A senate RESOLUTION

TO HONOR THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF PROMINENT AFRICAN AMERICAN BUSINESSWOMAN DIANE E. SUMPTER OF COLUMBIA.

Whereas, Diane E. Sumpter is founder, president, and chief executive officer of DESA, Inc., a thirty-eight-year-old business services firm located in Columbia. DESA has been serving minority-owned businesses for the duration of its existence, including more than thirty years as the operator of the United States Department of Commerce's South Carolina Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center; and

Whereas, Ms. Sumpter has spent more than forty years working as a catalyst for change in South Carolina and the nation. As a business leader, she has concentrated on economic development while strategizing and leading advocacy efforts for small, minority, and women-owned businesses. As a community activist, she has dedicated time and resources to the causes of educational advancement and cultural awareness; and

Whereas, under her leadership, DESA remains one of the longest-running operators of an MBDA Business Center. Her primary areas of focus are helping minority-owned firms scale up and assisting them to build capacity, to pivot, to solidify business operations, and to take advantage of technological advances. She leads a team of employees who share her vision and commitment to the development and success of minority-owned businesses; and

Whereas, along the way, Diane Sumpter has been honored both locally and nationally for her talent and leadership, most recently with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from South Carolina State University and the Abe Venable Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement from the US MBDA. Additionally, she currently sits on the boards of Midlands Technical College and Forest Lake Educational Foundation (Richland School District Two). She is a former board member of the Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council, South Carolina Future Minds, South Carolina State Department of Education, South Carolina State NAACP, South Carolina Council on Competitiveness, East Richland County Public Service Commission, and South Carolina Philharmonic; and

Whereas, at home, Diane Sumpter is the proud mother of three children, who have given her the joy of four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, honor the achievements of prominent African American businesswoman Diane E. Sumpter of Columbia.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Diane E. Sumpter.

----XX----