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The YoPro Know updates its website to better serve clients

GREENVILLE, S.C. —The YoPro Know has updated its website to continue to serve its clients and potential clients in the best and most efficient ways possible.
These new and improved changes include:
Creating an updated services page to better guide potential clients through the resources offered by The YoPro Know.
A refreshed resources page, showcasing all that is available to the public for free to help them get started on their YoPro Know journey.
Added its latest digital download, The YoPro Know in Action, a free report illustrating the return on investment many of the company’s clients have received with its services.
Find these updates and learn more about The YoPro Know at: www.yoproknow.com.
The YoPro Know is an innovative consulting group changing how businesses engage with young professionals. It draws on its exclusive content and knowledge base to help business leaders better attract young professionals using digital branding and culture.
“I’m proud of all of the work our team has accomplished recently, and our new digital download especially is proof of that hard work,” said Kamber Parker Bowden, founder of The YoPro Know. “If you don’t believe that learning how to work with young professionals is essential for your business, don’t just take it from us. Take it from all of our clients’ success stories.”

About The YoPro Know:

The YoPro Know’s mission is to help businesses develop the future leaders of our workforce through research, education, and recruiting and retention consulting. Based in Greenville, S.C. with a national community, The YoPro Know promotes success in the workplace by being a bridge between ambitious young professionals and progressive businesses who want to recruit, engage, and retain them. Learn more at www.yoproknow.com.

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The Urban League of the Upstate Helps Launch First Statewide 48-Hour Film Project in South Carolina

Greenville, S.C. – April 22, 2024 – In an ongoing initiative to work with local talent and energize the film industry in the Upstate region, The Urban League of the Upstate (ULUS) is proud to announce South Carolina’s first-ever statewide 48-Hour Film Project. This event is scheduled to take place May 3 through May 5, 2024, at the George Dean Johnson College of Business & Economics at USC Upstate in Spartanburg.

This endeavor builds on the partnership established in spring 2023 between The Cargo Agency and ULUS, alongside the Minority Film Institute, the SC Film Commission, and the National Urban League. Their joint task force aims to cultivate workforce development in the entertainment industry and attract more productions to the Upstate. This partnership also encompasses a series of education programs and an annual symposium featuring film screenings and panels with industry professionals.

Event Details:

Kickoff: Friday, May 3, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., Chapman Cultural Center, 200 East St. John St. Spartanburg, SC 29306

Film Drop Off: Sunday, May 5, 2024, by 7:30 p.m. online www.48hourfilm.com

Screenings: Sunday, May 19, 2024, at 12:00 p.m.

Awards: Sunday, May 19, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.

Participants will have just 48 hours to write, shoot, and edit a short film based on a randomly assigned genre, character, prop, and dialogue line. This creative marathon challenges teams and promotes camaraderie and networking within the film community. This event is open to filmmakers of all skill levels. The winner of the Best Film will advance to compete at Filmapalooza in March 2025 and have a chance to be showcased in the Cannes Film Festival’s Short Film Corner. There will also be a post-content event at BridgeWay Station in June (date forthcoming) funded by Hughes Investments’ ELEVATE UPSTATE Grants Initiative administered by Ten at the Top.

“We are so delighted to support this industry in our state and the growth it is offering to expand economic opportunities for our community,” said Gail Wilson Awan, President and CEO of the Urban League of the Upstate and City Producer for the 48-Hour Film Project. “I cannot wait to see the submissions and impact the event will have on spurring interest in the film industry.”

For more information, to register a team, or to join the online community, visit https://48hourfilm.com/southcarolina/48hfp/2024 or connect with us through our social media platforms @the48hourprojectsouthcarolina.

About The Urban League of the Upstate
The mission of the ULUS is to advance equity by empowering the Black community and underserved individuals throughout the region. The National Urban League is laser-focused on Health Equity as a key initiative, supporting local efforts through funding, advocacy, and programming. To learn more, visit urbanleagueupstate.org.

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Carolina Handling named a 2024 Raymond Dealer of Distinction

For the 33rd year in a row, Carolina Handling has been named a Dealer of Distinction (DOD) by The Raymond Corporation, a global provider of best-in-class material handling equipment and intelligent intralogistics solutions.

The DOD award is given annually to the top performers among Raymond Solutions and Support Centers throughout North America. Carolina Handling, the exclusive Raymond Solutions and Support Center for the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama and Florida’s Central time zone territory, is among only seven Raymond dealers to receive the designation for 2024.

