Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of stories running in February on emerging Black leaders in the Greenville community.
Natasha Pitts was raised to be part of something bigger than herself.
The ideology was instilled in her at a young age while growing up in Spartanburg. Born to a young, single mother, Pitts was raised with the help of her grandmother, Vera Nesbitt, who showed Pitts the importance of being involved by encouraging her to participate in choir and other activities at their local church.
“As I look back now, those are some of the highlights and the memories that I have with her,” Pitts said. “Those are a lot of the moments that I feel shaped my future without knowing.”
Pitts later discovered her passion for serving the community while working for the city of Spartanburg after graduating from the University of South Carolina Upstate. She spent 17 years working for the city in various roles, overseeing minority business development and, later, equity and inclusion.
Today, Pitts serves as Greenville Chamber of Commerce vice president of diversity and economic inclusion. She helps impact the business community by carrying out the chamber’s diversity and inclusion efforts such as the South Carolina Minority Business Accelerator.
“I go to work every day with the intention of making an impact — regardless of how big or how small,” Pitts said.
Pitts’ work doesn’t end with the Upstate’s business community. She is also involved with multiple organizations and nonprofits, including the Children’s Advocacy Center of Spartanburg, United Negro College Fund, United Way of Greenville County’s African American Leadership and more.
“By being a part of those organizations, I have been able to see firsthand the change that being involved can make,” Pitts said.
Outside of work, Pitts and her husband, James, raised their two children, Asia and Elijah, in Spartanburg. The importance of being involved and helping others was passed down. Pitts said an old African proverb her family likes is: “If you want to go fast, you go alone. If you want to go far, you go together.”
“It just lets us know that they understand that this journey that they’re on; it’s not about what we’re doing today,” Pitts said. “It’s about the impact that we can leave for the generation coming behind us.”
Question and answer
What do you like to do in your free time?
“I love to vacation, and it doesn’t even have to be an extravagant vacation. It can be a weekend at the beach, it can be a spa day.”
What drives you?
“I think it’s impact. It’s never personal. It’s never for my own personal gain or personal recognition.”
What are some of your passions?
“One of my passions would be helping people. Another one of my passions is family and spending time creating memories with family.”
About Natasha Pitts
Name: Natasha Pitts
Age: 42
Current position: Vice president of diversity and economic inclusion for the Greenville Chamber of Commerce
Past experience: Equity and inclusion manager, minority business development coordinator, alarm coordinator and support services admin for the city of Spartanburg
Involvement: Children’s Advocacy Center of Spartanburg, United Negro College Fund’s Masked Ball Planning Committee, United Way of Greenville County’s African American Leadership, CommunityWorks Women Business Center Advisory Board, Founders Federal Credit Union Regional Advisory Board
