On April 16, young professionals from across Upstate South Carolina gathered for PIQUE 2026, Ten at the Top’s annual conference designed to connect, develop, and inspire emerging leaders. Hosted at Milliken & Company in Spartanburg, the event delivered a dynamic afternoon of learning, conversation, and meaningful connection.
The opening networking session in the atrium—complete with an interactive expo and LinkedIn Lounge—created immediate opportunities to build relationships and strengthen professional presence. Rather than easing into the day, participants were encouraged to jump right into conversation, setting the tone for a highly engaging experience.
The first session, “From Application to Impact,” featured alumni of Upstate Leadership Programs who shared how leadership development translates into real-world results. Panelists offered candid perspectives on growth, challenges, and the importance of applying what you learn in tangible ways—setting a practical, action-oriented tone for the rest of the day.
From there, attendees explored a variety of sessions tailored to different aspects of professional growth. The panel “Mapping Your Professional Growth” guided participants through navigating career paths, setting goals, and embracing change in an evolving workplace. For those looking to build specific skills, workshops like “Executive Courage” focused on communicating with confidence and leading with clarity, while “Maximizing Wellness” emphasized sustainable success and personal well-being.
A standout feature of PIQUE 2026 was the opportunity for direct interaction with experienced leaders. Executive roundtables created space for smaller, more personal conversations, giving attendees the chance to ask questions, gain insight, and build meaningful connections with professionals across industries.
The conference concluded with a networking reception, where conversations continued and new connections were solidified. Attendees left not only with fresh insights and practical tools, but also with a stronger sense of community and purpose.
PIQUE 2026 reinforced a simple but powerful idea: professional growth doesn’t happen in isolation. By bringing together emerging leaders and experienced voices in an interactive, intentional setting, the event empowered participants to take the next step in their careers—and to play an active role in shaping the future of the Upstate.
Organized by Together SC, the annual Nonprofits at the Statehouse will take place on April 22 from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Blatt Building in Columbia, S.C.
This is a great opportunity for anyone involved in the nonprofit sector to meet with state lawmakers, celebrate community service, and network with other nonprofit professionals. Engaging directly with legislators enables nonprofits to highlight their community’s needs and potentially secure support for their efforts.
This event is open to the public and sponsored by several companies including TATT Visionary Partner BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. Special ticket pricing is available for members of Together SC.
For more information about the annual Nonprofits at the Statehouse event, visit the link below.
April 22 is Earth Day, a time to raise awareness about environmental issues like pollution and climate change. It is also a great time to take action.
You could plant native flowers & trees, volunteer to clean up a stream or river, participate in a community garden, and much more.
There are also several Earth Day festivities happening across the Upstate. Spartanburg Area Conservancy is holding their Earth Day Festival on April 18 at Glendale Shoals Preserve. This event will feature music, outdoor yoga, art, food, and much more. On April 22, Upstate Forever is holding an Earth Day volunteer workday where they will be removing invasive shrubs from the Glendale Property at Lawsons Fork Creek. The removal of invasive species helps protect the natural habitat of native plants and animals.
Earth Day inspires us to take meaningful steps toward protecting our planet every day. Together, small actions can lead to a healthier, greener future for generations to come.
CommunityWorks is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution that works with various resources to contribute to affordable housing, local development, small business growth and more.
Recently, they have launched their Emerging Developer Bootcamp aimed at addressing affordable housing in the Upstate. This weeklong course equips landowners with the training needed to carry out residential development initiatives within their community. The initial cohort included 13 experts from various fields and focused on single and multi-family living as well as investment into community infrastructure.
CommunityWorks has several training events scheduled for 2026. If you would like to attend a training session, or learn more about CommunityWorks, please visit the link below.
Our recent TATT Chat featured an inspiring deep dive into SC250, the state’s official commission dedicated to celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. We were joined by Molly Fortune, Heather Hawkins, and Libby Imbody, who shared how South Carolina—and specifically our Upstate counties—played a pivotal role in winning American independence.
The mission of SC250 is clear: to celebrate and promote South Carolina’s role in the American Revolution by educating and inspiring both residents and visitors. With a strategic focus on discovering significant people, places, and principles, the commission is working to make Revolutionary scholarship accessible to all.
This isn’t just about history books; it’s about heritage tourism and economic development. To date, the commission has seen significant state investment, including $10.9 million in funding for FY 2026 alone. This funding supports:
46 County Committees working on local commemorations.
Over 76 sites preserved and interpreted across the state.
40 publications commissioned to tell our state’s stories from many points of view.
Upstate Successes
The Upstate is leading the charge in this commemorative effort. Our region’s counties—including Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Oconee, Abbeville, Pickens, Laurens, Cherokee, and Union—have been highly active in securing grant funding and organizing local committees . From the battlefields of the backcountry to the strategic hubs of the Revolutionary era, the Upstate’s impact is being rediscovered and celebrated.
Looking Ahead: Carolina Days 2026
Mark your calendars! One of the most anticipated upcoming events is Carolina Days, scheduled for June 27 – July 5, 2026. This week-long celebration will include:
Carolina Day (June 28): Commemorating the Battle of Sullivan’s Island.
Explore Carolina (June 29): Highlighting our state’s trails and rivers.
Independence Day (July 4): Recognizing the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Get Involved
Whether you are an educator, a local leader, or a history enthusiast, there are resources available for you at southcarolina250.com. You can access educational tools, visitor planning guides, and information on grant funding to bring Revolutionary history to life in your own community.
