107.3 JAMZ Celebrates Black History Month
Upstate Black History Maker Dexter Ravenel Recognized February 15, 2007
Dexter Ravenel: Feeds the Community

When Dexter Ravenel was growing up in Charleston, SC, his parents instilled in him the importance of working to gain what is now his destiny. At an early age, he learned to hold on to dreams and to move toward working for himself. This tight grip has led to victory with youth in his community as well as a successful business.

Ravenel, a resident of Greenville, SC, is a youth case manager at Sunbelt Human Advancement Resources, Inc. (SHARE), a non-profit agency that assists low and moderate-income families in Upstate South Carolina. At SHARE, he coordinates many community initiatives, including a summer youth employment fair that is designed to help Upstate youth seek employment, higher education or military opportunities.

In 2006, the turnout for the employment fair peaked at 3,000 participants. Of these, 1,786 students secured jobs, enlisted in the military or enrolled in college. The success of the fair speaks mounds for Ravenel's work, as this was just his third year hosting the event.

In addition to his work with SHARE, Ravenel is chairman of the board for Newkirk, a faith-based mentoring group that serves Greenville County schools and churches. Newkirk, which is targeted at youth ages 12 - 21, began in August 2006.

He is actively involved as a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and attends Poplar Springs Baptist Church and Redemption World Outreach Church.

Surprisingly, Ravenel manages to balance so much work while maintaining a full load at home as well. Everything he does revolves around single-parent duties for his four year-old daughter and a seven year-old son, while his wife is deployed on active duties overseas in the armed forces.

Ravenel assigns a grade of D+ to the current economic conditions for African-Americans in the Upstate. Among his reasons is a lack of economic empowerment already in the possession of this population, as well as a lack of ease to advance to management-leveled positions on jobs.

He believes his summer employment fair is one remedy to help curb this trend. By giving youth job training skills, assisting them with professionalism in work environments and showing them how they can contribute to economic growth he hopes to build up his community.

As for being named as an "Unsung Hero," Ravenel takes this honor as a symbol that he is still progressing. Additionally, he holds honors that include 2005 SHARE Employee of the Year, 2005 Youth Program of the Year for EDGES (selected from nine other regions), and 2006 Innovator Program of the Year award winner for his second year operating the summer youth employment fair.