Ms. Hope Blackley began her professional career with the United Way of the Piedmont, Village Partnership as a preschool teacher. From there, she joined the 7th Circuit Solicitor’s Office as a child victim advocate where she assisted and prepared children for criminal court working under the direction of former solicitor, Trey Gowdy.

In 2004, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford appointed her as the Crime Victims’ Ombudsman for the state where she investigated complaints of crime victims against criminal and juvenile justice organizations. Ms. Blackley also directed the Governor’s Office of Victim Services Education & Certification (OVSEC) where she helped write legislation creating this office. Ms. Blackley created and implemented training for those who served crime victims through OVSEC in South Carolina.

In 2010, Ms. Blackley was appointed Spartanburg County Clerk of Court, where she currently manages the day-to-day operations of the courthouse and court system, as well as supervises 50 employees.

In January 2019, Ms. Blackley joined Congressman William Timmons office as his District Director.  In this capacity Ms. Blackley oversees the administrative duties of the Spartanburg and Greenville district offices and staff.

Ms. Blackley has served on numerous boards such as the United Way of the Piedmont, Converse College Board of Visitors, South Carolina Coalition for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Spartanburg Regional’s Women’s Advisory Council, Carolina Pregnancy Center, Spartanburg Village Network, Circle of Friends for Mobile Meals, the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind Foundation Board, the University of South Carolina Upstate Foundation Board, the 2016/2017 President of the South Carolina Clerk of Court and Register of Deeds Association, Tri- chair member of the Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce’s Community & Economic Strategy Steering Committee and  was the recipient of the 2014 Upstate Urban League’s Whitney M. Young, Jr Humanitarian Award.  Currently, Ms. Blackley serves on the Mayr Black Foundation Board of Trustee and on the Institute for Youth Justice.

One of Ms. Blackley’s personal joys is giving back to her community.  Ms. Blackley currently partners with the Spartanburg County Foundation to host the Institute for Youth Justice, where junior and senior high school students are formally introduced to the criminal justice system by empowering them to become devoted to the education and promotion of the criminal justice field.  Ms. Blackley is a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church and the mother to a wonderful daughter, Currin Halle Blackley, who is a high school senior.

She lives by her personal motto, “Never allow anyone to set limits on your life because you never know who you might encourage by your determination.”

Source:https://www.scetv.org/stories/women-vision-sc/2019/hope-blackley