WHY HENRI' CAN - HE SHARES OUR VALUES

EXPERIENCE

Henri' Thompson has dedicated his life to public service and leadership as a community organizer, Corporation for National and Community Service Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) member, and legislative assistant and information technology specialist with the United States Congress. His unique state and federal public policy making experiences make him uniquely qualified to move South Carolina forward.

With his announcement as the next representative for District 36 in the South Carolina House of Representatives, Henri' is focused on uniting our communities with teamwork, decreasing the academic achievement gap, and promoting equitable health care and economic growth. As a business and civic leader in the community, Henri' is a graduate of the Richard W. Riley Institute at Furman University Diversity Leadership Academy Class III, Leadership Spartanburg Class 26 and Leadership Greenville Class 32, and serves on numerous community and business boards in District 36 and across Upstate, South Carolina.

While working as a researcher and assistant to the national director of education for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Henri' worked with educators, lawyers, and policymakers to identify practical solutions to decrease the racial academic achievement gap. In addition, he co-authored a curriculum unit on Race in America and the Rise of the Civil Rights Movement: 1896-1954 that was published by the College Board for AP US History and Government teachers. His writings and projects examined the legal battles for equal access to education for all students, and reflect the importance of developing resource partnerships, and recruiting and retaining highly qualified teachers to ensure equity in education. As a voice for young people across America, Henri' worked with members of the Brown v. Board of Education Equity Commission to discuss educational equity best practices, effective desegregation efforts, and racial disparities in education. In addition, Henri' helped to identify solutions for ensuring smaller classroom sizes, extending early childhood programs, and access to advanced courses for historically underserved young people.

Understanding the needs of people that want to work with government but do not know how to access their leaders, Henri' served as a community organizer helping to register voters and provide affordable housing arrangements to teachers and police officers. He continues to serve as an organizer and mentor to students and families that are working hard to better the lives for themselves and their neighborhoods.

As an information technology professional and teacher with Harvard University's Martin Luther King Jr. After School Program at the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute, Henri' worked with middle and high-school aged youth in underserved communities to help them acquire the academic, social, and computer skills required to compete in a new economy. Utilizing the Encarta Africana software as the curriculum, students were able to explore over 4 million years of black history in a challenging and rewarding academic setting.

The skills developed working on behalf of low-income families allowed Henri' to be effective on Capitol Hill as a legislative assistant with the United States Congress. While aggressively pursuing legislative opportunities in education, health care, and law of cyberspace - Henri' helped to increase opportunities for all people to better their lives through education, economic equality, and employment.

Thompson has worked as a management, policy, and information technology consultant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Black Entertainment Television, BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC. Kwame Jackson of Donald Trumps "The Apprentice", and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

As a managing partner of a global business consulting firm that architects solutions for some of the world's largest companies, Thompson is in charge of all of the firms corporate practice areas including network design & security, telecommunications architecture, web application and database development, and interactive advertising.

VISION

Henri' Thompson is running for South Carolina House of Representatives because South Carolina needs a voice of unity that addresses old and current problems with new and innovative ideas.  The business as usual mindset in Columbia is hindering the progression of the state and middle-class families. New approaches with fresh ideas are needed to ensure that all citizens move forward, not just the privileged few.

Keeping our younger generations here. Thompson believes that one of the biggest assets District 36 has is our families and the biggest threat we face is the break up of those families as promising younger generations continue to move away. We know many of the old problems: extended families become distant families when factories and jobs move out. Or college-educated young people just don't see enough opportunity in our area and leave to find careers in other places.

To encourage more young people to stay in the area, our community needs a collaborative economic plan for the future based on new and innovative ideas that addresses our challenges and strengths.

Henri' Thompson has the courage to lead change. Currently, South Carolina is missing a common voice and as a result, many hard and working class people in District 36 and across the state are paying the price. However, our best days are not in our past or the present, but lie within our future if we encourage others to also make the changes we need.

FAITH AND FAMILY

Thompson is especially proud of being Olivia's dad, and they attend Mayfield Chapel Baptist Church where Henri' served for three years as superintendent of the Sunday School.

Henri' Thompson was born on December 7th in Greer, South Carolina and is a proud product of the Spartanburg County District 5 School system including his earliest development experiences at the former Lyman Elementary School and D.R. Hill Middle School. A graduate of James F. Byrnes High where he was a member of the Rebel Regiment Marching Band, outfielder with the baseball team, Palmetto Boys State delegate, and student body president -- Henri' is committed to academic excellence and community support for young people. Thompson continued his education, earning a Bachelor's Degree from Anderson University and a Master's Degree from the Johns Hopkins University.