About us

16.04.bettersouth_color_233The Center for a Better South is a pragmatic nonprofit that provides adult entrepreneurship Classes to address and solve the problem of economic inequality. 

Statement by Chairman Jimmy Bailey Sr.

 In 2009, Charleston received the highest award given annually by the U.S. Conference of Mayors for the entrepreneurial program developed by YEScarolina; The Palmetto Artisans, aka The Rose Kids. Our mayor, Joe Riley, asked that I join him on stage to accept the award and address the Conference of Mayors. Every city in the country was represented and because the invitation to speak was at the last minute, I did not know what I was going to say until I stepped up to the microphone. What came from my heart was a challenge to every mayor to do two things.  First, to eliminate every impediment that prevents a young person from becoming financially independent and secondly to address the problem of economic inequality.

 Youth Entrepreneurship South Carolina, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is the leading organization in South Carolina dedicated to teaching youth the principles of entrepreneurship and free enterprise. Recognizing that South Carolina’s future is dependent upon a vibrant entrepreneurial economy, YEScarolina is preparing today’s youth to be tomorrow’s business owners and business leaders.

Now, the Center For a Better South, will provide Adult Entrepreneurship Classes to address and solve the problem of economic inequality. This will be accomplished with the same energy and commitment that was made to the Rose Kids and the 20,000 plus students in South Carolina.

The Center’s history before 2021

Prior to an internal reorganization in 2021, the Center served as a pragmatic, nonpartisan think tank that develops ideas, strategies and tactics to help to reduce poverty, increase economic opportunities , bolster the common good and work with thinking leaders who want to make a difference in the American South.

The tax-exempt organization, founded in 2005, worked on practical solutions for budget and environmental issues, as well as developing policy alternatives for dealing with the aftereffects of the Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010.  In recent years, it also worked to bring people together to curb the effects of poverty through collaboration and training

Whether through books, conferences, trainings or media presentations, the center works to move the South forward by connecting good ideas with thinking leaders.