Being named a Dealer of Distinction is based on points scored in categories covering virtually all areas of the business including sales, service, parts, rentals, leasing, power and intralogistics solutions. The award signifies strength in the marketplace and operational excellence that drives growth and continuous improvement.

“Carolina Handling’s DOD performance year after year is an endorsement of the elite level of service and support that we provide our customers,” said Carolina Handling President & CEO Brent Hillabrand. “The top scores consistently received in so many different areas of the business are a testament to our associates and the teamwork that allows us to achieve a high level of success, even as the material handling industry continues to evolve.”

A continuing U.S. labor shortage and customer demands to meet an ever-growing consumer thirst for online shopping have spurred exponential growth in the warehousing and distribution segment, with an emphasis on new technology and automation to move products faster and more efficiently.

As the material handling industry evolves, Carolina Handling continues its evolution from a forklift-only provider to an end-to-end intralogistics solutions company offering a broad range of consulting, connected technologies, material handling equipment and service to support the growing and changing needs of the industry.

A leading material handling equipment supplier in the Southeast, Carolina Handling this past January received the 2024 Most Valuable Partner (MVP) Award from the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA), a recognition achieved by fewer than 10 percent of MHEDA’s 600 members.

ABOUT CAROLINA HANDLING

Founded in 1966, Carolina Handling is one of the Southeast’s leading integrated material handling solutions providers and the exclusive Raymond Solutions and Support Center for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida’s Central time zone. The company provides lift trucks and automation solutions for manufacturers, warehouses and distribution centers, along with parts and a full range of warehouse equipment.

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Carolina Handling operates branch offices in Atlanta, Georgia, Birmingham, Alabama, Greensboro, North Carolina, Raleigh, North Carolina and Greenville, South Carolina, and an Equipment Distribution Center in Piedmont, South Carolina. The company has more than 790 associates. For more information, visit carolinahandling.com.

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The YoPro Know adds Barkley Owens as Account Manager

GREENVILLE, S.C. — The YoPro Know has added Barkley Owens as its newest Account Manager.

A Knoxville, Tennessee resident, Owens earned a bachelor’s degree from Freed Hardeman University and a master’s degree in English from Northwestern State University of Louisiana where she earned the Graduate Student Award for Excellence. After working as a teacher for several years, she was a PhD student and graduate assistant at the University of Louisiana Lafayette.

In 2022, she joined TEGNA, which operates television stations in more than 50 media markets, as an account manager and was promoted during her first 18 months.

“We’re thrilled to be adding Barkley to the team,” said Kamber Parker Bowden, founder of The YoPro Know. “Her creativity, efficiency, and client-focused approach has already made a difference for our clients in a few short weeks, and we are looking forward to her continued growth and contributions to our team.”

About The YoPro Know:

The YoPro Know’s mission is to maximize young professionals’ careers by preparing them today to be the business leaders of tomorrow. Based in Greenville (SC) with a national community, The YoPro Know promotes your success in the workplace by being a bridge between ambitious young professionals and progressive businesses who want to recruit, engage, and retain them. Visit www.yoproknow.com to learn more.

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Habitat Greenville’s honors top supporters

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County honored its top volunteers and donors Tuesday morning.

The Appreciation Breakfast is an annual event where Habitat celebrates its donors and volunteers who have supported the organization in the previous year.

The Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to an individual or to two individuals who have lent us their time, energy, and talents. Most importantly, their hearts and spirit of volunteerism have been an inspiration over the past year(s). This is a devoted volunteer whose contributions to Habitat will have a lasting impact on our mission.

The Battered Hammer Award is presented to an individual who represents the great determination and dedication essential to build homes for families in need. This volunteer exemplifies traits found in both the Volunteer of the Year recipient(s) and the recipient(s) of the Spirit Award.

The Strong Foundation Award is presented to an individual or individuals who have demonstrated a willingness to volunteer and give their time and talents to help Habitat Greenville build its foundation and internal organization in order to better serve families in Greenville.

Awardees were:

· Volunteer of the Year- Karen Gagne

· Battered Hammer- Cathy Baus

· Strong Foundation- McGee Brothers

· Lifetime Achievement- Steve Worrell

· Corporate Donor of the Year- Creative Builders and Fitch Irick

· Organizational Donor of the Year- Complete PR, John Boyanoski

· Individual Donor of the Year- Marshall Barron

· Rookie of the Year- Christy Brochowski

“This group of people really represent all of our amazing volunteers and partners who come together every day to make affordable homeownership a reality in Greenville,” said Monroe Free, President and CEO of Habitat Greenville.

