Black Tech Company and Auto Maker Opens New Connection Center in Columbia

Exeeder Elective Delivery Vehicle Displayed on Taylor Street April 11th, 2024 

By Javar Juarez- Columbia, S.C

Updated: Saturday April 13th, 2024

Nestled at the intersection of Taylor Street and Barnwell Street, the revitalized old Temple Church building, now a state-of-the-art lifestyle center, marks a significant milestone in Columbia, South Carolina. Near the historic HBCU campuses of Benedict College and Allen University, Curtis and Brenda Smith, pioneering Black business owners, are betting on the electric vehicle (EV) boom in South Carolina.

This past week, the Smiths held a soft launch for their new venture, which was attended by Derek Bailey, the founder and CEO of Derek Automotive and the trailblazer behind America’s first and only Black-owned car company, Exeeder. The event showcased the Exeeder Fleet, featuring electric motorcycles, scooters, and recreational vehicles, all available for public purchase at their Taylor Street showroom.

Curtis and Brenda Smith owner operators Exeeder Connection Center Columbia, SC 

Bailey introduced a groundbreaking prototype EV equipped with the LoopGen generator system, an innovation set to revolutionize EV charging by eliminating the need for traditional charging stations. This system is expected to dramatically reduce reliance on plug-in models and is a peek into future enhancements that will bolster the EV’s appeal by extending vehicle range tenfold, particularly benefiting delivery services amidst the digital economy boom post-COVID-19.

Derek Automotive Founder and CEO Derek Bailey speaks at Exeeder Columbia Launch

Brenda Curtis, a proud alumna of Lower Richland High School, expressed her enthusiasm for the emerging opportunities in the tech industry, particularly EV technology, for the Black community. "The potential for job creation and entrepreneurship is enormous. I was astounded by the prospects," she remarked at the event.

The showroom will soon launch a "Jump Start" program aimed at empowering Black entrepreneurs with minimal initial investment, reflecting the inclusive spirit of this initiative. This center isn’t just a marketplace but a visionary project for demonstrating how EVs can transform local transport dynamics positively.

Street View Exeeder Columbia 1801 Taylor Street Columbia

As Richland County gears up for the controversial Scout Motors plant, which promises to add 4,000 jobs to the local economy, there's growing concern about equitable job distribution and training for county residents to qualify for these opportunities well before the plant's operational deadline in 2027.

The rollout of the Jobs and Infrastructure Act (H.R 3684) by the Biden-Harris administration has been a boon for South Carolina. This legislation is pivotal in promoting sustainable transportation solutions like EVs through grants for public charging infrastructure and innovative transportation projects, including smart grids and autonomous vehicles.

Despite the slow adoption rates for EV's compared to conventional vehicles, the EV revolution presents a unique opportunity for the Black community to lead in innovation. Currently, Black professionals hold less than 8% of tech jobs in the U.S., with Asian workers constituting nearly half of all tech positions in Silicon Valley. This disparity highlights the urgent need for more inclusive practices in tech, especially following the Supreme Court’s decision against race-based affirmative action in college admissions (Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. Harvard, June 29, 2023), which could hinder the progress of diversity in tech sectors.

Curtis Smith is optimistic about the future,  saying “we're going to need employees to help us, we're gonna need sales people, and drivers because we're gonna be stepping out doing a lot of sales with our jump start program."

The Exeeder Connection Center, located at 1801 Taylor Street, welcomes visitors from Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm. For more information on their technology and investment opportunities, visit Exeeder Fleet's website https://www.exeederfleet.com

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