PRESS RELEASE
Village at River’s Edge

Contact:
Meredith Geisler
Tandem Sports + Entertainment, LLC
703-740-5015
mgeisler@tendemse.com

Carolina Panthers Defensive End Charles Johnson is a key partner of the project.

Columbia, S.C., July 23, 2015 – Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson and Chamire Holdings, LLC will celebrate the groundbreaking of the company’s newest affordable housing development, the Village at River’s Edge, on Wednesday, July 29, 2015. The ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the intersection of McQueen Drive and Rawl Street in Columbia, S.C.

A team captain for the Panthers, Johnson is also a savvy businessman and philanthropist involved in a number of off-the-field projects. The Village at River’s Edge is being completed in large part, thanks to Johnson, who is a partner for Chamire Holdings, LLC. This phase of the Village at River’s Edge will consist of 124 new, affordable, two- and three-bedroom housing units. The development will also feature a community building with programming space, an outdoor gazebo and a children’s play area. Future phases are planned to include an additional 26 affordable townhouse units and a 48-unit affordable apartment building for elderly residents. The new units are in addition to the Columbia Housing Authority’s 60 townhouses that currently occupy portions of the development.

In 2012, Johnson created the Charles Johnson Foundation, which is dedicated to providing opportunities for under-served youth to reach their full potential through athletic, recreational, and educational programs and initiatives; and to provide support for single African American mothers through proven programs and initiatives.
In addition to Johnson, the project has received financial support from the following parties, who have helped bring the development to fruition:

  • Columbia Housing Authority
  • Bank of America
  • South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority
  • America First Multifamily Investors
  • Midland Housing Trust Fund
  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
  • US Bank

The dedication ceremony features a speaking program with special guests and representatives from funders of the project. Light refreshments will be served. Those interested in attending should contact Marnie Robinson at (803) 361-5461 or Cynthia Hardy at (803) 447-3770. For media requests or questions about the Charles Johnson Foundation, contact Meredith Geisler at mgeisler@tandemse.com or (703) 740-5015.

ABOUT CHAMIRE HOLDINGS, LLC
Chamire Holdings, LLC is a South Carolina-based holding company that develops and owns affordable and market-rate residential rental properties. Led by managing partner Reginal Barner, future Chamire projects include a development for homeless veterans, the rehabilitation and conversion of a textile mill into commercial and residential space; a college dormitory near the University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie; and 72 affordable rental townhomes in Rock Hill, S.C. Questions about Chamire Holdings can be directed to (803) 643-4224.

For Village at River’s Edge leasing information, please contact Leslie Williams from Superior Management at 803-748-1343.

ABOUT CHARLES JOHNSON & THE CHARLES JOHNSON FOUNDATION
Charles Johnson is a native of Hawkinsville, GA, and a proud alumnus of Hawkinsville High School. After attending the University of Georgia where he starred at defensive end, Charles was drafted by the Carolina Panthers of the NFL in 2007 and now serves as a captain of the team.

Through eight professional seasons, Charles has received All-Pro recognition on the strength of 62.5 career sacks, placing him among the premier pass-rushers in the league.
In 2012, Charles’ passion for philanthropy and loyalty to Middle Georgia led him to launch the Charles Johnson Foundation. A non-profit organization, the Charles Johnson Foundation is dedicated to fulfilling a two-fold mission:

  • Providing opportunities for under-served youth to reach their full potential through athletic, recreational, and educational programs and initiatives; and
  • Providing support for single African American mothers through proven programs and initiatives.

The Charles Johnson Foundation Sports Academy and Community Weekend is the flagship annual event for the Charles Johnson Foundation, combining his efforts to advance education with free sports clinics in football, basketball, tennis, dance and cheer.