where we began

From August 2020 to December 2021, the REEMGVL Commission took shape in response to a pivotal moment in our nation’s history, as communities grappled with the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. Recognizing that Greenville County was thriving—but not for everyone—local leaders came together to address racial inequities head-on. A key part of this work involved learning from other communities, including Charleston, Tulsa, Buffalo, and Ferguson, which had already faced similar challenges. Commissioners and local leaders expanded their understanding by participating in initiatives like the 21 Day Equity Challenge and the Racial Equity Institute’s Groundwater Institute. In early 2022, the Commission published a Summary Report to the Community, outlining a series of recommendations that set bold, clear, and actionable goals to achieve racial equity and promote economic mobility in Greenville County.