Black History in the Upstate - February 2005

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* Information for this page obtained from Leroy Chapman Jr., Associate Editorial Page Editor for Greenville News Do you know of someone in the Upstate that you would like to nominate as a part of our local Black History list? If so please email us their name and contact information.

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February 9, 2005
Brent Clinkscale: A Generation Next leader

Brent Clinkscale is an attorney and a trailblazing civic leader who is defining for a new generation of African Americans what it means to be a community leader. WJMZ salutes Clinkscale for his work in the Upstate to help improve education, health care and job opportunities.

Clinkscale was born in Greenville and graduated J.L. Mann High School where he was an outstanding student and a three-sport athlete. It earned him a scholarship to Duke University, where he played quarterback and starred in the classroom. At Duke he played for current South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, and he says football taught him valuable lessons about leadership, teamwork and sacrifice. Clinkscale flirted with the idea of pro football, but he would choose instead to pursue a law degree from Duke. In 1990, Clinkscale would return to Greenville to practice law. His hard work paid off handsomely. Clinkscale has been a partner in two of this area's most prestigious law firms, serving now as a partner in Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge and Rice.

But Clinkscale has always had a broader calling, which is why he's dedicated much of his life to public service. Clinkscale's role as chairman of the Greenville Area Development Corporation makes him the face of the Upstate to corporations around the world considering doing business in the Upstate. Therefore, Clinkscale's leadership is critical to growing quality jobs in Greenville and the surrounding areas that pay a living wage and offer a measure of financial security. When businesses are considering Greenville, it's Clinkscale who is often at the table selling this community.

Clinkscale is also involved in education, health care and business development through his board membership on the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund, the Greenville Hospital System Foundation and the Greenville Technical College Foundation.

WJMZ salutes Brent Clinkscale for his dedication to our community in fighting for quality education and greater economic opportunity.

Go to the Greenville Area Development Corp. Web site at GADC.com or contact Brent Clinkscale at: Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PO 10208, Greenville, SC 29603. Phone: 255-5408

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Listen weekdays during February at 7:45AM in the Tom Joyner Morning Show, and again at 12:50PM during the K. J. in the Midday Show, for McDonald's Black History Moments featuring interesting historical facts about African American history in the Upstate. McDonald's celebrates Black history 365 days a year by communicating the pride, achievement, heritage, and contributions of African Americans to American history. McDonald's, "I'm loving it."

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Read about Ralph Anderson

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