Columbia Urban League’s Back-To-School Parent Leadership Conference returns to the Midlands

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Parents were equipped with knowledge at the Back-to-school parent leadership conference Saturday, as the annual event returned to the Midlands. The event aims to help students that may be struggling in the classroom, sharing tools and knowledge with parents that could help keep their kids on track academically.

Dozens of parents came out here to Trinity Baptist Church to find out more about educational resources that are out in the community that can help their children succeed.

“It’s really important that we reach out to the community and give them the tools that they need in order to meet the achievement standards,” said, J.T. McLawhorn, President of Columbia Urban League.

The nonprofit first started the event in 2023... Where parents could engage with vendors and take part in informative discussion seminars.

It tells parents how certain processes in the education system work... and introduces them to statewide resources that aim to help students grow up into hard-working adults.

“We have a panel talking about IEP’s and 504 plans and how to navigate that system within the school system, we have someone doing a seminar on bridging the gap with autism,” said Juanita Dean Bates, a Program Director with Columbia Urban League said, “We don’t think about the disabilities that some of our students have in schools and a lot of parents don’t understand or know where to find the resources.”

Now retired, Columbia Urban League Parent Navigator Regina Williams worked for over three decades as an educator. When her daughter was in elementary school, Williams first realized she would need a little extra support in the classroom.

Willaims says watching how the Individualized Education Program and other support she’s helped get her daughter over the years has made her want to help other families and give them the same tips that help her.

“Helping parents and showing them, don’t ever give up on our child,” Williams said, “There’s always a way.”

The Columbia Urban League plans to have the annual conference return in 2025. People can learn more about the League’s programs by visiting their website.

Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.