A tragic event 10 years ago in Charleston affected many across the Lowcountry, including the family of the late Rev. Clementa Pinckney.
While June 17, 2015, will be remembered as a tragic day in history, the memory of the late Rev. Clementa Pinckney will always remain thankful to his family and many others.
Pinckney was the pastor at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston when he and eight parishioners were shot and killed by a white supremacist. He had represented Jasper County in the South Carolina Senate since 2000 and was a former pastor at Campbell Chapel AME Church in Bluffton.
Pinckney’s wife, Jennifer, and one of his daughters, Malana, were at the church at the time of the shooting. Pinckney’s other daughter, Eliana, stayed at home with her grandmother that night.
“We grew stronger in our faith and love for one another after the shooting,” Jennifer said. “We have the support of family and friends and somewhat keep in touch (with the other families who were affected).”
Other victims that evening included Cynthia Graham Hurd, Susie Jackson, Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Rev. Daniel Simmons, Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Ethel Lance, Tywanza Sanders and Myra Thompson.
Since that tragic night, the family has kept Pinckney’s memory alive through the naming of several scholarships and a foundation, allowing the next generation an opportunity to learn more about him. Jennifer Pinckney is also in the process of writing a book about grief.
“I would like others to remember how loving, strong, and compassionate my father was,” Malana, who is now 16, said.
The scholarships established since Pinckney’s death include the Pinckney Scholarship which is hosted by the Coastal Community Foundation. This scholarship is presented to students within Pinckney’s Senate District. There is also a Pinckney 4-H Leadership Program which is sponsored by Clemson University, a Rise Scholarship sponsored by the University of South Carolina.
St. John AME Church members, in 2020, also joined the Jasper County Historical Society in unveiling a historical marker in Pinckney’s memory at the church on S.C. 336 outside Ridgeland. Pinckney preached his first sermon at St. John AME Church.
To expand community outreach, the Rev. Clementa Pinckney Foundation was established. The mission of the foundation, according to its website, is, “to improve the quality of life for all South Carolina citizens by supporting religious, educational and charitable causes that the late Senator supported while serving as a leader in his church, community, and the South Carolina Senate.”
The next Pinckney Foundation event in Jasper County will take place July 19 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the KT Destiny Center, located at 6750 Tillman Road in Ridgeland. Some of the items besides bookbags that will be given away will be paper, pencils, crayons, rulers, scissors, folders, notebooks, and highlighters. There will also be free food and entertainment.
“We hope giving out these supplies will help to assist the youth by providing resources that will start them off with a stable school year,” Jennifer Pinckney said.
There are many groups and volunteers who help make the giveaway possible, a fact not lost by Pinckney who wished to thank them for their help with the event.
“Thank you for the time and energy you have put into the foundation,” Jennifer said. “Your generosity, hard work, and love is shown through all of the amazing work produced. There are no words to express the gratitude we have for each and every one of them.”
Malana said the foundation is one of many ways in which their family and others can continue to keep her father’s memory alive.
“I feel honored to be continuing the legacy my father has left on countless lives,” Malana said. “It brings me joy knowing that I have the power to change some lives and I will forever be grateful.”
