Fifteen Projects Across State Receive Funds to Support Innovation, Entrepreneurship

The South Carolina Department of Commerce  announced the recipients of its 2024 Relentless Challenge grant, which totaled $880,000 granted to 15 projects around the state.

The Relentless Challenge is a statewide competitive grant program for projects that foster a sustainable innovation ecosystem.

Awarded projects must address at least one of four goals that guide the program: catalyzing high-growth entrepreneurship; increasing access to risk capital; supporting collaboration between industry and South Carolina-based institutions of higher education; and enhancing talent development for a sustainable knowledge economy.

“S.C. Commerce is proud to continue supporting the implementation of new projects that open pathways to entrepreneurship and technology development,” said Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III.

He added, “Each Relentless Challenge grant recipient helps make South Carolina an exceptional place for innovative companies to thrive. We are excited to see the impact this year’s projects will have on the state’s innovation ecosystem.”

Since 2013, S.C. Commerce has awarded more than $8.9 million, supporting over 80 local innovation projects. 

The 15 recipient projects include:

Build Carolina –  Build Carolina Minimum Viable Product (MVP) Studio

Charleston Digital Corridor (CDC) – Education Foundation – CDC Learning Center

Clemson University Research Foundation (CURF) – Piloting a New Capital Investment Strategy for High-Growth MedTech Startups

eMYRge –  SaaSConn: Creating the Flywheel Effect for SaaS-Inspired Economic Growth in SC

FRESH at Clemson University – Clemson University Cultivate – Sustainable Packaging Entrepreneurs (SPEs): Connecting SC Businesses with the Next Generation of Sustainable Packaging Designers

GrowCo – Catalyzing Columbia: ColaStarts Bootcamp for Enhancing Statewide Networks and Beyond

Harbor Entrepreneur Center – PROPEL - Re-accelerate Companies Beyond Startup Stage

Hi Mark Capital Foundation ­–  SC Innovation Business Simulation Program

NEXT SC – NEXT SC Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program

OneSpartanburg – Spartanburg Area Ecosystem Foundations Project

Platform at Greer –  Platform at Greer Bootcamp: Expanding to Help Established Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Statewide

SC Tech College System Foundation – Create Opportunity Expansion Project

SCbio – SCbioDrive Life Sciences Accelerator

The Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Furman University –  The Summer Business & Innovation Bootcamp

USC – Faber Entrepreneurship Center – Faber Entrepreneurship Center Expanded Opportunity Workshops.

Gamma Nu Omega Chapter Celebrates 82nd Anniversary, Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month and the 82nd chapter anniversary of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Gamma Nu Omega Chapter, Daniel J Rickenmann, mayor of the City of Columbia, alongside several members of the Columbia City Council,  officially declared Feb. 7, 2024, as Gamma Nu Omega Chapter Day.

Established on Feb. 7, 1942, Gamma Nu Omega Chapter has been a strong presence in the Columbia metropolitan area for over eight decades.

Pioneered by 17 forward-thinking and innovative sorority members under the guidance of Flossy M. Deadman, Gamma Nu Omega Chapter has seen 41 presidents at its helm who have led the charge in serving the residents of Columbia, South Carolina.

The mission and vision of Gamma Nu Omega Chapter focuses on empowering professional, college-educated women to uplift the community through various services including health screenings, financial literacy programs, social justice initiatives, educational support, and voter registration drives.

Over the years, Gamma Nu Omega Chapter has dedicated close to $1 million in scholarship funds to local high school students, while also significantly contributing to the city of Columbia and Richland County through the annual Pink Ice Gala.

Additionally, the chapter has generously donated to numerous nonprofit organizations as part of its commitment to community welfare.

As Gamma Nu Omega Chapter commemorates its 82nd year of service, officials said it remains steadfast in its dedication to carrying forward the legacy of empowering and serving the residents of the Columbia metropolitan area.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was founded on the campus of Howard University in 1908. 

Since then, the sorority has flourished into a globally-impactful organization of over 355,000 college-trained members, bound by the bonds of sisterhood and empowered by a commitment to servant-leadership that is both domestic and international in its scope.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Gamma Nu Omega Chapter was chartered on Feb. 7, 1942 in Columbia, South Carolina. Over 200 business and professional women are members of the chapter. 

For 82 years, Gamma Nu Omega has been serving the greater Columbia area through education, health promotion, family strengthening, environmental ownership, and global impact.

Gamma Nu Omega Chapter initiatives include fitness activities, scholarships, donation of school supplies and backpacks, donation of seasonal wraps, food and supplies for children, social justice advocacy and support to Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 

Duke Energy Celebrates Black History Month With $75,000 In Grants Supporting Community, Cultural Programs in South Carolina

In recognition of Black History Month, the Duke Energy Foundation has provided $75,000 in grants to organizations in South Carolina that serve African American communities with programs, services and cultural experiences.

