The Honorable Kambrell Houston Garvin
SC House of Representatives District 77

“Excellence can be obtained if you care more than others think is wise, risk more than others think is safe, dream more than others think is practical and expect more than others think is possible.” -Claude Bissell

 

Kambrell Garvin was born and raised in Columbia by a single-mom who instilled the importance of education, hard work, grit, and determination. At the age of 5, he was diagnosed with a speech impediment. It was then that his mom changed the trajectory of her career and pursued a career as a speech therapist to assist him in overcoming that challenge. As a result of her willingness to go above and beyond to assist him, today, Kambrell can speak clearly and confidently; turning what once was a weakness into strength and in the process, discovering the power of his voice.

 

At an early age, Kambrell used his voice to serve as an advocate to move his community forward. As a young community leader, Kambrell: organized his first voter registration campaign at the age of 10, led efforts that registered hundreds of new voters, and led various political and civic initiatives throughout the United States. Notably, Kambrell served as the President of the trailblazing S.C. NAACP Youth and College Division. 

 

After graduating from A.C. Flora High School, Kambrell went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with minors in African American Studies and Sociology from Winthrop University in 2013; Masters of Science in Education from Johns Hopkins University School of Education in 2016; and his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2019. 

 

At Winthrop University, Kambrell served two terms as the Student Government President, ex-official member of the Board of Trustees, and voting member of the 10th Presidential Search and Selection Committee. He was named the recipient of Winthrop University’s 2020 Outstanding Young Alumni Award.

 

A longtime equitable education advocate, Kambrell joined Teach for America, a non-profit organization dedicated to building the movement to eliminate educational inequity. He spent three years as a South Carolina public school teacher in Walterboro, SC, a rural community located along the I-95 corridor. While teaching, Kambrell spearheaded the first ever 6th grade overnight field trip, science fair and was actively engaged in his school and local community. As an educator, he used his voice and instilled in his students that they could achieve anything that they put their minds to and that their zip code would not limit their future success.

 

Each of these experiences equipped Kambrell with a unique perspective and furthered his passion to bring positive change to his community and state. After returning to his hometown, Kambrell realized that his community deserved a strong voice championing issues of importance. Inspired by the example of his grandfather, who fearlessly served as the first African American on his local city council, Kambrell launched a grassroots campaign for the SC House of Representatives District 77. In June 2018, at age 26, Kambrell won the Democratic Primary with nearly seventy percent and the subsequent general election with eighty-five percent of the vote – all while still in law school.

 

Kambrell clerked for a prominent insurance, school, and municipal defense firm. He later gained invaluable experience practicing law at a reputable plaintiff’s firm in South Carolina. In 2022, at age 30, he launched the Kambrell Garvin Law Firm, LLC, a statewide SC and NC personal injury, medical malpractice, and municipal law firm. As a lawyer, Kambrell continues to be a voice for those most in need of an advocate in their pursuit of justice. 

 

While Kambrell has achieved many professional accomplishments and accolades, he takes the most pride in being a person of faith and committed family man. Kambrell is the son of Dr. Sonji Garvin Baxter, Rev. John K. Baxter, and Reginald S. Garvin, Sr. He is married to his college sweetheart, Monique Patton Garvin, and the couple resides in Blythewood, SC with their daughter Wrenley, and Yorkie-Poo, Chloe. 

 

Kambrell is known throughout the community and state for his down-to-earth and caring demeanor. When Kambrell is not busy serving constituents or practicing law, he enjoys traveling, grilling, brewing and sampling craft beer, swimming, weightlifting, off-roading, and spending time with family.

 

Professional Affiliations

  • SC Association for Justice
  • SC Black Lawyers Association 
  • Richland County Bar Association
  • SC Bar 
  • NC Bar  

Community Affiliations

  • Member, First Nazareth Baptist Church 
  • Columbia Branch NAACP
  • Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
  • SC Education Association

Legislative Affiliations 

  • SC Lawyer-Legislator
  • SC House Democratic Caucus 
  • Vice Chair, Richland County Legislative Delegation (2020-Present)
  • Parliamentarian, SC Legislative Black Caucus (2020-Present)
  • Legislative Oversight Committee (2020-Present)
  • Agricultural Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee (2020-Present)
  • Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee (2018-2020)
  • Interstate Cooperation Committee (2018-2020)
  • Covid-19 Employment, Workforce and Business Recovery Committee (2020)

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