The Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce (BCBCC) Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Marilyn Harris as its new Executive Director. Harris, who assumed the role on July 3, 2023, will be responsible for all operational duties of the BCBCC moving forward. The BCBCC is a 501(c)(3) membership organization dedicated to offering services, educational programs and products to multi-cultural business owners and professionals in Beaufort County and the surrounding communities.It is part of the national U.S. Black Chamber and is dedicated to empowering small, minority-owned businesses.
“We are proud of the Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce’s rich tradition of bringing our community together to make a difference,” said Leroy Gilliard, Chairman of the Board of Directors. ” Marilyn is an exciting new chapter of our history. With more than 35 years of service leadership experience spanning military, Beaufort County government, and civil service, Marilyn has proven experience in uplifting others. We are confident that she will help us to not only continue our Chamber mission, but also to expand on it.”
Harris relocated to Beaufort County in 2015. During this time, she has planted deep roots in the community. Currently serving as a Commissioner with the Beaufort Housing Authority, Harris is also a Board member of the Coastal Community Foundation and a member of Women United, a committee of the United Way of the Lowcountry. Harris has served on the Boards of other local non-profit organizations including, Second Helpings, SCORE, and the Boys and Girls Club of the Lowcountry. Plus, she has, with the United Way, partnered through Women United to launch Mimi’s Closets, an education support initiative created to provide school supplies to preschools and elementary schools throughout the Lowcountry.
In addition to her Board service, Harris has supported several Beaufort County assistance programs. As Beaufort County Program Coordinator for the Collaborative Organization of Services for Youth (COSY) and the Collaborative Organization of Services for Adults (COSA), Harris worked for the Department of Human Services. In addition, she served the County as the Lowcountry Affordable Housing Coalition facilitator.
Before arriving in Beaufort, Harris held leadership roles in the U.S. and Europe for the Federal Government, including the Department of the Army, the White House, the U.S. House of Representatives and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“I am proud to be here at the Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce and I am thrilled to get started,” Harris said. “The opportunities to support the community are almost unlimited and I am excited to partner with the City, County and community to further the mission of the Chamber. I am dedicated to making sure that our entire community understands the BCBCC is a trusted partner.“
For more information about Harris, and for more information about the Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.BCBCC.org.
About the BCBCC
The Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce, a 501 (c)(3) organization, is a membership organization dedicated to offering services, educational programming and products to multi-cultural business owners and professionals within Beaufort County and its neighboring communities. Our mission is dedicated to the economic empowerment of African American communities and small businesses in Beaufort County.
