Midlands Palmetto Pulse, August

SPOTLIGHT

Over 200 Leaders Gather for Goodwill's 2026 Champions of Change Luncheon

At Bleckley Station in Anderson on May 7, a crowd of over 220 advocates and local dignitaries gathered for the Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina Champions of Change Luncheon & Awards Ceremony. The 2026 Champions of Change are: 

• Kimberly Westmoreland: Lloyd Auten Achiever of the Year Award

• William Godfrey: Bill Hummers Mission Impact Award

• Markus Parker: William Wylie Career and Training Center Success Award

• Adecco USA: Cecil McFarland Employer Partner Award

• SC Department of Corrections: LaCrystal Jackson Community Partner Award

• Michele Brinn: Tony Bell Champion Award

Three Midlands Nonprofits Receive Funding Through Anchor Investment Management’s New Community Giving Initiative

As Anchor Investment Management, LLC celebrates 25 years, the Columbia-based wealth management firm is investing in the health, education, and well-being of communities across the Midlands. Through its inaugural Anchor Impact Fund grant cycle, the team at Anchor awarded a total of $12,000 during Cycle 1 to EmmanuWheel, Camp Discovery, and Reading is Power. Applications for Grant Cycle 2 opened July 1 and will close Sept. 1, 2026. The cycle will focus on organizations serving families and communities, with funded projects beginning Jan. 1, 2027.

SCRA Announces New Grant Funding, Academic Funding, and Member Companies

Volare Boats ($50k), CuffWay ($25k), SusMaTech ($25k), Memberworks ($25k), and PSF R&D Labs ($25k) received new grant funding from the South Carolina Research Authority. Clemson University ($75k) received new academic grant funding. LivIQ Health, Land Takeoffs, Oral Pouch Solutions, and Petra Loan Servicing were accepted as SCRA member companies. All SCRA member companies receive coaching and access to SCRA’s member benefits and startup resources, can apply for grant funding, and have the potential to be considered for investment from SC Launch Inc.

EF (Education First) Partners with the Anne Frank House to Preserve the Life and Legacy of Anne Frank

 EF (Education First), a global provider of culturally immersive education, has announced a landmark collaboration with the Anne Frank House (Amsterdam) and the Anne Frank Center at the University of South Carolina. Through this partnership, EF and its student travel business, EF Educational Tours, join the Anne Frank House and the Anne Frank Center in a shared commitment to preserving the life and legacy of Anne Frank and raising awareness about the critical importance of combatting antisemitism and other forms of group hatred around the world.

University of South Carolina School of Medicine Named in Honor of Floyd Family

The University of South Carolina School of Medicine is now named in honor of the late trustee and surgeon Dr. Edward “Eddie” Floyd and his wife, Kay Floyd. Now the University of South Carolina Kay and C. Edward Floyd, M.D. School of Medicine, the naming celebrates the Floyds’ decades-long service and philanthropic support of USC, which totals $30 million. Their giving will fund scholarships for medical students and endowed faculty positions including surgery, neurosurgery, neurology, sports medicine, and basic science.

South Carolina ETV and Public Radio Programs Win Five Telly Awards

Five South Carolina ETV and Public Radio programs have been honored with Telly Awards: The documentary SC On Display: The Murals of Rock Hill earned Silver in General-Culture & Lifestyle; Kitchen Curious with Vivian Howard received Silver in the General-Motivational & Inspiring category for the episode “Beans & Rice.” The series Fork & Hammer won Silver in Series-Food & Beverage; Behind the Scenes — A Books By The River Documentary earned Bronze in General-Student; and Books By The River season 1 received Bronze in Series-Interview and Talk Show.