Terence V. Roberts still lives in the city that his family has called home since his boyhood days of chasing fireflies for cancer research. As mayor and a community cornerstone, he envisions Anderson, South Carolina, as “the most desirable city in the region.”
On a chillier-than-usual Anderson afternoon, just days after a snow dusting in the Upstate, Terence Roberts sat across from me in a space he has known for decades. The backdrop of books, binders, and blinds let slivers of sunlight warm the office of this entrepreneur and neighbor. As we engaged in the interview—which felt more like a conversation—it was ways of knowing and wonderment of his journey as an entrepreneur, legacy holder, and modern-day lantern bearer.
As an entrepreneur of nearly four decades, he first caught the entrepreneurial bug at age 10 when he caught fireflies to support cancer research and receive a check. My parents were educators—my dad was a coach, and my mom was an English teacher—at Westside High School. My youngest brother, the principal of Westside High School, continues our family’s educational legacy of over 50 years. Another significant influence was Mr. Wakefield, a strong leader during the civil rights movement, from whom I learned valuable leadership skills. There were others who stood as lanterns from various platforms. Observing these role models shaped my approach to leadership, emphasizing the importance of education and community involvement.”
His familial work ethic and core foundation were instrumental in Roberts’ steps from rural Anderson to run his own business buoyed by self-determination and later to a mission possible as he became the first Black mayor of Anderson. “One of the reasons I ran for office was to address the neglect of inner-city neighborhoods. These areas had significant blight, crime, rundown homes, and inadequate infrastructure,” he noted. “It is crucial to provide affordable housing for those who clean hospitals, schools, and work in restaurants so they can live close to their jobs.”
Community workforce and economic development, and wellness awareness led to what Roberts described as a “focus on sports, recreation, and green spaces, with projects aimed at improving connectivity through biking and walking paths. Promoting healthy living is a priority.” Additionally, he supported the growth of the transportation system in the tri-county region, including Clemson and Seneca. “These initiatives are part of our ongoing efforts to support and uplift all members of our community,” Roberts explained.
This year’s Mayor’s MLK Breakfast theme of hope, freedom, perseverance, justice, and consciousness highlighted Roberts’ book-ended connection to MLK’s blueprint for young people and his own vested interest in the preservation of elders’ stories. He remarked, “About a decade ago, we created the Church Street Heritage Park and documented residents’ segregation stories. Sadly, everyone in that video has since passed away, highlighting the urgency to continue capturing these stories.”
Roberts has had opportunities to sit at many tables and nurture his energy as a lifelong learner. He shared, “We need to address that part of our history openly. Initiatives like Juneteenth celebrations are steps in the right direction, but it’s essential to understand why we celebrate Juneteenth and what Kwanzaa or Tulsa Race Massacre means to our community. It’s about more than just Martin Luther King Jr. Day or Black History Month, though both are incredibly important.” Roberts acknowledged, “While progress has been made, there is still much work to do. We need to continue having these conversations, educating ourselves and others and preserving for future generations. Impacting young people’s lives has always been important to me and finding that balance became easier in 2017 when I had a cerebral brain aneurysm. Yes, I survived that. My friends and I who have had it are the 5%ers who lived. When that happened, my priorities shifted. That experience changed my way of thinking.”
Having an English teacher as a mother, who taught classics and had shelves of books, seeded Roberts’ interest in a range of genres and authors from informational to sci-fi icon Ray Bradbury and to “having read all books by John Grisham.” Friends shared books, too, and one suggested Caste by Isabel Wilkerson. Roberts insisted the book, “Opened my eyes and made me reflect deeply. I began exploring the work of Bryan Stevenson and the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama. Learning about the five lynchings that occurred in Anderson County was profound.” Spoken Word artist and actor Common, in his homage to I Have a Dream, enshrined the “wisdom of elders and the young people’s energy.” Likened to this tenet, Roberts, who began his entrepreneurial journey as a lightning bug catcher, now carries his family’s legacy and history, rooted in generational strength, to drive change in the Upstate.
“I believe we can better celebrate and honor Black history and culture within our community by committing to continuous learning. Sometimes, even those of us who think we have a solid understanding of our country’s past realize there’s so much more to uncover.” -Terrence V. Roberts
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