education innovation at Trident United Way in Charleston, SC and the director of government affairs at the United Negro College Fund in Washington, D.C. Fred has federal and state experience in lobbying, marketing, fundraising and coalition building.
In the fall of 2017, Fred completed the Riley Institute Diversity Leaders Initiative at Furman University, and is also an Institute for Responsible Citizenship Scholar, a National Collegiate Scholar and a 10x All-American Track and Field athlete. He received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Tufts University and his MBA from the University of Maryland, College Park. He now lives in Walterboro, South Carolina with his beautiful wife.
I aspire to be like my grandmother, a lifelong preschool teacher in Pensacola, Florida. Here’s why:
My grandmother was completely dedicated to her classroom, educating children in her community for over 40 years. She changed countless lives and taught my siblings and I the essence of hard work, empathy and excellence. My passion for education and career in public service stems from her.
Why I love my job:
As the deputy director of SouthCarolinaCAN, I am fortunate to manage our Charleston RISE parent advocacy program as well as advancing our state education policy priorities. I love working with parents, conducting policy analysis and building advocacy campaigns.
My connection to public schools:
I grew up in a family that emphasized education. I was the first person in my family to go to and graduate from a four-year college. From firsthand experience, I know the benefits of receiving a quality K-12 education and the opportunities awarded to those who graduate prepared for college and the workforce. I fundamentally believe that public schools are the instrument to provide the majority of students with the experiences they need to reach their maximum potential.
What I’m bad at:
I’m bad at ordering meals at restaurants. I always pick the smallest meal even though I have the biggest appetite.
The image that represents why I work at 50CAN:
The image below describes the Penn Center, which is the first free school for children of African descent in South Carolina. I think we should always be focused on creating high-quality educational experiences for all students, but especially those who have been historically disenfranchised. I look forward to helping advance educational opportunities and equity issues at 50CAN.