South Carolina FBLA History
The South Carolina Chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) education association comprised of more than 2,000 students preparing for careers in business and business-related fields within the state of South Carolina.
Mrs. Rita Heape organized our first local chapter, number 105, at Greenville Senior High School on May 26, 1947. The Greenville Senior High School chapter began the school year with 38 members and ended it with 143 members.
Shortly after, Dillion High School chartered the second local chapter in our state. Columbia High School became our third local chapter.
Shortly after, Dillion High School chartered the second local chapter in our state. Columbia High School became our third local chapter.
 Charter Members of Greenville Senior High School Chapter in 1947
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Mrs. Heape organized our first state meeting at Columbia High School in the spring of 1948.
Following this first state meeting, Hemingway High School and Walterboro Senior High School chartered local chapters. South Carolina then applied for and was granted our State Charter. Our state chapter received its charter from Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda, Inc. on February 20, 1949, becoming the 5th state chapter. Since that time, our organization has grown both actively and numerically while continuing to serve its primary function -- producing quality business leaders!
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For our first 28 years, an independent Board of Directors and State Executive Council governed our organization. The following individuals served as our State Adviser during this time:
- Mrs. Rita Heape, 1949-1951
- Mrs. Jewelle Hollis, 1952-1957
- Mrs. Swannanoa Gardner, 1958
- Ms. Nelle Boatwright, 1959
- Mrs. Virginia Atkinson, 1959-1960
- Ms. Maria Culp, 1961-1977
- Mrs. Virginia Atkinson, 1977
In 1977, the Business Education Section of the State Department of Education assumed the governance of our organization. The following individuals served as our State Adviser during this time:
- Dr. Anne L. Matthews, 1977-1985
- Ms. Emily Richardson, 1986-1992
- Ms. Jean Parker & Ms. Linda Albert, 1992
- Ms. Jean Parker & Mrs. Katherine Cliatt, 1993-1996
In October 1996, a change in policy at the State Department of Education regarding sponsorship of Career & Technical Student Organizations returned governance of our organization to an independent Board of Directors and State Executive Council.
At that point, Mrs. Pat Itter became our State Adviser. Mrs. Itter served in that capacity until October 2020. Mr. Ross Jones then assumed the State Adviser position with the agreement of the other members of the Board of Directors.
At that point, Mrs. Pat Itter became our State Adviser. Mrs. Itter served in that capacity until October 2020. Mr. Ross Jones then assumed the State Adviser position with the agreement of the other members of the Board of Directors.
FBLA Purpose
To encourage and promote local chapters in recognized schools teaching Business Education in the state of South Carolina.