The Urban League of the Upstate won awards for a new TV and film career initiative
- Charles Reams 1
- Oct 30
- 1 min read
On October 29, the Urban League of the Upstate announced it has received prestigious national awards from the National Urban League at the 2025 Whitney M. Young, Jr. Leadership Conference held in Brooklyn, NY.
These awards celebrate the successful launch of the innovative Entrepreneurship program, which helps upstate residents start new businesses in the TV and film industry. Another award is for a Career Development Center led by Lekesa P. Whitner and ECDC Site Director Victor Durrah.
Whitner said she will provide additional staff, food, and access to training modules for participants.
Durrah said he will direct participants from his Brothers Restoring Urban Hope initiative to the award-winning new program.
The ECDC will provide training, resources, and opportunities to help individuals, both new and experienced, from underserved communities achieve economic empowerment and explore career paths in TV, film, acting, production, and other behind-the-scenes opportunities. The specific programs and focus areas can vary by local affiliate, but they all aim to increase employment, business ownership, and wealth.
Whitner said our goal is to establish Spartanburg County as a thriving talent hub for South Carolina’s film, television, and entertainment industry.
