Beulah White,
Executive Director

(Street Address)
829 Front Street, Suite K
Georgetown, SC 29440

Phone: (843) 527-4596/3035
Fax: (843) 527-3878
fiveriverscdc@aol.com

Incorporated: 1995

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On February 25, 1998, Zenobia Washington experienced one of the greatest losses of her life. Her only brother, Trevor, died. She spent many weeks paralyzed by grief. Zenobia realized that she needed to focus on the positive aspects of her life and keeping Trevor's memory alive, rather than giving in to despair.

Her brother's death, says Zenobia, was "the catalyst" for her decision to create handmade dolls of traditional African women, such as "The Healer" and "The Washer Woman." What began for Zenobia as "a way to keep sane" grew into her "Women of Inspiration" collection and her new life as an artist.

Zenobia enrolled in Five Rivers Community Development Corporation's (FRCDC) Diamonds in the Rough entrepreneurial training program, which provides training and technical assistance to budding entrepreneurs, particularly women and minorities.

Over the course of nine months, Zenobia and 12 other women learned the technical aspects of business development while they supported and encouraged each other to succeed. Zenobia brought samples of her dolls to class, gaining ideas and inspiration from these women for her collection.

More than three years have passed since Zenobia graduated from Diamonds in the Rough, and she continues to receive technical assistance for her business from FRCDC. She has served on the organization's Board of Directors in every capacity except treasurer. Zenobia says that FRCDC has been "invaluable" and "responsible for keeping me focused and not allowing me to get side-tracked."

Today, Zenobia's work is featured in more than 12 galleries and enjoyed in private collections across the world. She describes what running her own business has meant to her in one word: "Freedom."