Senator Darrell Jackson ** represents **District 21 in the South Carolina State Senate, covering Richland County. Born on February 1, 1957, in Columbia, South Carolina, he became the state's youngest African-American senator when elected in 1992 and has served continuously since. As a businessman, he founded Sunrise Enterprise of Columbia in 1986, South Carolina's oldest African-American-owned public relations firm specializing in marketing and consulting, and Sunrise Family Health Benefit Services in 2010. He is also senior pastor at Bible Way Church of Atlas Road, named one of "America's most influential churches" in 2006. Notable achievements include the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Citizen of the Year Award , Richland School District One Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award , Modjeska Monteith Simkins Political Courage Award , and an Honorary Degree from Benedict College .

Education and Political Experience

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Benedict College .

Political Experience:

- Commissioner, Richland County School District One .

- South Carolina State Senator, District 21 .

- Current committee assignments: Banking and Insurance, Education, Ethics, Finance, Interstate Cooperation, Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children, Legislative Oversight, Subcommittee on Higher Education, Subcommittee on Retirement Systems.

- Member, American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission.

- Former committees: Corrections and Penology, Medical Affairs, various subcommittees on retirement, transportation funding.