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, and 1818 Woodruff Road. Call 864-312-5016 for free donation pickups.

Learn more at www.habitatgreenville.org.

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Local author and life coach Karin Freeland wins First Place award in The BookFest contest for new book

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Award-winning author Karin Freeland’s latest book, Grab Life by the Dreams, recently won First Place in the Non-Fiction, Self-Help > Motivation category in The BookFest Spring 2024 contest.
Grab Life by the Dreams: The Essential Guide to Getting Unstuck and Living Your Purpose is Freeland’s sophomore book, designed to help readers get unstuck, discover their true purpose, and create an actionable plan to achieve it.
The book is available here. The audiobook version is also available on Audible, which is narrated by Freeland herself, as well as the Official Companion Workbook & Reflection Journal, the perfect tool to implement everything readers learn in the book.
Dedicated to empowering women to reinvent their careers and achieve unprecedented levels of success, Freeland is a recovered corporate workaholic with a passion for guiding women toward realizing their aspirations. She employs her innovative coaching programs and proprietary EDIT™ Methodology to equip them with the tools and strategies to overcome obstacles, live their purpose, and create a balanced, fulfilling career.
She now runs Karin Freeland Coaching & Consulting and is the host of the Rock Your Reinvention Podcast. In addition to her coaching and speaking engagements, she shares her wisdom and expertise with a broader audience through her regular Monthly Mindset segment on the local news station, providing tips and actionable strategies for personal growth and success.
“This award is such an honor to receive because I set out to create a book that would motivate readers to believe in themselves,” said Freeland. “It really is possible to change your life, and anyone wanting to grab their life by the dreams should check out my book.”
About Karin Freeland:
Karin Freeland is a certified Life Reinvention Coach focused on helping women transform their lives and achieve their dreams by using the lessons she learned in her 15 years in the corporate sector. She is an award-winning author, and was recognized by Entrepreneurs Herald as one of the Top 20 Life Coaches To Look Out For In 2021. She was named a Woman of Influence by the SC Biz Journals in 2024. Learn more about her and her company Karin Freeland Coaching & Consulting, LLC at www.karinfreeland.com

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Greenville Chamber Receives $40,000 from Power:ED to Support TalentRiseGVL

Power:Ed, the philanthropy of SC Student Loan Corporation, awarded the Greenville Chamber Foundation a $40,000 grant in support of TalentRiseGVL, the Greenville Chamber’s program that increases education attainment for Greenville County’s working-age adults by assisting their efforts to earn a certification, credential or degree.

The Greenville Chamber has spearheaded an effort to ensure that 60% of Greenville County adults aged 25-64 have a high-quality, post-secondary certificate, credential, or degree tied to meaningful employment and economic mobility. Under the banner TalentRiseGVL, this work officially launched in 2023. TalentRiseGVL serves and assists adults in navigating barriers to education and career transitions by helping them understand their post-secondary options and developing a plan to obtain a certification, credential or degree.

Greenville County currently sits at 50.6% of adults with an associate degree or higher. Power:Ed’s funding will support TalentRiseGVL in executing strategies to connect employers, incumbent workers and other adults seeking educational opportunities.

“Power:Ed is proud to support Greenville Chamber’s TalentRiseGVL program for its second year! Boosting educational attainment for workers is critical to boosting their economic mobility and expanding their career opportunities,” said Power:Ed Executive Director Claire Gibbons.

“The work that Power:Ed is funding will have a transformative and lasting impact on lives across our region,” said Cheryl Garrison, Greenville Chamber Foundation Executive Director. “Equipping individuals with the skills needed to succeed in our increasingly global economy will further strengthen our workforce and bolster our local economy.”

In FY2023-24 Power:Ed will award $1,000,000 in grants to South Carolina education and career readiness nonprofit organizations. In its fiscal third quarter, Power:Ed has awarded five grants, including this grant to the Greenville Chamber. Grants are administered quarterly, and the next grant funding deadline is July 1, 2024.

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Carolina Handling names Joe Perkins Chief Operating Officer

Carolina Handling, one of the Southeast’s leading integrated material handling solutions providers, has named Joe Perkins its Chief Operating Officer.

Perkins has served as executive vice president of operations at Carolina Handling since April 1, 2020. He joined the company in 2012 as a sales representative, moving up to sales manager, corporate warehouse solutions manager, director of warehouse products and solutions, and vice president of operations before being named to the executive team. Under his leadership, Carolina Handling received the 2021 award for Best Service Performance among all dealers in The Raymond Corporation network.

