GREENVILLE, S.C. – Joseph Fields, Habitat’s Vice President of Equity, has been named to the Diversity Leaders Initiative (DLI) from Furman University’s Riley Institute Spring cohort.
A graduate of Chaminade University, Fields served as Paraprofessional Program Aid for the Blue Ridge Council of the Boy Scouts of America from 2009 to 2014; as an Outreach and Education for Maryland-based Pathways, a youth services program, from 2014 to 2016; and then worked in Hawaii’s state’s probation office as a Social Services Assistant from 2016 to 2019.
From 2019 to 2021, he worked for the Georgia Department of Corrections before taking a job working in New Mexico as a U.S. Border Patrol Agent. He returned to Greenville in 2022 to work as a community organizer with Greenville Connects, a group that promotes better transportation options.
He joined Habitat in 2023, and is charged with leading the new program to increase Black homeownership in greater Greenville County by building partnerships and raising awareness.
In this DLI program, class members are selected through a rigorous application and interview process after being nominated by existing graduates of the program, known as Riley Fellows. They are accepted based on a variety of factors, including their interest in and commitment to the program and their capacity to create impact within their organizations and communities. Each class is crafted to reflect South Carolina’s demographic makeup.
Fields will take part in a highly interactive curriculum consisting of case studies, scenario analyses, and other experiential learning tools that maximize interaction and discussion among classmates and facilitate productive relationships. Working alongside classmates, Fields will also develop a capstone project that raises awareness of community need.
Now in its twentieth year, the program equips participants with tools and perspectives to leverage diversity to improve organizational outcomes and drive social and economic progress in South Carolina.
About Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County:
Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County opened its doors in 1985 to bring families, community partners, and volunteers together to construct affordable, energy-efficient homes that help families build strength, stability, and self-reliance. As of May 2023, Habitat Greenville has completed the construction of 405 homes. Habitat Greenville received the 2017 Builder of the Year award from EarthCraft, and in recognition of financial health, accountability, and transparency, maintain a 4-Star Charity status by Charity Navigator. Habitat Greenville ReStores are located at 3033 Wade Hampton Boulevard, and 1818 Woodruff Road. Call 864-312-5016 for free donation pickups.
Learn more at www.habitatgreenville.org.