SouthState Community Development Advocates: Driven by Purpose, Defined by Impact
8/26/2026 - Stories and Insights
Every community has people who see what others miss.
They notice the nonprofit struggling to meet growing demand. They hear about the small business owner searching for capital. They know which organizations are changing lives and where a little support could make a lasting difference.
At SouthState, those people are our Community Development (CD) Advocates.
From Florida to Colorado, SouthState’s CD Advocates use their passion, local knowledge and relationships to help uncover opportunities, connect resources and strengthen the communities we call home. They are champions for their neighbors, advocates for underserved communities and living examples of SouthState's commitment to pursuing a greater purpose through service.
These aren't just bankers volunteering in their spare time. They're trusted community leaders who help SouthState understand local needs and turn good intentions into meaningful action.
“What makes SouthState’s approach unique is that community development is not viewed as something separate from what we do - it is part of who we are,” said Keila Rodriguez, Winter Park, Florida branch manager and CD Advocate.
They notice the nonprofit struggling to meet growing demand. They hear about the small business owner searching for capital. They know which organizations are changing lives and where a little support could make a lasting difference.
At SouthState, those people are our Community Development (CD) Advocates.
From Florida to Colorado, SouthState’s CD Advocates use their passion, local knowledge and relationships to help uncover opportunities, connect resources and strengthen the communities we call home. They are champions for their neighbors, advocates for underserved communities and living examples of SouthState's commitment to pursuing a greater purpose through service.
These aren't just bankers volunteering in their spare time. They're trusted community leaders who help SouthState understand local needs and turn good intentions into meaningful action.
“What makes SouthState’s approach unique is that community development is not viewed as something separate from what we do - it is part of who we are,” said Keila Rodriguez, Winter Park, Florida branch manager and CD Advocate.
The CD Advocate Program empowers employees at the local level to be actively engaged, build relationships, and serve as a bridge between the bank and the communities we serve. I’m proud to have been chosen for this role and to be part of such a meaningful initiative.
Jose Villarreal, assistant branch manager and CD Advocate in Manor, Texas, shared that he has been in banking for about 15 years with several different financial organizations. “I can honestly say, from the bottom of my heart, that SouthState cares. They genuinely want to make a positive impact in our communities and support our fellow teammates. I believe that commitment to people and communities is what makes SouthState’s approach to community development unique.”
Recently, the 85 CD Advocates at SouthState had the opportunity to travel to South Dallas, Texas, to experience a community that is being redeveloped and redesigned, as guided by a master plan and a vision from non-profits in the area working together.
The community of South Dallas experienced decades of disinvestment rooted in systemic inequities, which created barriers to opportunity for residents. Today, community-led organizations are driving change by reclaiming neighborhoods, strengthening local businesses and creating pathways to opportunity.
Recently, the 85 CD Advocates at SouthState had the opportunity to travel to South Dallas, Texas, to experience a community that is being redeveloped and redesigned, as guided by a master plan and a vision from non-profits in the area working together.
The community of South Dallas experienced decades of disinvestment rooted in systemic inequities, which created barriers to opportunity for residents. Today, community-led organizations are driving change by reclaiming neighborhoods, strengthening local businesses and creating pathways to opportunity.
St. Phillip’s School and Community Center is a driving force behind the reinvestment and revitalization taking shape in South Dallas. During their time together, they walked the streets of the community and experienced some of St. Phillip’s vision come to life, like the WeCreation Center. The WeCreation Center is a creative incubator, where non-profits, small businesses and entrepreneurs come together with youth, adults and senior citizens to produce art of all shapes and sizes – from 3-D printing to leather working to sewing to podcasting. It all happens under one roof, led by volunteers.
The CD Advocates had the opportunity to see and experience businesses like Ruthie’s Café, a non-profit café that invests in second-chance employment and creates opportunities for people rebuilding their lives through meaningful work and job training.
They stopped for a treat at Sweet N Chill, one of the few locally owned ice cream and coffee shops in South Dallas. Sweet N Chill is a small business partner in St. Philip's economic development efforts. The business contributes to local economic growth while providing a welcoming gathering space for residents and visitors.CD Advocates also toured the historic Forest Theater, a cornerstone of South Dallas revitalization efforts. Through its restoration and expansion, the theater is being transformed into a vibrant hub for arts, culture, education, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. As part of the broader Forest Forward initiative, the project leverages arts and culture to drive sustainable and inclusive community development throughout South Dallas.
They had the opportunity to fellowship and eat a farm-to-table meal at Bonton Farms, a farm and wellness center located in the Bonton community of South Dallas where 48 percent of residents live in poverty. Residents of the area were denied access to health and wellness, economic stability, safe and affordable housing, transportation, a sense of belonging, education and access to fair credit. Bonton Farms is addressing these barriers to success and transforming the community.
Ann Towles, branch manager and CD Advocate in Granbury, Texas, said, “I was shocked to learn that a person’s area code can influence life expectancy. Living in South Dallas, can significantly reduce the chances of living past age 65, compared to living in North Dallas.”
