We salute the men listed in our annual list of INFLUENITAL BROTHA’S not only for the exceptional in work in their related fields but also for their commitment to uplifting of our people and community.
Reginald Dwayne Betts – Poet / Lawyer
Reginald Dwayne Betts is a poet and lawyer. A 2021 MacArthur Fellow, he is the Executive Director of Freedom Reads, a not-for-profit organization that is radically transforming the access to literature in prisons through the installation of Freedom Libraries in prisons across this country.
For more than twenty-years, he has used his poetry and essays to explore the world of prison and the effects of violence and incarceration on American society. The author of a memoir and three collections of poetry, he has transformed his latest collection of poetry, the American Book Award winning Felon, into a solo theater show that explores the post incarceration experience and lingering consequences of a criminal record through poetry, stories, and engaging with the timeless and transcendental art of paper-making.
In 2019, Betts won the National Magazine Award in the Essays and Criticism category for his NY Times Magazine essay that chronicles his journey from prison to becoming a licensed attorney. He has been awarded a Radcliffe Fellowship from Harvard’s Radcliffe Institute of Advanced Study, a Guggenheim Fellowship, an Emerson Fellow at New America, and most recently a Civil Society Fellow at Aspen. Betts holds a J.D. from Yale Law School.
Clyde Anderson – Banking Executive
Anderson is the SVP, Director of Community Lending at Ameris Bank, where he is responsible for driving the bank’s Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and Fair Lending outreach program. With over 20 years of experience in the economic development and housing sectors, they have a remarkable ability to conceive and execute strategies that deliver exceptional outcomes for communities and businesses. Clyde is also a former CNN Housing Market Commentator and a trusted business/money analyst, with a mission to empower individuals with the knowledge, resources, and strategies essential for financial growth and prosperity.
Clyde’s expertise hinges on the harmonization of meticulous strategic planning, flawless execution, and the unwavering engagement of employees, resulting in remarkable bottom-line impacts. He has played a pivotal role in numerous national housing initiatives, overseeing the creation of over $100 million in loan funds to catalyze new housing and business ventures. He has also underwritten over $100 million in commercial development financing, leveraging over $300 million in layered funding for developers. Clyde’s profound insights into the affordable housing market and real estate industry have shaped communities and propelled economic development goals. He is also the author of timeless narratives, “What Had Happened Was”, “FundaMENTAL W.E.A.L.T.H. Principles” and “Where’s My Change”, all of which resonate deeply with his audience. Clyde takes immense pride in serving as a conduit for positive change and a driving force behind economic empowerment and the expansion of financial capabilities, particularly for individuals of color aspiring to build wealth through homeownership.
Bishop Darrell Fairer – Ministry Leader
Suffragan Bishop Darrell Fairer is the esteemed founding pastor of Destiny Fellowship Church, located in Fort Wayne, IN, and serves as the Senior Pastor of Greater Faith Bible Tabernacle, which is situated in Buffalo, NY. He began his preaching journey in September 1995, was officially licensed to minister in 1999, and subsequently ordained in 2003. In addition to fulfilling his role as a Pastor, he also holds the significant position of Suffragan Bishop within the Global Missions organization and serves as the Adjutant Bishop within the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith International. Bishop Fairer has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministry and a Master’s Degree in Theology, with a concentrated focus in Pastoral Leadership and Development.
Most recently, he was distinguished as a Fellow with the 2023-2024 cohort of the Fellowship of Emerging Leaders in Ministry at Syracuse University. Over the span of almost 30 years, he has had the privilege of ministering both nationally and internationally. Furthermore, he is the president of PDFMin, LLC, an organization dedicated to the mission of INFORMING, INSTRUCTING, and INSPIRING individuals through various mediums, including preaching, teaching, books, consulting, and mentoring. His ministry can be accessed 24/7 through DarrellFairer.com and also includes the Fresh Start Daily Morning Devotional. Suffragan Bishop Fairer has been married to his wife, Sherea R. Fairer, since October 1997, and together, they are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters, Lauryn and Monique who both serve within the ministry.
Dallas Frazier – Radio Programmer / Host
Dallas Frazier aka Tony D passion to help new and independent gospel artists was birthed in 2004 as a member of national recording artist IV Christ. Tony D noticed the struggle for airplay and promotion
for new gospel artists and wanted to do something to break down the barriers that blocked many dynamic new artists. The New Artist Profile was birthed in 2003 and launched its first show on WAAW
94.7 FM in Aiken South Carolina. He has introduced listeners all over the nation to the best and brightest in gospel/inspirational music and groups The New Artist Profile currently airs on more than 40 stations across the United States and abroad.
Tony D’s passion to educate and promote new artists led to him organizing Christian Sounds Entertainment Company. CSE manages groups, markets for groups and assists in artist development. Something that a lot of companies are getting away from. CSE has helped organize the cd release events for several nationally known artist and currently manages and consults several Christian artists. In 2016, Tony D himself became a recording artist by releasing his first solo project “Music from My Heart” released under his own label Christian Sounds Entertainment. In 2017 TonyD teamed with Timolin Atkins of TAG Entertainment Group to create CSTAGE RADIO. The station launched in 2019.
The concept behind CSTAGE RADIO was to give independent and emerging gospel recording artists a radio platform to have their music played and exposed to the world. The stations is growing daily and its listening audience has grown to over 1,700 monthly listeners. TonyD formally served as Music Director at WAAW Shout 94.7FM in Aiken S.C. where he also hosted The Afternoon Drive program as well as The New Artist Profile show every Friday evening. Tony D was honored in 2022 as an official nominee as Radio Show Host of The Year at the Stellar Gospel Music Awards. January 2024 Tony D built and launched WCSE Radio. The mission of WCSE Radio is to serve as a major voice in media for the CSRA. Our programming will be inspirational as well as informative. We desire to become the voice of the Central Savannah River Area.
Terence T. Isaac – Educator / Administrator
Issac was named principal of Polo Road Elementary in 2024 and brought a wealth of experience in education to his new role. He has served as assistant principal since 2020, currently serving at Lake Carolina Upper Campus and previously at Sandlapper Elementary, where he has demonstrated strong leadership skills and a commitment to fostering academic excellence.
Isaac’s career in education spans over a decade, beginning as a teaching assistant at Polo Road. He later served as a fourth and fifth-grade teacher at Polo Road from 2012 to 2020. His experience also includes a position as Program Director and Campus Director at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands (in Richland Two schools) from 2007 to 2015.
Throughout his career, Mr. Isaac has distinguished himself through his commitment to educational excellence. He has facilitated professional development opportunities to promote academic achievement, developed and maintained school safety procedures, and implemented positive classroom management strategies. Isaac is known for his ability to foster positive relationships with students and staff, promoting a culture of excellence in every educational setting he has served.
