Dear Friend,

Welcome back to my education newsletter! You can sign up for my weekly update and other issue-specific newsletters here. Also, please remember to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for regular updates on how I am serving the people of South Carolina!  

We Must Reopen the Schools Now

I am heartbroken over the increase of child and teen suicide rates in Charleston and across the country. Our young people are experiencing an increase in anxiety and depression and a decrease in learning. The longer schools are closed, the longer our children suffer, especially for students growing up in low-income homes, as I did. It is destroying their economic potential more and more as the days go by. 

In South Carolina, the state Department of Education found a significant learning loss amongst our students. I am calling for the immediate reopening of every school in South Carolina and around the nation—the science proves we can do it safely. In fact, a Medical University of South Carolina study found minimal COVID-19 transmission in Charleston County Public Schools. 

Last week, I visited Meeting Street Academy in Charleston and witnessed all students, teachers, and staff masked, socially-distanced, and following other CDC guidelines. I even got the chance to speak with parents about how happy they were that their children were learning in-person. If we can do it in Charleston, South Carolina, we can do it everywhere. After months of waiting, our children desperately need a return to being around other children and in-person education. We must reopen schools – the cost of waiting another day is too high.

Click here to watch my “Two With Tim” episode about reopening the schools

If your child is experiencing issues during this tough time, please be sure to take advantage of the following resources:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255)

Crisis Text line: Text HOME to 741741

MUSC Psychiatry: 843-792-9888

Charleston Mental Health Center: 843-852-4100

Mobile Crisis (emergencies 24/7): 843-414-2350


HBCU Fly-In Explores the Importance of Diversity 

On Wednesday, my office hosted our fifth annual HBCU Fly-In. I missed seeing everyone in person this year, but it was still a special, virtual gathering of HBCU leaders from all across the country. Their resilience, consistency, and hard work are instrumental in shaping our next generation of leaders. It is why when the pandemic hit, we allocated more than $1.4 billion in HBCU funding in the CARES Act, and before the pandemic, we secured permanent funding for our HBCUs through the bipartisan FUTURE Act. 

I am always grateful for the opportunity to come together and celebrate what we have accomplished and to discuss where we need to go from here. This year’s speakers included Super Bowl champion and entrepreneur, Emmitt Smith, Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Representative Alma Adams (D-N.C.), Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Pittman, and Internet Association’s Director of Social Impact Policy and Counsel, Sean Perryman. The theme was “HBCUs Redefining CEO: Cultivating Executive Opportunities.” We discussed the importance of diversity, innovation, access to venture capital, and African American leadership in armed services. If you missed it or if you would like to watch it again, you can do so here.

I look forward to having everyone join us back here in Washington next year!

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,