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DARON LEE CALHOUN II
WHO AM I?
Daron Lee Calhoun II is a historian on the history of African American Higher Education. He currently serves as the Facilities, Outreach and Public Programming Manager and Director of the Race and Social Justice Initiative at the College of Charleston’s Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture. Mr. Calhoun is a producer and head researcher on a feature-length documentary film project with director Julie Dash entitled “Travel Notes of a Geechee Girl” on the life and work of Dr. Vertamae Grosvenor. He received his BA in African American Studies from Morehouse College and attended the College of Charleston in the graduate History program. Calhoun has served as the chair of the City of Charleston’s 350th Anniversary Committee on Education and History, the chair of the City of Charleston’s Equity, Inclusion and Racial Conciliation Internal Review Special Committee, and is the president of the Morehouse College National Alumni Association’s Lowcountry Chapter. He is a community organizer, currently serves as an elected official on the Charleston County School District Board of Trustees District 6, and most importantly, a proud father to Sevyn Ayn Calhoun and husband to CCSD Teacher, Anneishia Patterson-Calhoun.
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WHY RUN? WHY NOW?
I SERVE WHERE NEEDED
I strive to serve the community where service is needed. When I first went up for the appointment of the District 10 Constituent Board in 2018, it was following the release of the Charleston County Racial Disparities Report, there was a vacant seat, and I knew I could help make a difference for the students of West Ashley. During the special election of 2023, I felt the same sense of urgency to fulfill a need for the constituents of District 6 on the county board. The parents and students from Ardmore to Grand Oaks deserved someone who would advocate for the best policies, funding, and governance of the schools throughout the district, but particularly in West Ashley.
As the parent of a child who is now enrolled in a public school in the Sixth District, I want to make sure they are offering the best resources for everyone at every school. And I know the quality of these schools, because I have spent so much time meeting with the educators and the students.
From the lunch staff to the bus drivers, to the teachers and the principals, the sixth district and Charleston County have the best educators in the state.
In the past two years we have accomplished so much. To start, we were able to give our teachers the largest pay raises ever, with an 8,000 dollar increase in pay. A well-deserved reward for the amazing service our teachers perform day in and day out.
What I’m most proud of is the work I’ve done to bring transparency to our school board meetings. Holding ourselves to the proper procedures and policies that best reflect the ideals of our schools. Bringing the backroom issues out into the light.
But there is more work to do. And there are factions in the state and outside of our state who are using hidden agendas and fear tactics to reshape the entire school system in Charleston County.
We need to push back against those who worry only about their own and build a system that focuses on all. That is why I am seeking reelection. To continue to be a voice for our people and to fervently push back against those who seek to take us back.