“Joe has shown incredible leadership as a member of our executive team, working tirelessly to not only elevate our organization in the material handling space but also to help individual associates develop and realize their career goals,” said Carolina Handling President & CEO Brent Hillabrand. “I’m delighted to announce his well-deserved promotion to Chief Operating Officer.”

As COO, Perkins is responsible for the company’s service, power management, continuous improvement, distribution, rentals, parts and quality assurance teams. He also will oversee the Intralogistics Solutions Group as Carolina Handling continues its evolution from a forklift-only provider to an end-to-end intralogistics solutions company offering a broad range of consulting, connected technologies, material handling equipment and service to support the growing and changing needs of the material handling industry.

“This is an exciting time to be in material handling and I look forward to helping Carolina Handling continue to strengthen its brand as an experienced and reliable integrated solutions provider and employer of choice,” Perkins said. “Our goal is to be a problem solver for our customers, helping them accomplish their goals in the most effective manner.”

A native of Goldsboro, North Carolina, Perkins is a graduate of the University of Mt. Olive in Mt. Olive, North Carolina. He resides in Denver, North Carolina, with his wife and three children.

ABOUT CAROLINA HANDLING

Founded in 1966, Carolina Handling is one of the Southeast’s leading integrated material handling solutions providers and the exclusive Raymond Solutions and Support Center for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida’s Central time zone. The company provides lift trucks and automation solutions for manufacturers, warehouses and distribution centers, along with parts, racking, storage, lighting and dock and door equipment.

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Carolina Handling operates branch offices in Atlanta, Georgia, Birmingham, Alabama, Greensboro, North Carolina, Raleigh, North Carolina and Greenville, South Carolina, and an Equipment Distribution Center in Piedmont, South Carolina. The company has more than 790 associates. For more information, visit carolinahandling.com.

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Facing History and Ourselves organization joins Greenville Jewish Federation for upcoming program

GREENVILLE, S.C. – To combat the alarming rise in antisemitism globally, members of the organization Facing History and Ourselves will speak at an upcoming Greenville Jewish Federation program.

On Thursday, April 18th, speakers Aimee Ballans and Erika Hamel of Facing History and Ourselves will educate the Upstate on the ways their organization is working to fight hate in the 21st century. They will also speak on a new community project designed to expand the program’s reach to educators in the Southeast

The program starts at 9 a.m. and is planned to run approximately an hour, followed by 30 minutes for questions. Registration is required for this limited-seating event. Once attendees have registered, the location and related materials will be shared for the event.

“We hope holding this program sends a clear message that antisemitism and hate have no place in our community and we are working to fight hate through partnerships,” said Courtney Tessler, CEO of the Greenville Jewish Federation. “We are excited to learn about the very important work Aimee and Erika are doing with Facing History and Ourselves.”

Register for tickets at https://greenvillejewishfederation.ticketspice.com/facing-history-combating-antisemitism

Facing History is an industry-leading organization with experienced staff that can serve as a voice of authority on some of today’s most pressing issues and the ways they impact teachers, students, schools, and communities across the United States. Its classroom resources and professional development offerings examine racism, antisemitism, and prejudice at pivotal moments in history and in our world today.

About the Greenville Jewish Federation:

The Greenville Jewish Federation is a dynamic organization dedicated to serving and strengthening the Jewish community in Greenville and neighboring counties. With a rich philanthropy and community-building history, the Federation works tirelessly to support educational programs, social services, cultural events, and advocacy efforts that promote Jewish values, heritage, and unity. To learn more about the Greenville Jewish Federation’s initiatives and upcoming programs, visit www.jewishgreenville.org.

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New program coming from Habitat Greenville

GREENVILLE, S.C. – As part of its ongoing efforts to create more effective avenues to affordable homeownership, Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County is launching a new project at the end of this month with a community event.

Project Built in Greenville (B.I.G.) is an effort 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 Field, Vice President of Equity. The kickoff networking event will be held at on Tuesday, April 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The UpCountry History Museum, 540 S. Buncombe Street, Greenville. The event is being done in partnership with Bank of America.

“This networking event is designed to create a platform for minority and local businesses to collaborate, interact, and build relationships for personal, professional, and business purposes,” Fields said. “We are inviting established non-minority business owners, city procurement officers, and other entities to attend, but this is open to the entire community.”

People interested in attending can register here.

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.

“Across the country, Black families are less likely to own their own homes than white families, said Monroe Free, President and CEO of Habitat Greenville. “Habitat Greenville is committed to closing that gap while always with a focus on creating opportunity for all.”

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.