A Season of Gratitude and a Vision for 2025

Councilman Blount’s….Letter 12-28-24

A Blessed Christmas and a Hopeful New Year

I hope you had a joyful and blessed Christmas surrounded by family, friends, and love. As the New Year approaches, I wanted to take a moment to share something personal—not the typical “newsletter,” but a heartfelt letter from me to anyone willing to take the time to read it.

This holiday season, I had some time to step away from the day-to-day work of County Council and reflect. Life has brought its share of challenges and blessings, and as I thought about the journey that led me to where I am today, I felt compelled to share. If this letter encourages just one person, then being vulnerable in this way will have been worth it.

A New Year, A New Vision

The New Year is an opportunity to dream big, set new goals, and remind ourselves that what seems impossible is often just waiting for us to believe it can be done. Time and again, I’ve seen how faith, hard work, and a focused mindset can change the course of a life.

But let me start by saying this: I know my story isn’t unique. Many of you have faced challenges like mine—or even greater ones. If you’re in the middle of a trial right now, you’re not alone. Sometimes, it’s just good to hear that someone else has been through it too.

Growing up biracial in a small town wasn’t easy. I lived in an environment where race often divided more than it united. Those experiences could have made me bitter or resentful, but they didn’t. Instead, they fueled my determination to break down barriers and prove that our differences don’t define us—they make us stronger.

Raised by a single mother, the odds weren’t in my favor. The statistics said I’d follow a path I didn’t want to walk, but my mother’s dedication and unwavering belief in me changed that. She worked three jobs to make sure I always had what I needed, and her sacrifices showed me what perseverance looks like. Her determination empowered me to see past what many believed was my fate and instead chart a new course. Today, I’m blessed with a loving wife and three incredible children, and I’ve promised to be there for them as long as I have breath in my lungs.

I’ve faced health struggles too. At one point, I weighed 315 pounds and wore size 54 jeans. I felt trapped, but I knew I had to make a change. Through discipline, faith, and hard work, I lost 100 pounds in a year. That experience taught me that we’re capable of more than we imagine when we commit to making it happen.

I grew up in Valdese, NC, a small mill town much like Greenville in its history. When the hosiery mills closed, poverty set in, and many people felt their futures were sealed. But my mother’s example of resilience—and my refusal to accept that mindset—empowered me to believe in a different future. That belief led me to Nashville, where I became a personal trainer for some of the country music stars you hear on the radio today.

Music also found me in an unexpected way. One day at church, I was handed a bass guitar and asked to join the worship team. I didn’t know how to play, and I couldn’t read music, so I sang along to stay on track. That first practice, they took the bass away and gave me a microphone. Before that day, I hadn’t even sung in the shower.

Since then, I’ve toured the country, shared stages with legends like Dolly Parton and Charlie Daniels, and recorded an album in Greenville with one of my musical heroes, Edwin McCain. I’ve signed record and publishing deals, performed in nearly every genre, and even became a finalist on America’s Got Talent—all because I was willing to try, even when it felt impossible.

But not everything has been easy. Since my teenage years, I’ve struggled with severe back and nerve pain caused by a hip impingement that left one leg ¾ inch shorter than the other. Doctors recommended surgery and heavy medication, but I wasn’t willing to just mask the problem. Through faith, dedication, and persistence, I’ve corrected much of the imbalance and alleviated most of the pain. It’s still a journey, but I’ve learned that progress takes time. If you’re working through physical or emotional pain, know this: healing is possible, but it won’t happen overnight. Don’t give up.

Two years ago, I stepped into politics, an entirely new world for me. Many said I couldn’t do it, that I didn’t have what it took. But I believed in myself, leaned on those who supported me, and worked tirelessly to prove them wrong. With your trust, I became District 19’s representative on County Council. It’s still a learning process, but I approach it with the same determination that has guided me through life’s challenges.

Encouragement for Greenville County

As we look ahead to 2025, I want to encourage each of you to dream big, set goals, and chase them relentlessly. Greenville County is a place where dreams can and do come true. Whether you’re working to start a business, become a teacher, preacher, engineer, musician, or anything else, this community is rich with opportunity.

Our growing economy, vibrant arts scene, and commitment to education make this a place where the impossible can become possible. If you’re willing to work hard, believe in yourself, and lean on the community around you, there’s no limit to what you can achieve here.

Let’s make 2025 a year of transformation, growth, and unity. I’m honored to serve this county, and I look forward to seeing all the amazing things we’ll accomplish together.

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A Personal Announcement

In the spirit of everything expressed above, next year, I will be putting in my name to run for Chairman of Greenville County Council. This decision wasn’t made lightly, but it was made with one driving force: YOU, the citizens of Greenville County.

I’ll be the first to admit—if elected, I won’t be the most polished chairman. But polished politics isn’t what we need. In fact, it’s one of the reasons so many have grown disillusioned with government. Too often, leaders seem to put on a polished persona in the council chambers, only to take it off the moment they leave. That’s not who I am, and it’s not who I’ll ever be.

I’m not a professional politician, and I’ll never pretend to be. I don’t have years of experience with parliamentary procedure or the fancy terms that make politics feel distant from everyday life. What I do have is a genuine belief that government should be a reflection of its citizens, not a stage play where people act the part of a leader but fail to embody it.

If elected chairman, I’ll strive to take the polish out of politics and bring it back to what it should be: real people, making real decisions, for the real needs of our community. I want to be a leader who speaks to you, not over you. Someone who listens, learns, and takes action based on the will of the people—not a small group of influential voices.

If I’ve learned anything in my first two years on council, it’s this: we won’t always agree. But I hope I’ve shown that I will fight tirelessly for what I believe is the will of the majority. I will always be willing to collaborate with anyone, including those in positions of power, as long as the end goal is a clear benefit for our citizens. But let me be clear—if elected chairman, everyone will know that I don’t work for the powerful or the influential. I work for YOU!

This isn’t about recognition or a title for me. It’s about handing the reins of government back to the people who truly own it: the citizens of Greenville County. That’s you. I’m running for chairman because I believe our community is ready for genuine leadership—leadership that doesn’t hide behind polished words, or wrap itself in the typical political games, but instead connects with real people and delivers real results.

I know this announcement may be unconventional. But I’ve never been afraid to be a little different if it means doing what’s right. In my next newsletter, I’ll share a broader vision for what I hope to accomplish if given the honor of serving as your chairman. For now, I simply ask for your prayers, your thoughts, and your trust as we embark on this journey together.

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As we find ourselves in this reflective time between Christmas and the New Year, I want to take a moment to thank you, Greenville County, for believing in me and in the collective work of our County Council. I am honored to serve alongside dedicated colleagues who share a commitment to making Greenville County the best it can be, even if we have different opinions on how to reach those goals. Together, I believe we can achieve great things for our community.

As we step into 2025, let’s carry the spirit of collaboration and unity forward. Whether through bold new ideas, hard work, or shared goals, I am confident that our council, guided by your trust and input, will continue to build a brighter future for all. If there is any way I can be of service to you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at bblount@greenvillecounty.org.

Regardless of election outcomes, I am truly excited to get to work with my current colleagues as well as our new incoming Council members. Let’s make 2025 the year we bring government back to the people—where it belongs!

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and hopeful New Year!

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