Greater Columbia Community Relations Council

The 2026 Midlands Gives Fundraising Campaign is underway, and the official day of giving is Tuesday, May 5, 2026. The event is sponsored by the Central Carolina Community Foundation, and the CRC is once again participating as a charity.

The event is an overall fundraising effort for area nonprofits to promote their missions of service and solicit the funding needed for their organizations. The event day lasts for approximately 18 hours and will conclude at 11:59 on Tuesday, May 5th. The link is currently open and active, so those individuals who wish to make their contributions early can do so.

Access more details on the campaign by going directly to their website, located at https://www.midlandsgives.org/

Graduating seniors in the Midlands, this is your reminder: the Mitchell M. Willoughby Community Scholarship Fund application deadline is May 1.

If you are a public high school senior in Richland, Lexington, Fairfield, Kershaw, or Newberry County and planning to attend a two-year or four-year college or university, be sure to submit your application before the deadline. Don’t miss this opportunity for scholarship support toward your future.

CRC Board Members (L-R) Tyler Bailey, Anthony Stovall, Mitch Willoughby, Sheila Harris, Dr. Teresa Holmes, and Shandelle Simmons pause to recognize donations made to the CRC scholarship fund by M. Willoughby and A.
Stovall to help gifted high school seniors with college expenses.

The Mitchell M. Willoughby Community Scholarship helps deserving Midlands students take the next step toward higher education and a brighter future.

Applications are due Friday, May 1, 2026. Learn more and apply at https://greatercolacrc.org/mitchell-m-willoughby-community-scholarship-fund/.

Join the Greater Columbia Community Relations Council’s Faith-Based Initiative Committee for an upcoming Interfaith Planning Meeting bringing together faith leaders and organizations from across the Midlands. This collaborative gathering is an opportunity to share ideas, strengthen partnerships, and plan initiatives that uplift and support our community.

🗓 March 12, 2026
⏰ 12:00 PM
📍 930 Richland Street, Columbia, SC

All representatives from faith organizations in the Midlands are welcome to attend.

📞 803-733-1134
📧 [email protected]

Register by March 10, 2026.

The CRC recently participated in the Stop the Gun Violence Remembrance Walk and Rally to honor Kwame Jones, a victim of violence from Eastover, SC, and inspire others to be active in preventing crime. Dr. Larry Salley served as a guest speaker to a large group composed of family, friends, and community members who recently assembled in Eastover, SC, to walk in support of the Stop the Violence Movement. Community leaders and officers from the Richland County Sheriff's Department were on hand and participated in the event. The CRC has been active for several years, primarily through its Faith-Based (FBI) Committee and program to curb the violence among youth and young adults.

Richland

✨ Ready to lead, learn, and make an impact?

The Emerging Leaders Social Justice Academy is a six-month leadership experience designed for young adults ages 18–24 who want to strengthen their advocacy skills and create real change in the community.

✅ Leadership & civic engagement
✅ Workshops + guest speakers
✅ Teamwork + communication
✅ Certificate of Completion

📲 For more information visit: https://greatercolacrc.org/programs/emerging-leaders-social-justice-academy/

Calling all faith leaders and community partners!

Join the Greater Columbia Community Relations Council (CRC) Faith-Based Initiative Committee for an Interfaith Planning Meeting as we come together to strengthen collaboration across the Midlands.

🗓️ Thursday, January 22, 2026
🕧 12:30 PM (Lunch will be served)
📍 930 Richland Street, Columbia, SC
✅ Register by January 20, 2026
📞 803-733-1134 | ✉️ [email protected]
🌐 www.greatercolacrc.org

Happy Holidays from the Greater Columbia Community Relations Council!

May this season bring peace, joy, and continued commitment to advocacy, mediation, and education throughout our community.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Housing Information Workshop on October 29! Community members, partners, and leaders came together for an evening of conversation about housing resources, rights, and opportunities in Greater Columbia.

Swipe through for photo highlights from the event, and stay tuned for future workshops hosted by the Greater Columbia Community Relations Council.