Dr. Delores Dacosta, Executive Director. A resident of Awendaw, SC, Dr. Delores Dacosta has over 40 years of committed public service, which includes 20 years of expertise in federal policies and regulations. She commenced her federal career as a Legislative Assistant to the late Congressman Arthur Ravenel, Jr., subsequently serving as Chief of Staff to Congressman Henry Brown, Jr., and retiring in 2017 as Regional Director to U.S. Senator Tim Scott. Beyond her federal experience, she has also worked as a Charleston City police officer and served as a Charleston County magistrate.

At present, Dr. Dacosta holds the position of Executive Director of the South Carolina Commission for Community Advancement and Engagement (formerly Commission for Minority Affairs). As a change agent, Dacosta has revitalized the Commission by initiating and advocating for changes that foster innovation, promote cultural shifts, and address community needs.

As a transformative catalyst, Dacosta has reinstated the Commission’s integrity through research, collaboration, and advocacy efforts aimed at facilitating cultural transitions and bridging socio-economic disparities.

Dr. Dacosta earned a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership from Regent University, in addition to a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.

Her dedication to public service is further exemplified by her active participation in various committees, including South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster’s Accelerate SC COVID-19 Prevention Taskforce; DHEC’s Vaccine Testing and Distribution Taskforce; the SC CARES Act Small & Minority Business Grant Distribution panel; the SC Regulatory Agency for Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program; the South Carolina Civil Rights Museum Board of Directors; SCETV Community Advisory Council; and the South Carolina State Child Fatality Advisory Committee.

Her awards and certifications include:

• The Women in Philanthropy and Leadership award from Coastal Carolina University, Conway, S.C., (2016)
• The Small Business Advocacy Award from the Minority Business Development Agency, Columbia, S.C. (2017)
• Certified Trainer for Dr. Ruby Payne’s “Bridges Out of Poverty Process” (2019)
• Certified Facilitator in the “Getting Ahead in a Just-Getting-By World” (2019)
• Certified as a NxLevel Business Trainer (2020)
• Cornell University Diversity and Inclusion Certificate (2021)
• Certificate of Completion of the SC Ports Authority Ambassador’s program (2023)
• Certificate of Completion, Yale School of Management in Executive Education (2023)
• Certified Leadership Trainer through the John Maxwell Leadership Program (2023)
• Leadership South Carolina