The Art of Learning, a Columbia, SC-based online education platform, is conducting winter check-ups with students to assess progress in their academic journey and in which areas they can improve.

Through a multi-year grant from Bank of America, programs that help address the region’s issues around economic opportunity and racial equality will be able to scale, helping even more people in our local community. The Columbia Urban League has been named as the 2021 Bank of America Neighbo…

This month’s Auntie Karen "Think Big Know Bigger" Success Story features Sylvia Williams: Visual Artist, Graphic Designer, and the owner of SPW Creations.

The South Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIASC) presented Michael Allen, AIA, founder and CEO of MOA Architecture, the 2021 Social Justice Award during the annual meeting held virtually on Dec. 9. Allen was recognized for his work to eliminate inequities in the bui…

Tia Brannon, a native of Columbia, began doing hair at an early age. It started when she did a neighbor’s hair.

Scientists know a thing or two about chain reactions.

A criminal law attorney who’s dedicated to helping others, Katherine Myers has joined Burnette Shutt & McDaniel.

When Richmond, VA native Cassandra Edwards relocated to Columbia, SC over 16 years ago, she never imagined that she'd be retiring from her beloved career at just 40 years old. But her love for the industry has not ended, it has simply transformed.

Rev. Dr. Solomon Jackson, Jr. has donated $200,000 to Voorhees College to support student scholarships. The official check presentation was during halftime at the Voorhees homecoming men’s basketball game, November 13.

“A beginning is a very delicate time to make sure that all the balances are correct.”

South Carolina Community Loan Fund (SCCLF) has named Nate Barber to the position of Chief Executive Officer.

K & K Painting and More provides much more than just residential and commercial painting finishes. They are known for their quality of work, affordable project completion, integrity, and strong customer relationships.

WOW Productions & One7evenOne Productions has taken a leap from live plays to streaming. When faced with a shutdown of live productions due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the talented duo launched their latest production as a streaming video series on Youtube. Secrets in Plain Sight Limite…

Sai Williams and Eli Wright are the owners of The Toasty Hotspot LLC, a breakfast and brunch restaurant that opened in downtown Columbia at 1305 Lady Street. On November 22, they will celebrate six months in business.

The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) announced that Elise Gleaton from Lexington, SC, has been selected to become a member of the esteemed organization. The Society recognizes top scholars who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, scholarship, and community commitment. Th…

Last month, we launched our first Business Spotlight interview. We interviewed Natalie McKinnie, owner of the Natalie McKinnie Agency, which specializes in property insurance. You can watch the interview at www.CarolinaPanorama.com.

South Carolina Ports’ Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal has been named 2021 South Carolina Project of the Year by the South Carolina Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers. According to economic stats provided by Richland County Sen. John Scott, the terminal is projected to have an ann…

Auvanette Tolbert is the Founder and CEO of Shuzzz. Shuzzz is a ladies shoe boutique that came about when Ms. Tolbert was in prison. She was one of the inmates picking up trash on the side of the road and needed a pair of shoes because the ones she had were covered with holes.

Nexsen Pruet has awarded law school scholarships to two rising second-year minority law students who are planning careers in North and South Carolina. The 2021 Nexsen Pruet Diversity Scholars are Jada Wilson and Moses Washington.

The magical night took place at The Koger Center for the Arts in Columbia, South Carolina, on September 10, 2021. As the crowd waited with excitement to see Vanessa Williams perform with the Colour of Music Orchestra, they enthusiastically embraced the opening act, The Auntie Karen All-Star …

Monya Parker was born in Orangeburg and grew up in Columbia. She graduated from CA Johnson High School, University of South Carolina and a Masters from Strayer University. She recently released the first book of her trilogy entitled “Walking Through Divorce in Grace.”

Doris Eison-Harrison was elected as the 2021-2022 Woman of the Year for the Columbia Triad Chapter of the American Business Woman's Association.

Right before the COVID-19 pandemic, Clinical Therapist, Bethany Williams, founded The Elderberry Experience, also trademarked as The Original Home of Flavored Elderberry Syrup.

