SAM + City of Spartanburg Announce New Children’s Cabinet

Community members invited to apply for leadership body focused on improving outcomes for children and families

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Spartanburg Academic Movement (SAM), in partnership with the City of Spartanburg, is proud to announce the formation of the Spartanburg Children’s Cabinet, a new collaborative body designed to align youth- and family-serving systems and improve outcomes for children, youth, and families.

The Children’s Cabinet will serve as an advisory body that brings together leaders from public agencies, community-based organizations, and residents to strengthen coordination, improve access to services, and ensure that decisions impacting children and families are informed by both data and lived experience. Spartanburg City Council formally adopted the advisory group following two ordinance readings.

“This is an opportunity for Spartanburg to work differently and more intentionally on behalf of children and families,” said SAM CEO Dr. Russell W. Booker. “The Children’s Cabinet will help align systems, elevate community voice, and create stronger pathways for long-term success.”

As the backbone organization, SAM will provide strategic and administrative support to the Cabinet. The initiative was developed in partnership with national technical assistance provider Third Sector and informed by national research, local focus groups, and a workgroup of community leaders.

The Cabinet will initially focus on two priority areas:

• Youth engagement and workforce pathways for youth and young adults
• Strengthening the early childhood education workforce

“I’m excited to see the Spartanburg community come together around this critical effort to shape solutions that support children and families,” said Spartanburg Mayor Jerome Rice. “We need a diverse range of voices, representing all of our people, to ensure its success."

Mayor Rice and Spartanburg School District Six Superintendent Ken Kiser will co-chair the Cabinet, which will consist of between 10 and 24 members.

Community Members Encouraged to Apply

SAM and the City of Spartanburg are now seeking residents, advocates, professionals, and community leaders interested in serving on the Children’s Cabinet. Individuals who are passionate about improving outcomes for children and families and committed to collaborative problem-solving are encouraged to apply.

The Cabinet will include representation from:
• Public sector organizations
• Community-based organizations
• Residents and community members
• Youth voice partnerships and advisory groups

Members will work together to strengthen policy alignment, improve coordination across systems, and help establish shared accountability measures that support long-term success for Spartanburg children and families.

Click here to apply for the Children’s Cabinet. The application deadline is June 14.