6AM City In-house

Meet Columbia’s 2023 ambassadors 🌟

Meet Columbia’s 2023 Ambassadors
John and Mattison Columbia Ambassadors
John Sherrer (left) and Mattison Heatherly (right) are 2023 ambassadors for Experience Columbia, SC. | Photos courtesy of Lucas Brown
Experience Columbia SC released the list of its 2023 Columbia Ambassadors — a.k.a. the local insiders picked to represent our city — along with the 2023 Insiders Guide featuring the best of what the Soda City has to offer.

Backstory: Now in its fifth year, the ambassador program aims to expand the reach + impact of Cola’s regional marketing efforts by telling stories through the eyes of Soda Citizens who champion our city. Each ambassador helps create content for Experience Columbia SC in their areas of expertise (history, music, dining, etc.).

This year’s group joins the 16 “alumni” ambassadors.

Drumroll, please. 🥁

Meet your Columbia SC Ambassadors for 2023:

Mattison Heatherly | Founder of City Social Co — Social Media and Public Relations Agency

If you’re looking for Soda City dining inspo, look no further than Mattison’s Instagram. From Alodias Cucina Italiana in Lexington to Home Team BBQ in Five Points, if there’s a delicious bite to be had, she’s tried it.

Columbia ambassadors 2023

Bianca Crawford Shelton (left) and Morihiko Nakahara (right) photographed in their elements. | Photos courtesy of Lucas Brown


Morihiko Nakahara | Music Director of the South Carolina Philharmonic

A native of Kagoshima, Japan, Morihiko is now in his 15th season as Music Director at the Philarmonic where he’s known for his charisma on and off the podium.

Bianca Crawford Shelton | President + CEO of The Crawford Austin Agency

With a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications from USC and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Columbia College, Bianca is a shining example of establishing roots in the Soda City after studying here.

John Sherrer | Director of Preservation at Historic Columbia

If you’ve been on one of Historic Columbia’s tours, John was likely your guide. He’s an expert at sharing Cola’s rich history about the many people and places that have shaped the place we call home.
MUSC Health

Click here to have your event featured.
Friday, Jan. 13
  • Historical Marker Unveiling | Friday, Jan. 13 | 10:30 a.m. | The Horseshoe at USC, 900 Sumter St., Columbia | Free | The USC Horseshoe historical marker will recognize people of African descent who have been integral to USC since its founding.
Saturday, Jan. 14
Sunday, Jan. 15
Monday, Jan. 16
  • FAAAC presents A Storytelling Celebration | Monday, Jan. 16 | 1:30-2:30 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | Free | Enjoy free admission during MLK Day at the CMA and join the Friends of African American Art & Culture for a storytelling event celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.*
Thursday, Jan. 19
  • YLS Oyster Roast | Thursday, Jan. 19 | 6-9 p.m. | City Market Place, 705 Gervais St., Columbia | $40-$50 | Join YLS for a shuckin’ good time at their annual Oyster Roast benefiting United Way, and enjoy a silent auction, open bar, and music by DJ Preach Jacobs.*
Plan Ahead
  • The Play That Goes Wrong | Friday, Jan. 27-Sunday, Feb. 12 | Times vary | Town Theatre, 1012 Sumter St, Columbia | This hilarious hit play-within-a-play about a theater company murder is sure to leave you in stitches.*

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
100+ MORE EVENTS
6AM City In-house

Weather
  • 53º | Partly cloudy | 16% chance of rain
Coming Soon
  • Banh Mi Boys, a small restaurant chain that started in Louisiana and serves Vietnamese sandwiches and New Orleans po’ boys, is planning to open in the Granby area in May. An exact location hasn’t been announced, but follow along to stay in the loop. 🥖 (The State)
Biz
  • Kim Wilkerson, the president of Bank of America’s South Carolina operations, announced that she will retire in March after 42 years with the company and its predecessors. Vaughn Reynolds will succeed Wilkerson as the Columbia market president. (The Post and Courier)
Sports
  • Arden Conyers of Westwood High School in Blythewood and Milaysia Fulwiley of W.J. Keenan High School are finalists for the 2023 McDonald’s All-American Games featuring the best high school basketball players in the country. The final rosters will be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 24. 🏀
Shop
  • The Ernest A. Finney, Jr. Cultural Arts Center (1510 Laurens St.) will host its first pop-up market on Saturday from 12-5 p.m. The market will feature an array of talents, including visual artists, ceramicists, and topiary artists, and a special reading by Dinah Johnson of her latest children’s book, H is for Harlem.
Plan Ahead
  • The fifth annual Cottontown Art Crawl will take place on Saturday, March 11 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and feature 140 artists showcasing their work in the historic downtown neighborhood. The event is free and open to the public and features live music from local bands and performers. 🖼️
Listen
  • The Free Times released its 2022 “Best of South Carolina Music” list, featuring several Soda City artists. Check out the list here and tune in to find your new favorite local artist. 🎧
Fact or Fiction
  • Restrictive diets are the most effective way to get results — fact or fiction? This is fiction, of course. Instead, try realistic goals + gradual implementation of positive health habits. Want more tips? Hear from MUSC Health’s Dr. Elizabeth Wallis about goal setting, lifestyle changes, and more. 🍊*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Feeling lucky?

Celebrate Friday the 13th in Columbia, SC
Columbia SC Oct 2022-3667.jpg
Save room for popcorn + soda after your Thanksgiving meal. | Photo by COLAtoday
Watch out for ladders and black cats in your path today, Cola. It’s officially Friday the 13th, commonly known as the most unlucky day of the year. We won’t see another until October, so here are four ways to make your own luck today.
  • Get some new ink. Look out for Friday the 13th tattoo deals at Devine Street Tattoo and other local shops, and check out our list of local tattoo parlors to find your lucky match. Pro tip: Head to your favorite shop early to grab your spot in line.
  • Watch a scary movie. Pick up to-go popcorn from The Nick — like Dawn Staley does — and settle in for the night with the classic horror flick “Friday The 13th.”
  • If you’re feline lucky, may we suggest adopting a black cat? Fig is adorable and available at Columbia Animal Services (127 Humane Ln.)
  • Have a busy day at the office, but still want to get in the mood? Tune into South Carolina Public Radio’s podcast “South of Spooky” where they explore local legends in the Midlands and beyond.
  • Learn about the origins of the superstitions from USC professor emeritus of sociology Barry Markovsky.
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by David.

Editor’s pick: I’m taking off on a little Southwestern vacation to Santa Fe, New Mexico and one of my stops is the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. I’m hoping to find out a bit more about her time teaching at Columbia College and how it influenced her art.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Read about Forest Acres’ newest park, here.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Samantha Robertson, David Stringer, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Lindsey Rhinesmith | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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