Category: Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Justice for Cortland: Half-Mile March for Accountability and Action

Date: May 14, 2024
Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Location: Starting at On the Roxx, ending at Greenville City Hall

Greenville, [Greenville, SC] – On May 14, 2024, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm, supporters will gather for a half-mile march from On the Roxx to Greenville City Hall in solidarity with Summer Lee, mother of Cortland Whitaker, to demand justice for her son’s tragic and unjust death.
Cortland Whitaker, a beloved member of the community and the manager of his family’s restaurant and catering company, was celebrating his birthday with friends when he became the victim of a horrific hate crime. Two security officers, employed by On the Roxx, brutally attacked Cortland, resulting in a traumatic brain injury and a collapsed lung. Despite the severity of his injuries, Cortland did not receive the justice he deserved. The local police department failed to hold the perpetrators accountable, and Cortland tragically took his own life as a result of the trauma he endured.

Summer Lee, grieving the loss of her only son, refuses to let his memory fade away without seeking justice. The Half-Mile March for Justice aims to bring attention to Cortland’s case and demand accountability for those responsible for his untimely death.

“We refuse to remain silent in the face of injustice,” says Summer Lee. “Cortland was a bright light in our community, and his life was taken from us far too soon. We demand justice not only for Cortland but for all those who have been denied the justice they deserve.”

The march will begin promptly at 2:00pm, starting at On the Roxx and ending at Greenville City Hall. Participants are encouraged to wear complementary shirts, provided upon arrival, to show their support for the cause.

For more information and to join the call for justice, visit www.change.org and search “Justice for Cortland.”

Media Contact:
Summer Lee
Surviving Mother
803-319-0687/ summer@flyingbiscuitsc.com

About Justice for Cortland:
Justice for Cortland is a grassroots movement dedicated to seeking justice for Cortland Whitaker, who tragically lost his life due to a hate crime. Led by Cortland’s mother, Summer Lee, the movement aims to bring attention to Cortland’s case and demand accountability for those responsible for his death.

Thank you to everyone who attended our Connected by Community Podcast Reunion last night.

Connected by Community is brought to you by Ballentine Capital Advisors and is designed to connect our community with small businesses, non-profits, personal endeavors, and hobbies for the betterment of the community. We believe it is important for every person to have a sense of community, and we help explore all the things that make us who are, and what we are.

Since the start of our podcast in 2021, we have had 96 episodes and almost 500,000 impressions!

Thank you to all our podcast guests and community for all the support!

Engenius, a leader in web design, development, and digital marketing, is excited to announce an upcoming event that will tackle the challenges of scattered marketing audiences. Titled “Platform Overload: How to Connect with Your Audience,” this workshop is scheduled for May 16th, 2023, at 9:30 AM at the University Center Greenville.

As digital landscapes continue to evolve, marketers face the challenge of connecting with decentralized audiences across a myriad of platforms. Engenius’ workshop aims to empower marketers by providing strategic insights into how to effectively engage with their target audiences despite the clutter of today’s digital arena.

Chris Manley, the founder of Engenius and a seasoned marketing expert, will lead the workshop. His presentation will dive into strategies that marketers can use to discover and reach their scattered audiences, ensuring meaningful interactions in an increasingly fragmented digital world.

Event Details:
Title: Platform Overload: How to Connect with Your Audience
Date: May 16th, 2023
Time: 9:30 AM
Location: University Center Greenville, 225 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville, SC 29607

Attendees can look forward to a session filled with actionable advice and interactive discussions designed to enhance their marketing tactics. This event is a must-attend for marketing professionals eager to stay ahead in a rapidly changing digital environment.

For more information about the workshop and to register, please visit Engenius’ Event page (https://engeniusweb.com/2024-spring-classroom-series/). Spaces are limited.

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About Engenius
Engenius is a website and digital marketing agency serving businesses through design, strategy, optimization, service and support, and by driving traffic for websites. Based in Greenville, SC, Engenius has over fifteen years of experience working with hundreds of businesses and organizations to build, optimize, and support their websites. Served by a team of passionate professionals, Engenius’s clients routinely point to the company’s responsiveness, proactivity, genuine care, systems-based approach, and personable nature as the reasons they work with Engenius long-term. Learn more by visiting engeniusweb.com.