The CD Advocates had the opportunity to see and experience businesses like Ruthie’s Café, a non-profit café that invests in second-chance employment and creates opportunities for people rebuilding their lives through meaningful work and job training.
They stopped for a treat at Sweet N Chill, one of the few locally owned ice cream and coffee shops in South Dallas. Sweet N Chill is a small business partner in St. Philip's economic development efforts. The business contributes to local economic growth while providing a welcoming gathering space for residents and visitors.CD Advocates also toured the historic Forest Theater, a cornerstone of South Dallas revitalization efforts. Through its restoration and expansion, the theater is being transformed into a vibrant hub for arts, culture, education, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. As part of the broader Forest Forward initiative, the project leverages arts and culture to drive sustainable and inclusive community development throughout South Dallas.
They had the opportunity to fellowship and eat a farm-to-table meal at Bonton Farms, a farm and wellness center located in the Bonton community of South Dallas where 48 percent of residents live in poverty. Residents of the area were denied access to health and wellness, economic stability, safe and affordable housing, transportation, a sense of belonging, education and access to fair credit. Bonton Farms is addressing these barriers to success and transforming the community.
Ann Towles, branch manager and CD Advocate in Granbury, Texas, said, “I was shocked to learn that a person’s area code can influence life expectancy. Living in South Dallas, can significantly reduce the chances of living past age 65, compared to living in North Dallas.”
A highlight of the event was a keynote address from Dr. Cheryl Jackson, also known as “Action Jackson,” a social entrepreneur and founder of Minnie’s Food Pantry in Plano, Texas, which has served more than 31 million meals and garnered more than 40,000 volunteers, including from SouthState.
Dr. Jackson inspired the CD Advocates to turn vision into bold action – to start with just one step, because their community needs their help.
Dr. Jackson inspired the CD Advocates to turn vision into bold action – to start with just one step, because their community needs their help.
What drew me to becoming a CD Advocate was the opportunity to make a difference beyond the walls of the branch. Banking is ultimately about helping people achieve their goals, and being a CD Advocate allows me to connect with individuals and organizations in our community in a more meaningful way. I wanted to be part of something that helps create opportunities and strengthens the communities we call home
Further driving home the importance of their work, the 85 CD Advocates had the opportunity to attend the Cost of Poverty Experience (COPE), which is an immersive and intense simulation in which each assumes the persona of a low-income family or individual where they are challenged to make real life decisions that are emotional and uncomfortable. They are forced to experience stress in the simulation that evokes anxiety, irritation, anger and sadness. The simulation represents a month in the life of this low-income family, and the scenarios are based on real families and real experiences that these individuals have lived through.
Rounding out the learnings for the CD Advocates, they had the opportunity to have in-depth discussions with more than 20 community partners about what they are seeing in their communities. The CD Advocates asked questions about similar resources that may be available in their markets and to explore creative opportunities for community development.
Senior Community Development Officer Marvett Howard, who works with the CD Advocates in and around the Houston metro area, said, “What I love most about the CD Advocate Program is the passion and commitment our advocates bring to serving their communities. The program creates opportunities for employees to make a meaningful impact by building relationships with local organizations, identifying community needs, and connecting SouthState's resources to help address those needs. It also fosters collaboration across markets, allowing us to learn from one another and share best practices that strengthen our collective efforts. The annual CD Advocate meeting was especially valuable because it highlighted the incredible work taking place across our footprint and reinforced SouthState's genuine commitment to community development and economic empowerment.”
The true impact of a Community Development Advocate cannot be measured solely in volunteer hours, dollars invested or organizations supported. It is found in stronger neighborhoods, deeper relationships and the belief that when passionate people come together with a shared purpose, they can help create lasting change. That is the power of SouthState's Community Development Advocates.
To learn more about how SouthState supports and engages with communities, visit our Corporate Stewardship page.
Rounding out the learnings for the CD Advocates, they had the opportunity to have in-depth discussions with more than 20 community partners about what they are seeing in their communities. The CD Advocates asked questions about similar resources that may be available in their markets and to explore creative opportunities for community development.
Senior Community Development Officer Marvett Howard, who works with the CD Advocates in and around the Houston metro area, said, “What I love most about the CD Advocate Program is the passion and commitment our advocates bring to serving their communities. The program creates opportunities for employees to make a meaningful impact by building relationships with local organizations, identifying community needs, and connecting SouthState's resources to help address those needs. It also fosters collaboration across markets, allowing us to learn from one another and share best practices that strengthen our collective efforts. The annual CD Advocate meeting was especially valuable because it highlighted the incredible work taking place across our footprint and reinforced SouthState's genuine commitment to community development and economic empowerment.”
The true impact of a Community Development Advocate cannot be measured solely in volunteer hours, dollars invested or organizations supported. It is found in stronger neighborhoods, deeper relationships and the belief that when passionate people come together with a shared purpose, they can help create lasting change. That is the power of SouthState's Community Development Advocates.
To learn more about how SouthState supports and engages with communities, visit our Corporate Stewardship page.
