Alfred Mae Drakeford, Mayor

Alfred Mae Drakeford, Mayor of Camden SC, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of South Carolina, and has completed 30+ additional hours in Business Management from the University of South Carolina.  She retired as manager of quality and training from E. I. duPont de Nemours & Company, Inc., Lugoff, South.

On November 2, 2004, November 4, 2008 and November 2012 she was elected and re-elected to the Camden City Council, the first African American female to hold that position.  Mrs. Drakeford is Chairperson of the Board of Directors Santee Lynches Regional Council of Governments.

In the community, she is actively involved with Habitat for Humanity, Chairperson of the Board for United Way, Heritage Community Bank Advisory Board,  Kershaw County IMPACT, Kershaw County Housing Partnership, Homeless Housing Committee, past  President for Camden Rotary,  the Municipal Association of South Carolina Board of Directors,  steering committees for Human Development and Small Cities Council, Board of directors for the National Black Caucus for Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO) and member of Women in Municipal Government (WIMG).  Alfred Mae is an established leader within Kershaw County and Camden, South Carolina.  On January 17, 2005 she was named Humanitarian of the Year for Kershaw County.

A lifetime member of St John Baptist Church, Mrs. Drakeford enjoys working in her church.  She is a former Sunday School teacher, Trustee, Usher, Missionary and has served as coordinator of activities for the youth of the church and community.

She is married to Ernest Drakeford Jr.  They have one daughter, Kimberly who is married to Major Reginald Mosley (USAF), and one granddaughter Sydney Elise of Las Vegas, NV.

Email Mayor Alfred Mae Drakeford at amdrakeford@camdensc.org

Jeffrey R. Graham, Council Member

Councilmember Jeffrey R. Graham returned to the Camden City Council in 2014.  Jeffrey Graham takes pride in his hometown. He was born and raised in this historic city and remains deeply engaged in the life of his community.  His continuing priorities include economic development, infrastructure, strategic planning, education and tourism.

Jeffrey is a graduate of Camden High School and a 2004 graduate from Presbyterian College of South Carolina with a bachelors’ degree in Business Administration.  Jeffrey is a local, small business owner of Graham Realty, Inc.  As a very active member of the community, Jeffrey currently serves:
–    Board of Directors, Goodwill Upstate and Midlands
–    Rotary Club of Camden, President-Elect
–    Kershaw Country Board of Realtors, President-Elect
–    Advisory Board, First Community Bank
–    Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce
–    United Way Housing Partnership
–    Democratic Party, Former Chairman, Treasurer
–    and, is past President of the Association of SC Mayors (ASCM).
Jeffrey is also the initiator of the City of Camden’s Leader Legacy Recognition Program.

Jeffrey and his wife, Sara, are the proud parents of a son, Edwards, and daughter, Bailey.  They are engaged members of Lyttleton Street United Methodist Church.

Email Councilmember Jeffrey Graham at jgraham@camdensc.org

 

Hamilton Boykin, Council Member

Councilmember Hamilton Boykin was elected to Camden City Council in December 2022.  He is a lifelong Camden resident and lives here with his wife and two girls in Camden public schools.  Hamilton is an international sales professional with an extensive background and personal expertise in high-end hunting and specialized outdoor equipment. He has a bachelor’s degree in international business from the College of Charleston and currently works with Leica Sport Optics as an Education Manager.  He is also an avid traveler and lifelong hunter and a proud member of the Board of Directors for Safari Club International, Low Country Chapter. 

Councilmember Hamilton Boykin was elected to Camden City Council in December 2022.

Email Councilmember Hamilton Boykin at hboykin@camdensc.org

 

 

Joanna B. Craig, Council Member

Councilmember Joanna B. Craig retired in 2015 as Executive Director of Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site after 26 years. During her tenure running the nationally acclaimed site, she developed numerous interpretive programs for the community and tourists and was a primary partner of such popular events as Revolutionary War Field Days, Jammin’ in July, FireFest, History Days, and Patriots, Picnic and Pops.

A native of New York, Craig periodically visited Camden during her youth and moved here in 1973 to join the ‘southern half of her family’ (she is a direct descendent of Camden’s Founding Father, Joseph Kershaw, for whom Kershaw County is named).

Earlier in her career, Joanna worked in magazine publishing at the New Yorker magazine and as managing editor of Sporting Classic, a national  magazine now based in Columbia. While president of the Kershaw County Historical Society, she was editor of the award-winning Decorative Arts of Camden and Kershaw County. She also was co-owner of the Corner Book Store gift shop in Dusty Bend, which she sold to complete a B.A. in psychology at the University of South Carolina.

Joanna’s long-time community service includes the Camden Planning Commission (since 1992), Camden Rotary, stints on the KC Accommodation Tax Committee, Olde English Commission, United Way/Business Division, Camden Main Street Program, Camden Business Alliance and as a “history-preservation” representative for various City and County strategic plans.

Her work has led to several awards, including a SC Legislature Concurrent Resolution recognizing her work; a Martha Washington Medal by the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution for her leadership in creating a Congressional-pending national heritage area and advocate for the protection of the Battle of Camden Site. In 2007, she testified before the U.S. House Natural Resources Subcommittee in support of inclusion of the Battle of Camden site (and Historic Camden) as a National Park or National Battlefield.

Long ago Craig swapped her tennis racquet for early morning KC Rec. Department swims and year-round walks in the historic districts. Strong on enhancing Camden/County sports programs, she also has more than a passing interest in motorsports be it NASCAR, Formula One or Kershaw County’s world-class testing and competition facility, Carolina Motorsports Park. Her “need for speed” has included volunteering for the South Carolina Thoroughbred Retirement Association and participation in “Fast Women.”

Joanna has one daughter, Megan, a graduate of Camden High School, who resides in El Cerrito, California, with her husband and two children.

Email Councilmember Joanna Craig at jcraig@camdensc.org

 

Stephen R. Smoak, Council Member

Councilmember Stephen R. Smoak was first elected to the Camden City Council in 2016. Stephen chose to return to his hometown many years ago and immediately immersed himself in community activities.  He is pleased with the progress Camden has made in recent years but recognizes its potential for even greater things. Stephen appreciates the challenge facing Camden in embracing growth in a way that does not compromise the unique character of the community. As the son of two long-time educators, Stephen attended the local public schools graduating from Camden High School in 1992. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Furman University, Smoak attended the University of South Carolina School of Law.  He joined the law firm of Savage, Royall & Sheheen in Camden in 2000. Stephen was twice elected to Kershaw County Council representing the 5ᵗʰ District (Camden area) from 2006-2014.  He served as Vice-Chairman of Council during the final two years. He was formerly a board member for the Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments where he was Chairman of the Workforce Committee. Having served as a board member for multiple charitable entities in Kershaw County.  Stephen is a Past President of Habitat for Humanity of Kershaw County, a Past President of the Kiwanis Club of Camden, and a Past President of the Kershaw County Bar Association.  Most of his time outside of work and public service to Camden revolves around his children’s various sports and activities although he occasionally finds a few hours for a round of golf. Stephen and his wife, Crystal, are the parents of four children- Liza , Sarah Anne, Roger, and Evie. They are active members of First Baptist Church in Camden. Email Councilmember Stephen Smoak at ssmoak@camdensc.org