On behalf of Bull Swamp Baptist Church of Orangeburg Incorporated and the Black History Committee, we cordially invite you to our Black History Month events. The series will begin on February 7th at 12:00pm with Dr. Walter B. Curry, Jr., Ed.D., Founder of Renaissance Publications & Educational Programs, LLC. Programs will continue each Saturday throughout the month of February, featuring a different speaker and activity each week: February 14th at 10:00am and February 21st at 3:00pm with a banquet and culminating on February 27th and 28th with a chartered bus cultural trip to Myrtle Beach, SC.
In addition to the speaker presentations, we invite you to tour our recently renovated 1936 Bull Swamp Colored School Preservation and Community Center, designated a National Historical site in 2021 by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History https://scdah.sc.gov located on the church grounds, immediately following each event.
Dr. Walter B. Curry, Jr.
hails from Orangeburg, South Carolina, where he began his academic journey by earning a bachelor’s degree in political science from South Carolina State University. He furthered his education by obtaining multiple graduate degrees in the field of education, culminating in a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Argosy University in Sarasota. In 2018, Dr. Curry established Renaissance Publications & Educational Programs, LLC, a venture dedicated to promoting the literary arts through education, with particular emphasis on historical scholarship that explores ancestry and local history.
This program is funded by SC Humanities; inspiring, engaging and enriching South Carolinians with literature, history, culture and heritage. Visit our web site, www.schumanities.org
For more information, contact Ms. Annette Morrison, BSBC Black History Committee President, at (803) 378-5547 or via email at aemorrison1@icloud.com.Please RSVP by January 15, 2026.
Help Wanted – Church Secretary Bethlehem Baptist Church of Columbia has a job opening for an office secretary. The successful candidate will possess Christian values and have an amiable disposition. Duties include general office work, i.e answering the phone, greeting visitors, processing correspondence, maintaining files and scheduling events. Minimum requirements: HS Diploma and 1 yr. clerical experience; or associate degree in secretarial science or related field. Must be able to type 35wpm, have excellent computer skills and a working knowledge of various software applications including Word, Excel and PP. Other related duties may be required as needed. Interested persons should mail resume to the church at 1218 Lyon St. Columbia, SC 29204 or call our office at (803) 254-5651.
Special Deputy Deborah “Debo” Hayes is pictured with Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott.
Community Profile: Special Deputy Deborah “Debo” Hayes has a heart for service
Special Deputy Deborah “Debo” Hayes has become one of the Midlands’ most admired public servants—known not only for wearing the badge, but for leading with compassion, humility, and an unwavering commitment to community.
Hayes has received numerous honors throughout her career, including the AARP Community Impact Award (April 2025) and the Heroes Unite Award recognizing military and first responders (June 2025). And the recognition continues. On December 4, 2025, Special Deputy Hayes was honored by Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott for 35 years of continuous service, marking a remarkable milestone in her law enforcement career.
At the Sheriff’s Department, Hayes plays a vital role in Project HOPE—Helping Our Precious Elderly, a program dedicated to supporting senior citizens who may be isolated, estranged from family, or simply in need of companionship. Many seniors look forward to her visits, where she takes time to talk, listen, and learn about their lives. For Hayes, these moments are just as meaningful as the service itself.
She is also actively involved in Project Lifesaver, working with families of elderly adults and young people with autism or Down syndrome, helping ensure vulnerable individuals are
protected and quickly located when needed.
Beyond her professional duties, Hayes is deeply engaged in community service. She is a Special Olympics volunteer, serves on the Pastor’s Aid Board at St. James AME Church, and is a proud member of the VFW Auxiliary and the Columbia
Chapter of the NAACP. She also participates in charity bowling tournaments to raise funds for children and has even appeared in a film portraying a deputy—bringing her real-life experience to the screen.
Those who know her say Hayes does not volunteer for recognition. She serves quietly, faithfully, and from the heart.
On December 4, 2025, was honored for 35 years of continuous service by Sheriff Leon Lott. Countless lives touched, and a growing list of honors, Special Deputy Deborah “Debo” Hayes continues to prove that true heroism is found in showing up, caring deeply, and serving consistently.