In today’s economy, the need for affordable housing has skyrocketed. That has fueled the need for specialists who can bridge the gap between people who need affordable housing and building owners seeking clients. One local expert filling this need is Evelyn Edwards, owner of Primary Property…

Joseph Outreach, the nonprofit arm of DESA, Inc., has received a grant from The Duke Energy Foundation to benefit returning citizens in South Carolina. The grant is one of 10 awarded to South Carolina organizations focused on building and enhancing strategic engineering initiatives that will…

The Carolina Panorama has launched a platform for the experts in their industries.  "This platform will allow business owners to showcase their knowledge and company.  Be the expert in their industry," Says Nathaniel Abraham, Jr.  Publisher.  

Dr. Linda Bell has the daunting challenge of spearheading South Carolina’s battle against COVID-19. As the Palmetto State’s epidemiologist with the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), Bell has been the face and the voice of the agency which is charged with promoting and pr…

The Hills Management Group (also known as HMG) has come back with some updates to better help the community with all their printing needs. In 2015, they were established as a full service, stand alone print shop. Now they have come out with some mobile printing sites to add to the business.

Dr. Macie Smith, a local expert on elder and senior issues, has launched a television show on the SaltboxTV platform.

Harlem’s Closet was established in 2017 by like-minded sneaker friends Kenneth Joyner, Tresban Rodgers and Andrew Davis. The shop held its grand opening on August 14, 2021 in downtown Columbia.

On Wednesday, August 11, 2021, Diane Sumpter, President and CEO of DESA, Inc., represented small and minority business owners on a virtual roundtable discussion with President Joe Biden. During the discussion, Sumpter said that it’s clear that vaccines are the path back to normal, and the sm…

On its twelfth anniversary, Myers Mortuary and Cremation Services announced the acquisition of the former Trezevant Funeral Home (5716 Koon Rd Columbia, SC 29203), a historic location documented as South Carolina’s first Black funeral home and crematorium. This expansion will allow the Myers…

New Soul Food Restaurant and Coffee Shop coming to Village at Sandhill

Claflin University has earned widespread respect and admiration for being among the nation’s HBCUs that according to President Dwaun J. Warmack, “not only survived but thrived” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’ll tell you what freedom is to me. No fear.” - Nina Simone. This quote is very dear to visual to this article’s featured youth entrepreneur, Najee Reese. Najee is a self-taught visual artist from Hopkins, South Carolina. This 22-year-old mother of one has been blessed to focus on her art …

Fourteen-year-old Gabrielle “Gabby” Goodwin, who co-founded a hair accessory company with her mother Rozalynn Goodwin, has secured a $200,000 investment from national television personalities Gayle King and Marcus Lemonis.  The announcement was made on a podcast episode of “One Hundred Perce…

I Won’t Starve Academy, a Midlands 501c3 nonprofit agency is gearing up for its one-year anniversary celebration. Sunday, July 25th, 2:00 pm, at the Eau Claire Print Building, I Won’t Starve Academy will celebrate one year with a Community Give Back and Food Drive for Harvest Hope Food Bank.…

BUSINESS OF THE WEEK

McDonald’s and Mayor Steve Benjamin kicked off the summer hiring season with an event highlighting McDonald’s and its independent franchisees’ commitment to hire thousands of people across South Carolina this summer.

“I was born in God’s heart and I will die in his arms” are the lines from the poem entitled “Peace” that this month’s Auntie Karen "Think Big Know Bigger" Success Story wrote when she was just four years old. Today, Acecily “Ace” Alexander is the owner of A.C.E Social Media, and founder of A…

Nothin’ But Wings, a family owned and operated contemporary restaurant in Columbia, began as an idea back in 2018 by its two owners, Kimberly Cannon and Tyrone White. On August 1, 2020, the restaurant opened in North Columbia.

Columbia residents can now capture the perfect selfie at Selfie Mania, Columbia’s first selfie museum. The 2,500 square foot venue held its grand opening on Saturday, June 5 at its Columbia Place Mall location (second floor directly across from Macy’s).

One of the Midlands most popular lunch buffets wants everyone to know that they are open for business.

Orangeburg native Zachary Middleton is featured in this week’s Authors Spotlight. Middleton has released his debut novel, Running After Delano.