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.

On April 30, 2021, Allison Waymyers became the youngest recipient of the Jo-Nathan Foundation Humanitarian of the Year Award. She was honored at the "Music in the Vineyard" Charity event at Three Star Vineyard in Edgefield, SC.

This month’s Auntie Karen "Think Big Know Bigger" Success Story features Dominique Hodge, aka Jakeem Da Dream; Da Dream Designs, owner.

“Walking by faith” means that you are embarking upon a journey. Even though you may not know your final destination, you have put your trust in the Lord to guide your steps.

Dentists Chermaine Lyde and Me’Chell James held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Ivy Creek Family Dentistry on Tuesday, April 20.

One of the Midlands coolest businesses is opening a new location.

American Rescue Plan – Small Business Input Requested by the City of Columbia  Small business community, how is COVID-19 impacting your business? The City of Columbia understands that our business community continues to be significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and our local leaders…

On January 14, 2021, Dr. Sheila Belton-Gaymon and Dr. Sandra Randolph declared Ivy Health Solutions, LLC open for business. Ivy Health Solutions, LLC is a nurse practitioner-owned and operated primary care clinic located in the medical office building at 4100 North Main Street in Columbia, SC.

Transportation has come a long way in the last decade. Rideshare programs such as Uber and Lyft have been on the rise. People who don’t have cars or just want to get to and from their destination use these companies to navigate through the cities and even travel outside of their towns. The n…

Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union has awarded Allen University $100,000 to support the renovation of the Good Samaritan-Waverly Hospital Restoration Project.

This month’s Auntie Karen "Think Big Know Bigger" Success Story features jewelry makers Nia Diggs Kai & Sprig's Creations.

Ronnie Timmons is a father, husband, and business owner. He is also the epitome of what it means to defeat the odds that are meant to destroy a person. Since 2008, Mr. Timmons has faced and overcome trials of many kinds, with the first being with his business, Ronnie’s Ribs.

The Reedy Fork Baptist Church seeks to collaborate with community churches, our Healthcare Systems, the Center for Disease Control, and other entities to reach the vulnerable, the underserved and those disproportionately affected by the virus in the south Greenville communities.

Talented people need a place to perform and show off their talent. On a national level, shows such as American Idol, The Voice and Showtime at the Apollo provide a platform for rising talent.

American Business Women’s Association (ABWA), Women Connecting Women Chapter of Newberry County salutes member, Honorable Jackie Holmes. ABWA’s mission is to provide leadership, education, networking opportunities and recognition to members on a local and national level.

LaDon Mathews has been in the event planning business for 14 years. His career began with planning events for family and friends and eventually drew the attention of people in the community. Mathews realized the potential of his event planning services and decided to turn his talents into a …

The Claflin University Center for Social Justice, in partnership with Claflin University’s First Lady LaKisha Warmack, the Freshman College, SC Humanities Council, and the South Carolina Arts Commission, will host “Social Justice Author Series – A Morning with Dr. Danielle Allen” on Tuesday,…

Clinton College has announced the hiring of alumnus Dee Frazier as the college's next athletic director and head men's basketball coach. Frazier comes to Clinton College from Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, where he served as the assistant coach of the men's basketball team.

This time last year, the unpredictable nature of COVID-19 forced us to cancel our Founders' Day events, including the highly-anticipated Sneaker Ball. While Clinton College as a campus community continues to practice social distancing, we want to safely and virtually come together with our C…

During Black History Month, it is very important to shine a light on the businesses that are prominent in the Black community. Barbershops have been a staple in the black community for many years, and SportsTalk Barbershop has followed the trend.