Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lowcountry Welcomes New CEO

CHARLESTON, S.C. (April 2, 2025) – Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lowcountry (BBBSL), an organization providing one-to-one mentoring to underserved youth, is proud to welcome Chajuanna (CJ) Gathers as its new CEO, effective immediately. Gathers brings nearly a decade of nonprofit experience to the role, most recently serving as YWCA Greater Charleston’s Program Director, in which she developed and implemented programs to serve the YWCA’s mission of empowering women and eliminating racism.

In 2017, Gathers founded the W.E. Group, a women’s empowerment nonprofit that promotes emotional and spiritual wellness. She also currently serves on the board of directors for Charleston Hope, which leads mental health initiatives in schools.

"We are thrilled to welcome CJ to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lowcountry," said Peter Davidson, BBBSL Board Chair. "She has quickly embraced the organization and everyone in our ecosystem - Littles and their families, Bigs, community partners, school advocates and BBBSL staff - and we’re excited to see our mission flourish under her leadership. From a solid foundation laid by a visionary leader, we now have an opportunity to provide an even greater depth of services and scale our impact further to underserved kids and families."

Gathers is the organization’s second CEO after its founding executive, Meredith Crowe, departed late last year. Program Director Ryan Vrba bridged the gap in executive leadership, serving as interim CEO. 

BBBSL has been a steadfast partner and advocate in the community since April 2019, serving more than 550 Littles, Scholars, families and Bigs over the past six years. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the national body of which BBBSL is a local affiliate, was founded in 1904 - a testament to the professionally supported one-to-one mentoring model that has improved the lives of Littles and their Bigs for generations.

"I am honored to join Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lowcountry, an organization whose mission resonates deeply with my core values," said CJ Gathers. "I am inspired by the incredible work our dedicated team has already accomplished in this community I cherish. Together, we will ignite the potential of our youth in the Tri-County area through my vision of empowerment, engagement and expansion, because every young person deserves the chance to shine."

Community members in Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties can help defend and ignite the potential of youth in the Lowcountry through volunteering and fundraising. Please visit bbbslowcountry.org/team500 to learn more.

ABOUT BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lowcountry (BBBSL) works with parents, guardians and volunteers to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Using a nationally recognized, evidence- ad outcomes based model, BBBSL mentoring relationships protect and foster scholastic achievement, healthy peer-to-peer/family relationships, avoidance of risky behaviors and strong self-concept among children served.