[Greenville, S.C.] – Greenville Connects is inviting the community to participate in a public survey to explore the current state of transportation in the region. Founded in 2019, Greenville Connects is a local coalition that believes having a variety of transit options can support economic development, quality of life, traffic easement and so much more. The goal of this survey is to understand the perception of transit in Greenville and help identify long-term solutions that improve transportation options for all community members.

Residents who live and work in this region are encouraged to participate by visiting GreenvilleSurvey.com. Survey questions will ask for insight into individual’s current transportation patterns, public transit opinions and preferences for future investment opportunities. The survey will close on May 31.

“Greenville’s future is directly linked to its ability to attract and retain the hardworking individuals who are essential to the growth and wellbeing of our communities,” said Erin Predmore, Executive Director of Greenville Connects. “We recognize that public transit plays a pivotal role in this equation, allowing for a more connected experience. Regardless of your preferred method of transportation, Greenville residents ride the roads together and by participating in this survey, you can help pave the path forward for future initiatives.”

For more information on Greenville Connects or to take the online survey, please visit GreenvilleConnects.org.

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Media Contact:
Caroline Benson
cbenson@bowstern.com
(954) 681-3171

Greenville Connects, a partnership of local businesses and nonprofits, the Greenville Chamber, and others, is a coalition seeking to increase investments in our transit system. Founded in 2019, we believe transit options support economic development and mobility, workforce development, equity, health, quality of life, traffic easement, and so much more.

The Upstate’s leader in homeowner association management services, and multi-family and apartment management solutions, NHE, honored its top team members last week during its latest company-wide conference.
Held at the Embassy Suites in Greenville and attended by more than 400 NHE employees, partners and vendors, the awards presentation capped a crowning event for the company. NHE provides professional association management, conventional and affordable apartment management, along with community development and service coordination to communities across the Southeast, including numerous properties spanning South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia.
“We are proud of the success and growth for our company, and more importantly our team members in the past year,” said Taylor Davis, NHE’s president and CEO. “Their dedication and commitment to excellence resonates clearly every day.”
Awards winners for the Affordable Housing Division were:
Team Impact Award –Victoria Burr
Customer Service Award — Adrienne Howell
GEM Award – Barbara Green-Grayson
Maintenance Person of the Year – Cody Slavich
Property of the Year – Jamison Village
Community Manager of the Year – Darla Wannamaker
Awards winners in the Conventional Housing Division were:
Team Impact Award — Diana Thomas
Customer Service Award — Michael Adriano
GEM Award –David Williamson
Maintenance Person of the Year – Winfred Smith and Josh Yelden
Property of the Year – Peachtree Village
Community Manager of the Year –Shirley Pennell
Awards winners in the Corporate Services Division were:
Team Impact Award — Kamaryn Brenneman
Customer Service Award — Brandi Prevatte
GEM Award—Alicia Abrahams
Awards winners in the HOA Division were
Team Impact Award — Allison Kirtz
Customer Service Award — Alissa Heater
GEM Award— Morgan Ferguson
Community Manager of the Year – Jennifer Shy
Awards winners in the Service Award Coordination Division were:
Team Impact Award –Tanesha Glenn
Customer Service Award — Lynette Melvin-Barmer
GEM Award—Jessie Wallen
Service Coordinator of the Year – Dericka Gunter
The final two awards were the NHE Golden Hammer Award, which was co-won by Mike Wilson and Brad Alexander for being the employees who consistently maintain the company’s assets, and NHE Harris Davis Award, honoring the employee that best embodies the mission of NHE, went to Maranda Keller.
About NHE:
NHE provides professional association management, apartment management, community development and service coordination to communities across the Southeast, and currently represents more than 18,000 homes, apartments and condominiums in 15 states. NHE’s clients benefit from expertise, experience and leading-edge technology delivered by a dedicated staff offering diverse services to ensure premium performance and value. Actively engaged with national and state industry trade associations and government regulatory bodies, NHE holds the prestigious AMO (Accredited Management Organization) designation through the Institute of Real Estate Management and is a multi-year honoree of Top Workplaces in South Carolina and Best Places to Work. Learn more at nhe-inc.com.

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GREENVILLE, S.C—As part of historic efforts to combat climate change, advance environmental justice, and build the clean energy economy, Sustaining Way is excited to announce its selection into the American Climate Corps, a landmark initiative launched by President Biden. Sustaining Way is one of two host organizations chosen in South Carolina, welcoming applications from individuals passionate about making our communities more resilient and equitable. Over 2,000 positions are now accepting applications nationwide.

