Mr. Levine Dash, Vice President
Mr. Levine Dash, Jr. joined the Columbia Urban League Young Professionals in 2022 and serves as the Vice President and Membership Chair. A native of Orangeburg, South Carolina, Mr. Dash holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology from South University. Professionally, Mr. Dash has worked as an IT engineer for over 12 years. He loves technology and how it connects people from all over the world. During his spare time, Levine loves working out and running, as well as serving the community and helping people.
Mr. Thomas Gilbert, Programming Chair
Mr. Thomas Gilbert joined the Columbia Urban League Young Professionals in 2021 and currently serves as the Personal & Professional Development Chair. Professionally, Mr. Gilbert has a background in human resources and marketing and is strongly interested in public relations. A native of Columbia, South Carolina, he is a graduate of Clemson University. Mr. Gilbert believes the most important part of our journey here on earth is to discover and pursue our God-given purpose and is intentional in making sure that everything that he dedicates his time to, personally and professionally, is aimed at helping to cultivate life's purpose. In his spare time, Mr. Gilbert loves to travel, discover new brunch spots, read, listen to podcasts, and jam to 90s/2000s music! He is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Ms. Candace Thompson, Communications Co-Chair
Ms. Candace Thompson joined the Columbia Urban League Young Professionals in 2021 and currently serves as the Communications Co-Chair. She started her entrepreneurial career in 2012 as a partner ambassador for a travel company and began her full-time career as an Artprenuer in 2017, starting her own mobile paint experience company, Canvases With Candace, LLC. Since starting CWC, Ms. Thompson had the opportunity to expand her company’s brand to Artist Life which includes apparel and art supplies. With CWC, she has been commissioned to create murals around Columbia and has been dubbed “The Word Artist”. In 2019, Ms. Thompson published her first book titled #ImpressYourself and in March of 2021, she aired her radio show, Artist Life Radio. She is a speaker and consultant and believes that entrepreneurship means solving problems and sharing your gifts with the world.
Mr. Danny McCrea, Communications Co-Chair
Mr. Danny McCrea joined the Columbia Urban League Young Professionals in 2021 and currently serves as Communications Co-Chair. A native of Kingstree, South Carolina, he also spent 11 years in the United States Army as a dental assistant. Professionally, Mr. McCrea is the Chief Executive Officer and Creative Director for Diesel Up Digital, where he tells stories through photography, videography, and cinematic video. He loves serving the community and helping young people organize their lives through mentoring and hands-on leadership. Mr. McCrea believes that media is a great form of communication if coupled with the right strategy and brand identity.
Ms. Elána R. Frazier, Immediate Past President
Ms. Elána R. Frazier joined the Columbia Urban League Young Professionals in 2017 and served two terms as Chapter President from 2019 through 2023. She currently serves as an advisor to the Executive Leadership Team. Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, she’s called Columbia, South Carolina home for 6 years now. Professionally, Ms. Frazier consults with government agencies and private entities across the United States to improve strategies across all sectors and address conditions related to social determinants of health including workforce development, economic development, broadband expansion, and equity & inclusion. She previously managed special projects and initiatives sustained by the Governor’s State Workforce Development Board as well as informed policy and legislation around public health. A Johnson & Wales University graduate, Ms. Frazier also holds her Master of Science degree in Project Management from Boston University. During her spare time, Ms. Frazier also serves on the inaugural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Steering Committee and the Indigenous Land Acknowledgement Committee for her alma mater, Johnson & Wales University. She is passionate about initiatives that improve social determinants of health and promote innovation and equity, and is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
