Emerging Leaders Summer Institute Hold Last Session

The Florence Chamber’s Emerging Leaders Summer Institute cohorts held their final session on August 12th, focusing on Government and Civic Engagement.

Florence County hosted breakfast for the group, where the cohort heard from several community leaders, including Florence Mayor Lethonia Barnes, Florence City Manager Scotty Davis, Florence County Administrator Kevin Yokim, and representatives from the Florence Police Department. The conversation gave participants an inside look at how local government operates, the role of public leadership, and the importance of civic engagement in building a stronger community.

The cohort’s next stop was House of Hope, where they enjoyed lunch and heard presentations from both House of Hope and Lighthouse Ministries. Participants learned more about the important work these organizations are doing to address the needs of individuals and families throughout our community.

The day concluded with an informative tour of Harvest Hope Food Bank, providing another opportunity for the Emerging Leaders to see firsthand how community organizations and partners work together to address critical needs.

This was the final session for the 2026 Emerging Leaders cohort, marking the completion of an exciting journey of learning, leadership development, networking, and community engagement. We are proud of this year’s class and look forward to celebrating their accomplishments at their graduation ceremony on August 13th.

To see more photos from the event, click here.