The American Climate Corps draws inspiration from President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps and will mobilize Americans nationwide to engage in conservation, climate resilience, and clean energy projects. Sustaining Way’s sustainable agriculture and food security program is among the wide range of programs tackling climate change.

“Sustaining Way’s pioneering acceptance into the AmeriCorps Climate Corps, with its focused commitment to environmental justice, embodies a monumental stride in empowering communities and mobilizing forces for the transformative betterment of marginalized communities,” said Sustaining Way Executive Director Michael Brown. “Our involvement signals a beacon of light and action for a sustainable future where every individual has a role in crafting a healthier, equitable planet.”

The American Climate Corps offers members:
• Diverse Opportunities: The focused work areas will help transform our communities through innovative approaches to urban agriculture and energy mitigation programming. Another focus includes implementing renewable energy technology, including agrivoltaics, solar-powered community resiliency centers, and community-controlled food systems for enhanced community health revitalization.

The specific positions envisioned include community agricultural coordinators, environmental justice community advocates, energy security coordinators, urban agroforestry coordinators, and other site-specific coordinator positions developed for the communities Sustaining Way champions.

• Skill Development: Joining Sustaining Way contributes to vital environmental work and equips participants with valuable skills for future careers in the clean energy and climate-resilience workforce.

• National Network: Participants will become part of a nationwide effort, collaborating with federal agencies, labor unions, nonprofits and the private sector to address urgent environmental challenges and work towards a sustainable future.

Interested individuals are encouraged to visit ClimateCorps.gov to learn more about Sustaining Way’s American Climate Corps focus areas and application details.

About Sustaining Way
Envisioning a world where all neighborhoods, people and nature thrive, Sustaining Way uses education, collaboration and advocacy to create sustainable, caring and equitable communities for current and future generations.

Sustaining Way, a 501(c)3 formed in January 2012, is an interfaith non-profit that uses a unique community-based approach to sustainability through our demonstration site, Annie’s House, just off the Swamp Rabbit Trail in the historic Nicholtown community of Greenville, SC.

About American Climate Corps
The American Climate Corps is a historic initiative launched by President Biden to mobilize a new, diverse generation to tackle the climate crisis and advance environmental justice. Through 4 collective actions, hands-on projects, mentorship, and training, the ACC empowers individuals to drive impactful change across communities nationwide while giving ACC members a career pathway to clean energy and climate resilience careers in the private and public sectors. For more information about how to make your mark as part of the American Climate Corps, visit ClimateCorps.gov.

GREENVILLE, S.C. – More than 100 people gathered Tuesday for the launch of Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County’s latest program to create more effective avenues to affordable homeownership, with a focus on increasing the number of Black homeowners in the region.
Project Built in Greenville (B.I.G.) aims to bring together all kinds of minority-owned and minority-led businesses with an emphasis on the construction, home-building and banking industries, said Joe Fields, Vice President of Equity for Habitat. The program is being created in partnership with Bank of America.
“Bank of America is honored to invest in Project B.I.G. as part of our longstanding partnership with Habitat Greenville,” said Stacy Brandon, president, Bank of America Upstate South Carolina. “We remain committed to helping advance homeownership for communities of color, as we recognize the ability to purchase a home is foundational to economic prosperity and the building of generational wealth.”
Project B.I.G. is part of Habitat Greenville’s Advancing Black Homeownership Project, which launched last Fall to help develop a racial-equity lending strategy and property acquisition program across the region.
Habitat Greenville will hold series of networking events and classes as well as provide resources to black owned, minority owned, and locally owned contractors, developers, and other businesses who provide services towards the growth of Greenville as part of Project B.I.G. over the next few months.
“This is an important step in helping to solve the lack of Black homeownership in Greenville,” said Monroe Free, Habitat Greenville’s CEO. “This effort is about strengthening Greenville’s communities and its people.”
About Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County:
Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County opened its doors in 1985 to bring families, community partners, and volunteers together to construct affordable, energy-efficient homes that help families build strength, stability, and self-reliance. As of April 2024, Habitat Greenville has completed the construction of 410 homes. Habitat Greenville ReStores are located at 3033 Wade Hampton Boulevard in Taylors and 1818 Woodruff Road in Greenville. Call 864-312-5016 for free donation pickups. Learn more at www.habitatgreenville.org.