Chakisse Newton, District 11
Phone: (803) 973-9652
Email: newton.chakisse@richlandcountysc.gov
Term expires: 2026
Councilwoman Chakisse Newton represents Richland County Council District 11, which begins in the City of Columbia near the VA Hospital and Fort Jackson and continues down Leesburg and Garners Ferry roads through Hopkins and Eastover. She has deep roots in Lower Richland, where the Newton family has lived and worked for more than 200 years. In her first run for public office, she continues the family tradition of community service. She brings a fresh perspective to Richland County Council and will focus on accountability, transparency and improving residents' quality of life.
Ms. Newton brings more than 20 years of diverse business experience to Council. She is the owner and president of Cardinal Consulting, which provides strategy, communications, speaking and training services. Her professional work has included clients of all types and sizes, from local nonprofits and regional businesses to global corporations such as Microsoft.
She is active in the community and serves on the board of the United Way of the Midlands, where she has volunteered for more than 10 years. Her other board service includes S.C. Independent Colleges and Universities (current), Richland Library Friends, Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR), and the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, among others. Councilwoman Newton is also recognized as a:
- Liberty Fellow
- Aspen Global Leadership Fellow
- Furman University Riley Diversity Leadership Fellow
- SC Ports Ambassador
- Leadership Columbia Graduate
- Blueprint for Leadership Graduate
- President’s Volunteer Service Award Recipient
- Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce Young Leader of the Year
- Palmetto TWIN Award Winner
- The State (newspaper) 20 Under 40 Award Recipient.