Stephen K. Benjamin
Former Senior Advisor to the President for Public Engagement
Stephen K. Benjamin is a distinguished public servant and leader with a career spanning government, academia, and civic engagement. He previously served as Senior Advisor to the President and Director of Public Engagement in the Biden-Harris Administration. Before that, he was the Mayor of Columbia, South Carolina from 2010 to 2021, making a lasting impact on the city’s growth and development.
Benjamin has held several national leadership positions, including President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors (2018-2019), President of the African American Mayors Association, Vice Chairman of the Global Parliament of Mayors, and Executive Chairman of Municipal Bonds for America. His expertise in public policy also led him to serve as Chairman of the FirstNet Authority, a Member of the Federal Communications Commission’s Intergovernmental Advisory Committee, and a board member for multiple corporate and nonprofit organizations.
In academia, Mayor Benjamin was the Spring 2022 Richard L. and Ronay A. Menschel Senior Leadership Fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and previously taught as an Adjunct Professor at the University of South Carolina Honors College, leading a course titled “Columbia, South Carolina: Building a Great City.” A proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi and Sigma Pi Phi fraternities, he holds both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of South Carolina, where he served as President of Student Government and the Student Bar Association.
Mayor Benjamin is married to the Honorable DeAndrea Gist Benjamin, a Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Together, they have two daughters and are active members of Saint John Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina.
Panel Information
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
3:30 PM EST
Economic Powerhouses: Minority Entrepreneurship, Consumerism, and Resilience
This session will explore the effects of economic instability and shifting market dynamics on minority communities in the U.S., while highlighting the growing importance of economic resilience. Minority entrepreneurship and consumerism are vital drivers of the workforce economy, creating opportunities for innovation and growth in local communities. However, as industries evolve, minority workers in sectors like agriculture and manufacturing may face new opportunities alongside significant challenges. Panelists will discuss the complexities these communities encounter, including job displacement, the role of entrepreneurship in economic recovery, and the power of minority consumerism in shaping market trends. The session will also address corporate responsibilities, particularly the rollback of programs targeting minority recruitment and inclusion, and emphasize strategies to strengthen economic resilience to ensure minority workers and businesses thrive in an ever-changing economic landscape.
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