Willis Sanders, Servant HeArtist 2024 The following is a summary outline of his journey from his humble beginning to his current status as a prolific HeArt creator .
I-HeArt Chapter 1 Born in the HeArt of rural Cross, SC, the fifth of eight boys and one girl, he dreamed of being an artist. While growing up on the farm he often drew figures in the sand and on grocery bags of the family grocery store. Hard work, the importance of an education and Christian values (Jehovah AME Church) were instilled by his parents, the late Garfield and Earnestine Aiken Sanders
II -HeArt Chapter 2 While in school he was the favorite of the teachers for creating posters, designs and bulletin boards. After graduating from Central (Cross High) School he went on to receive degrees from Benedict College (1971-BS in Math) SC State (1976-Masters in Education) and the Citadel (1986-Specialist in Education). While at Benedict he took many art courses and was inducted into the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc and was a Summer Ford Foundation Math Student at Tuskegee Insitute.
III-HeArt Chapter 3 Following his Howe Hall math teaching experiences , he became the Assistant Principal and then principal of Sedgefield Middle School. The students at Sedgefiield Middle ignited his hidden artistic passion and it became the essential component of the schools Go For The Gold (GFTG) Incentive and Recognition Program. Students who met the academic, attendance and conduct requirements received his HeArt. The GFTG program expanded and created the opportunity for him to constantly improve his skills. As an International Visiting Principal Participant, he shared his HeArt with students and principals of the Oxford University Schools in Oxford England. When he moved to District level as the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources he continued with the practice of creating and sharing his HeArt with students, school and district staff, parents , community persons and organizations at the local, state and international levels.
IV. HeArt Chapter 4 During his journey as an Educator/Artist, he has won 89 ribbons from Juried Art Shows as an exhibiting member of the Goose Creek Artist Guild. He has traveled and visited most of the major national and international ( Ecquador, Instabul, London, Madrid, Paris , Quebec, Rome, Toronto and Vancouver ) museums. Some of his numerous awards include: Alpha Phi Alpha Community Service Award (2019) ,Goose Creek NAACP Unsung Hero (2017) National Council of Negro Women Community Service Award (2016), Berkeley County School District Legacy Builders Awards (2016 and 2012), Redeemer Church Community Drum Major for Justice in the Area of the Arts, Goose Creek NAACP Community Service Awards (2013 and 2009) , Alpha Kappa Alpha Community Service Award- Outstanding Contributions to the Arts (1994) Carolina Cameras Principal By Day, Painter By Night (1993), Channel Five’s “Charlie ‘s Hall Of Fame (1991) and the SC Art Educators Association Middle School Principal of the Year (1992)
V-HeArt Chapter 5 In 2013 after 41 years as an Berkeley County School District (BCSD) Educator/Artist he made the transition to being a Community Servant. He is an active BCSD volunteer and serves as a Board Member of the Berkeley Electric Coop, Berkeley County Sheriff Advisory and Ernie Kennedy Center. He continues to use his HeArt to promote the attainment of these organizations missions and goals. He continues to create and donate his HeArt to individuals and organizations ( See the 350 plus on his HeArt of Fame pages) Realizing that Art is in the HeArt and How Great Thou HeArt has been the main drive of his current motto: Sharing Time, Talents and Treasures is the HeArt of a purposeful life. He is also a member of Greater St James AME Church- Summerville, SC
Constantly inspired by God through his many family members, admirers and collectors, special friend Gwen Whitsell, daughters Felecia (Barry), and Jennifer and grand daughter Aniya , his hope is for others to follow his motto as a means to improve our community, state , nation and world. Interested viewers may contact him at : [email protected]
