The March of Dimes will hold its Sixth Annual African American Achievement Award Breakfast on Wednesday, November 19, 2008. The African American Achievement Award was established in 2003 by the South Carolina Chapter of the March of Dimes to honor and recognize the commitment and dedication of those positively impacting the African American community.  Recipients are chosen for their outstanding leadership and vision in the community.

This event is an opportunity to raise awareness of the racial disparities that exist in infant mortality and premature birth within the African American community of South Carolina.  Infant death for African American babies in South Carolina is 15 percent of live births compared to 6 percent for Caucasian babies.  In addition to this, 19 percent of all African American babies born in South Carolina are born prematurely and African American mothers have the highest rates of inadequate prenatal care compared to other maternal race categories.  The March of Dimes is working for a day when all babies are born healthy.

For more information on this event, or to discuss Sponsorship opportunities, please call LaRonda Scott, Executive Director, March of Dimes, Midlands Division, at (803) 252-5200, ext. 15 or email LScott@marchofdimes.com

2006

• The James A. Bennett Family
• The Reverend Charles B. Jackson, Sr. Family

2005

• Dr. and Mrs. Jasper Salmond

2003

• Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter
• Dr. Noble Cooper Jr. & Family
• I.S. Leevy Johnson & Family