"For nearly 50 years, we have taken time in February to celebrate the immeasurable contributions Black people have made to our nation, our state and our neighborhoods," said Mike Callahan, Duke Energy's South Carolina state president.

Callahan added, "This rich history continues to inspire organizations that support African American communities and build upon the legacy of those that came before. Through this funding, we are proud to help shine a light on that important work."

Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

Florence Boys & Girls Club – $5,000

G-Lab: Gentlemen Learning & Building Legacies (Florence) – $5,000

City of Sumter academic and senior fitness programs – $10,000

City of Hartsville Pride Park – $5,000

A Father's Way (Lancaster) – $5,000

Boys & Girls Club of the Lakelands Region (Greenwood) – $10,000

Upstate Fatherhood Coalition (Spartanburg) – $10,000

Westside Center (Anderson) – $5,000

The Urban League of the Upstate (Greenville) – $20,000.

The Urban League of The Upstate, an affiliate of the National Urban League, has played a vital role in serving the Upstate community for over 50 years.

Funding from Duke Energy has helped the Urban League develop a tour focused on historic African American neighborhoods and landmarks that were integral to the civil rights movement.

The tour will include a visit to the historic McClaren Medical Building in downtown Greenville, which will house a cultural visitor center. This center will serve as a hub for learning, exploring, and celebrating African American history and achievements.

"Thanks to Duke Energy and the collaboration with Black History in Greenville, Black History Month will be a time to spotlight and celebrate the remarkable accomplishments that African Americans have made in the Upstate community," said Gail Wilson Awan, Ph.D., president and CEO of Urban League of The Upstate.

She added, "As the Urban League continues its mission of advancing social and economic equality, the support of partners like Duke Energy is invaluable. Together, they are working towards creating a future where everyone has equal opportunities to succeed and thrive."

The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work.

The foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

Robert Wilson Awarded the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award

Robert Wilson, senior leadership adviser and community advocate for Spero Financial, was awarded The Lifetime Achievement Award by the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation.

The Lifetime Achievement Award honors an individual who has made a significant and lasting impact in the credit union industry. Wilson was recognized at the Foundation’s Awards Gala in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Feb. 7, 2024.

Brian McKay, president and CEO of Spero Financial, said, “This is a tremendous honor, and one that Robert has earned through his years of work in the credit union industry and the Upstate community. Robert was one of the first leaders I met in my credit union career 20 years ago, and I've been blessed to work beside him, and even more so, blessed to call him a friend.”

As he accepted the award, Wilson said, “If I could summarize my career in one word, it would be serving. Serving is my ‘why’.”

It’s exactly that drive to serve, officials said, that sets Wilson apart and has marked not only his career but his entire life — in service to his family, to his credit union members, and to his community.

His career within the credit union industry spans over 30 years with much of that time spent as the president and CEO of Anderson Federal Credit Union (AFCU) — a position he held until 2021 with the merger of AFCU and SC Telco Federal Credit Union becoming Spero Financial.

In his role as CEO, he led AFCU in expanding the Credit Union’s charter to underserved communities in South Carolina and Georgia and grew assets from $49 million to over $107 million.

At Spero Financial, Wilson has been senior vice president, Lending and Sales before transitioning to senior leadership adviser and community advocate.

Wilson also spearheaded countless initiatives directly impacting the betterment of the community.

Many of these efforts live on today, such as Spero Financial’s joint efforts with AnMed Health in powering the Mobile Mammograph Bus – a first-of-a-kind in the nation that Wilson, alongside AnMed, pioneered many years ago to ensure affordable and accessible breast image screenings to individuals across the Upstate of South Carolina.

Within his community, Wilson has volunteered with Anderson Interfaith Ministries, March of Dimes, Susan G. Komen Foundation, Upstate Homeless Coalition, Meals on Wheels, Foothills Alliance, Haven of Rest Ministries, American Cancer Society, Alzheimer’s Association, Children’s Miracle Network, and more.

He has also coached high school basketball— a role he held for over 35 years.

In his tenure, he also has served in volunteer advisory roles for numerous organizations including the Hospice of the Upstate (Board Chairman), Anderson University Board of Visitors, Anderson University Athletics Advisory Board, Innovate Anderson (Executive Committee), South Carolina Credit Union League (Board), South Carolina Credit Union Management Associate (Treasurer), First Carolina Corporate Credit Union (Board), Piedmont Chapter Credit Union (Board).

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