January 20, 2022 - Get DEI-certified + Dawn Staley chats with Alex English

Lenoir-Rhyne’s Equity and Diversity Institute starts Feb. 2

As more leaders + educators make DEI – that’s diversity, equity, and inclusion – a priority, Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Diversity and Equity Institute (aka LREDI) in Asheville, NC has stepped up to offer virtual courses and full certifications in DEI. Today, we’re exploring the way LREDI prepares its participants to maximize impact in their DEI efforts. Bonus: Their spring courses start the week of Feb. 2, and registration is open now.

LREDI offers courses taught by DEI leaders | Photo provided by Lenoir-Rhyne University

An offering of Lenoir-Rhyne’s graduate program, LREDI was developed by Aisha Adams, entrepreneur and founder of Aisha Adams Media Group and Equity Over Everything. Participants choose courses from four core areas: Foundational Leadership, Education, Technology, and Business. Many of the courses count towards continuing professional education in several fields, like human resources, law, and healthcare.

You can sign up for courses individually ($399 each), or you can complete the entire program ($2,793) to get your Equitable Leadership Certificate.

Want to complete the full certification in DEI? Here’s what you need to know:

You’ll need to sign up for all four Foundational Leadership courses (The Courage Principle; Equity Over Everything; Foundations of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion; and Starting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conversations).
Then, you’ll select three courses tailored to your professional concentration area (Education, Technology, or Business). Courses are four hours each and are offered multiple times a year, so you can make them work for your schedule.
After you complete your coursework, you’ll attend a Folding Chair session: a capstone course where new graduates are challenged to participate in public, socially complex conversations around DEI.

6AM City’s own Culture and Team Development Leader, Ali McGhee, will be starting certification courses this February. Want to join her? We’re working with LREDI to offer our readers 10% off of the total cost of certification. To grab this deal, input “6amCity” when you register here.*

READY TO REGISTER?

This content was created in partnership with Lenoir-Rhyne University.*

Pass this on to your fellow leaders, teachers, and activators.

EVENTS

Today

Yacht Rock Revue | Thurs., Jan. 20 | 8 p.m. | The Township Auditorium | $28+ 🦪
Succulent + Sangria Workshop | Thurs., Jan. 20 | 6:30-8 p.m. | PlantHouse Cola, 702 Cross Hill Rd. | $38 | Select your succulents + decor to make your own terrarium. 🪴
Young Leaders Society Oyster Roast | Thurs., Jan. 20 | 5-8 p.m. | City Market Place, 705 Gervais St. | $40-50 per person | Shuck oysters, groove to Prettier Than Matt + give back through the silent auction or raffle, benefitting Be a Book Bunny — cold-weather donations are encouraged.*

Friday

Alabama 50th Anniversary Tour | Fri., Jan. 21 | 7 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena | $25+ | This concert was originally scheduled for April 24 and all previously purchased tickets will be honored on the new performance date.
Free Throw, Worst Party Ever, Bad Luck, and Camp Trash | Fri., Jan. 21 | Doors open at 6 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern | $15+ | This is rescheduled from the postponed show, and all previous tickets will be honored. 🎶

Saturday

Cheers to Two Years | Sat., Jan. 22 | 12-9 p.m. | Craft and Draft Irmo | Free | Come celebrate the brewery’s two year anniversary with live music and drinks. 🍻

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

MORE JANUARY EVENTS

DRINK

Top 12 wines to try this winter 🍷

Photo provided by WSJ Wine

No plans for this weekend? We suggest cozying up with a nice book and a glass of wine from WSJwine — featuring a Top 12 lineup packed with major award winners + five-star favorites — all for $69.99.

Bonus: Order now and you’ll not only enjoy $125 in savings, but also toasty bonus gifts (a $68.97 value). Cheers.🍷*

UNCORK THIS DEAL

NEWS NOTES

Weather

54º | Showers | 67% chance of rain
Wintry weather is looking increasingly likely for the weekend, and a Winter Storm Watch is now in effect. The chances of freezing rain and snow showers overnight into Saturday are up to 80%. ❄️ (WIS)

Coming Soon

Sub Station II is set to open in spring at 460-6 Town Center Pl., next to Moe’s. The Sandhills location was formerly home to Indigo Blu Gallery. 🥖

Number

62. Where Columbia ranks on Wallethub’s list of Best Cities for STEM professionals. It included data metrics within professional opportunities, STEM-friendliness, and quality of life to determine the best markets. (Wallethub)
127. The number of acres the SC Department of Natural Resources wants to purchase and add to the 627 acre Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve. The additional land allows for more walking trails and more access to historical sites for state archaeologists. (The Post and Courier)

Listen

Dawn Staley interviewed Gamecock men’s basketball + NBA hall-of-famer Alex English on the latest episode of her new podcast NetLife. The two discussed their favorite Gamecock moments, along with leadership lessons they learned from basketball. 🐐

Health

Colonial Life has pledged $100,000 over three years towards the renovation of the Good Samaritan-Waverly Hospital on the Allen University campus. In addition, the funds will support STEM summer camps for high school students, support programming, and name a classroom within the Boeing Institute on Civility. 🏥

Sports

The Gamecocks men’s basketball team lost at Arkansas Tuesday night, 75-59. The team is now 10-7 on the season, and returns to Colonial Life Arena to face Georgia on Saturday. 🐗

Soda Citizen

Ashley Whisonant, a former Lexington Richland District Five elementary teacher, is the new CEO of Columbia-based Capital Office Products. Ashley will take over the company her father started 25 years ago this April. 📎 (Cola Daily)

Coronavirus

Need your first or second vaccine dose, or your booster shot? Nephron Pharmaceuticals offers Pfizer and Moderna vaccinations to those who are eligible, which, in case you missed it, includes children ages 5-11.*

Arts

Calling all local artists: Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) is now accepting submissions for its popular Art in the Airport program, which will feature works in the busiest part of the airport from four local artists. Interested artists can submit work via email by Fri., Jan. 28. 🎨*

Featured Job

CKP is looking for a Public Relations Director. The award-winning communications firm is based in Texas but is looking for a South Carolina team member for its hybrid workplace. Learn more and apply.*

*This paid content, brought to you by our advertising partners, helps make this newsletter free.

POST OF THE DAY

So many delicious options

📸 @hoteltrundle

Hotel Trundle, Columbia’s first boutique hotel, bounced around some of the walkable eateries within a few blocks of its downtown location. There’s truly something for every occasion with even more options coming soon.

The time of day you’re in downtown Cola will determine your food options. Some staples like Swanson’s Deli and Hampton Place Cafe are only open for lunch, while Bourbon and The Whig are open for the evening + late night crowds.

#DYK that your photos and quotes could be featured in our newsletter?

Just use #COLAtoday on social media.

REWARDS

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THE WRAP

Editor’s pick: I was planning to attend the 9th Annual Pig and Oyster Roast Saturday at City Roots Farm, but they’ve rescheduled it to Feb. 5. Every year, chef + owner Kristian Niemi drives to Bulls Bay on Friday to pick up the fresh oysters. With icy weather on the forecast, safe travels come first.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Here’s what you’d like to see at the former Vista Starbucks location.