Over 1 million people in the United States have Parkinson’s Disease (PD). April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, a time to reduce stigma and provide support. The Greenville Area Parkinson’s Society (GAPS) is holding a series of events this month to support those affected.
Goodbye, winter! Spring has sprung. Now is the time to get outdoors and enjoy the lakes, rivers, mountains, and over 100 waterfalls in Upstate South Carolina. From scenic outdoor dining to “pick your own” farms, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the season.
The Oconee County Humane Society handles adoptions, foster care, and spay/neuter programs. They also operate “Well Pet,” a community veterinary clinic. They are currently looking for volunteers and donations to help the 1,600+ pets they assist annually.
Ten at the Top Updates Homelessness & Housing workshop on March 27 on alternative dwelling units
PIQUE for Young Professionals at Milliken & Company on April 16 Events on TATT website
Thank you to TATT funding partners!
How Feed & Seed is Addressing Food Insecurity
The idea for Feed & Seed came out of a series of food systems workshops that Ten at the Top helped convene. Board Chair of Feed & Seed, Mary Hipp, shared the 12-year history of the organization. Feed & Seed Co. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to close food access gaps and strengthen local food economy. By partnering with farmers statewide, they bring fresh, seasonal produce to communities through markets, schools, and community organizations. Their work supports farmers, expands access to nutritious food, and helps build a more sustainable and resilient local food system.
In April of 2022, Feed & Seed was established at Judson Mill. The Hayne Hipp Community Room is a community space for rent, and there are commercial kitchens for bulk cooking and food prep. There is a food waste program with rooms for dehydrating, freeze-drying, and or flash freezing fruit, a 5,000 sq. ft. walk in freezer and cooler space, good agricultural practices wash and pack room, good manufacturing practices warehouse, and processing facility for food preparation. Tours are welcome!
Feed & Seed’s role is as a connector and storage house, making sure local products get to end users.
Food banks in SC had a 30% increase in demand since March of 2025.
Food insecurity by the numbers:
14.4% of South Carolinians are food insecure with the majority being veterans, seniors, children, those with disabilities.
South Carolina is 7th in the nation in food insecurity.
During the 2025 Federal shutdown the USDA was completely shut down. Some food access programs were reinstated. Several food access programs that Feed & Seed participated in locally were not reinstated, such as Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) Local Foods in Schools (LFS), and Fresh for Life.
Programs that are still in place:
FoodShare SC – Feed & Seed provides produce boxes for Pickens, Oconee, and Abbeville Counties
Veggie RX with Rural Clemson Health – prescription food boxes
Supporting Community Agriculture and Local Education Systems (SCALES).
The resource update was provided by Dawn Deck, Executive Director of LISC Upstate South Carolina. LISC is a national organization – Local Initiative Support Corporation. “LISC is one of the country’s largest community development nonprofits, helping forge vibrant, resilient communities across America. They work with resident and partners to close gaps in health, wealth, and opportunity so people and places can thrive.”
LISC delivers grants, loans, equity and capacity building support to under resourced communities by leveraging relationships to provide resources. There are 34 local offices, focusing in Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson in the Upstate but not limited to those areas.
LISC has 10 program lanes: housing, digital equity, education and childcare, health, sustainability, safety and justice, sports and youth development, economic development, income and wealth building, and small business. The work is demand based.
In the Upstate, the focus is on affordable housing, economic development, income and wealth building, and capacity building through investing in nonprofits and CDCs, providing training, technical assistance, and funding to help trusted organizations scale their impact.
The Financial Opportunity Center was recently established in Anderson in partnership with Anderson Interfaith Ministries (AIM).
LISC Upstate has invested over $765 million in South Carolina resulting in 7,108 affordable homes and apartments and 40,000 sq. ft. of commercial and community space.
As a CDFI, LISC invests loans in projects such as community facilities, mixed use, commercial/industrial development, affordable housing, charter schools, and economic development.
Ten at the Top’s March 2026 Upstate Connect was hosted by the Pickens County Museum of Art & History.
Attendees came from across the Upstate – from Spartanburg, Greenville, Pickens, and Anderson Counties. Introductions revealed that 14 of the group of 38 were born and raised in the Upstate and the average time that “newcomers” in the group have lived in the Upstate is 13 years.
The group heard from Chris Sullivan – Anderson County Council, Ken Roper – Pickens County Administrator, Jon Batson – Stormwater Manager at Anderson County, and Kyle Bennett – Pickens County Stormwater Department Head.
Pickens and Anderson Counties are enacting regulations to preserve the integrity of water systems in their areas to maintain long-term sustainability in their communities.
Anderson County Councilman Chris Sullivan and Pickens Administer Ken Roper started the discussion with the impetus of their counties’ work on the development of a set of standards to be used to maintain the stabilization of water systems in both counties. As there are many entities working toward the common good, the cities, municipalities, and counties involved must work together to ensure the best outcome for all involved.
As record numbers of people have moved to the area, Pickens County has seen more public interest in regulations to protect land and water systems. The county has enacted regulations such as slope standards for new developments, property line offsets, riparian buffers, and permanent stabilization requirements during the process of building developments. There are also tree density requirements and incentives for more open areas being incorporated, and maximum disturbance requirements based on grading and acreage.
Discussion followed about state annexation laws, the possible result of increased regulation increasing housing price points, and the importance of education and working together on these critical and complex issues.
