2025 Riley-Wilkins OneSouthCarolina Legislative and Civic Leadership Awards
18th Annual Celebration made possible by presenting sponsor BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
The Riley Institute, together with state legislators and business and community leaders from across South Carolina, honored two exceptional individuals who exemplify what can be achieved through empathy, collaboration, perseverance, and an overriding commitment to the wellbeing of the people of our state at the 18th annual Riley-Wilkins OneSouthCarolina Legislative and Civic Leadership Awards Dinner. Our 2025 awardees were:
Senator Katrina Shealy, (R-Lexington Dist. 23) | 2025 Riley-Wilkins OneSouthCarolina Legislative Leadership Award
Judge Merl Code | 2025 Riley-Wilkins OneSouthCarolina Civic Leadership Award
Event Details
- Tuesday, January 14, 2025
- 6:00-9:00 p.m.
- Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center | Columbia, S.C.
Senator Katrina Shealy
2025 Award for Excellence in Legislative Leadership
Senator Katrina Shealy represented the 23rd District from 2013-2024. When she was elected in 2012, she was the only woman in the South Carolina Senate. Throughout her tenure, Shealy has been an advocate for children and families, playing a leading role in juvenile justice reform and serving as the sponsor of legislation creating the Office of the Child Advocate in South Carolina. During her time in office, Shealy served as chair of the Family and Veterans’ Services Committee; chair of the Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children; and member of the Finance, Corrections and Penology, Rules and Labor, Commerce and Industry committees, and possessed a proven record for working collaboratively to drive progress for South Carolinians.
Judge Merl Code
2025 Award for Excellence in Civic Leadership
In addition to being Greenville’s first African American municipal court judge, Merl Code was the first African American to serve as chairman of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce. An entrepreneur and attorney, Judge Code has served on a number of community boards, including the Furman University Board of Trustees and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Board of Directors, and he is a strong advocate for African American business development and social change. Judge Code has received many awards and honors, including the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian award and the Compleat Lawyer Award by the South Carolina Bar Association.
Watch the Event
Event Photos
Our 2025 Sponsors
This event is made possible by presenting sponsor BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.
We would also like to extend gratitude to South Carolina ETV for producing the videos featuring our winners.
Presenting Sponsor
Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina
Cocktail Reception Sponsor
Partners
Dessert Reception Sponsor
Advocates
South Carolina Research Authority
Friends
The Medical University of South Carolina
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina
South Carolina Association of School Administrators
South Carolina Governor’s School for Agriculture
South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities
South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics
South Carolina Hospital Association
South Carolina School Boards Association
South Carolina Technical College System
Past Riley-Wilkins Awards
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