Mark your calendars! The 2nd annual South Carolina Native Art Market and Gathering returns in two weeks on Saturday, August 16. During Soda City Market (9am–1pm), head to Boyd Plaza to enjoy Native artists of various mediums sharing their talents, traditions, and stories.

Shop the pop-up market featuring woodworking, jewelry, pottery, indigenous food, and more. Learn from Indigenous artists and community leaders through live demonstrations including performances from the Warpaint Singers, Natchez Nation Singers, and Catawba Nation's Women of the River Drum Group. 

FREE to attend! More info at the  Image removed. https://www.columbiamuseum.org/.../south-carolina-native...

This program is held in collaboration with the SC Commission of Minority Affairs.

 

 

11th Annual Women's Empowerment 2025

August 16, 2025

9AM - 4PM

The biggest celebration of women in SC. A day of engaging panels, live entertainment, shopping and more! Don’t miss OBO’s panel on the main stage and make sure you visit our booth for small business resources!

                      KickBack Tickets | Women's Empowerment of South Carolina 2025     

 

          How to Prepare Your Business for Funding Opportunities

Securing funding requires more than passion and potential—it demands preparation. In this practical and eye-opening session, Donna Davis, Certified AI and Business Consultant, will guide you through the foundational steps every small business should take before applying for grants, loans, or pitching to investors. You'll learn what funders expect, how to position your business for credibility, and what common mistakes to avoid. Whether you're just getting started or looking to grow, this session will help you present your business in a way that funders can say “yes” to.

 What Will I Learn?

  • The essential components funders look for before approving business funding
  • How to strengthen your business credibility and professional presentation
  • Common red flags that cause funders to pass—and how to avoid them

Presenter:

Donna Davis, CEO, D.W. Davis Consulting

Instructions: 

This is a Zoom online event. Reserve your seat for this FREE training event hosted by the ColumbiaArea SBDC.

Registration will close on Wednesday, 8/13/2025, at 5:00 PM.  The Zoom Link will be emailed after the registration closes.

The suggested device for this online event is a desktop, laptop, or tablet.   

How to Prepare Your Business for Funding Opportunities

 

This month we welcome Francis Marion University Associate Professor of Anthropology Dr. Kiley Molinari as she presents the August Lunch and Learn, "Close Looking and the Importance of Community Connections with Collections."

Join us in person, or join via Zoom by registering at https://bit.ly/4dvdaQ4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This special reception for the “By Way of Water” exhibit celebrates the incredible contemporary and traditional works by Catawba artists Aaron Baumgardner, Teresa Dunlap, DeLesslin George-Warren, and Alex Osborn. 

Join us on Thursday, Aug. 28 from 5:30-7pm!