(Chunsta Miller speaks at Goodwill Champions of Change Awards. Photo by August M. Spencer)

The fourth annual Goodwill Champions of Change Awards honored six individuals and industries that have benefited from Goodwill’s career and education programs. 

The ceremony, held May 1, 2025, at the 1881 Event Hall in Spartanburg, featured comments from Spartanburg Mayor Jerome Rice along with a proclamation from Spartanburg County Councilman Monier Abusaft naming May 1 Goodwill Champions of Change Day in Spartanburg County.

In her opening remarks, Chunsta Miller, VP of communication and public engagement for Goodwill Industries of the Upstate and Midlands, focused on “the power of work” and its impact on communities.

Goodwill’s economic impact on the Upstate is estimated to be $106 million, Rice said, adding that “We must invest in people for the greatest returns,” said Rice.

Irmastene Clark, winner of the Bill Hummers Mission Impact Award, was recognized for her dedication to caring for her grandmother during her last years of life. This inspired Clark to pursue a formal CNA certification through Goodwill’s six-week CNA program. 

She is now a homeowner and has taken on a second job helping men with intellectual disabilities live more independently.

Tommy Whiteside, winner of the William Wylie Career and Training Center Award, found a career path after several years of incarceration thanks to Goodwill’s Career Services. He was the top of his class of 16 aspiring truck drivers, and now has his CDL and financial stability. 

Whiteside was unable to accept his award in person as he was on his way to a New Mexico delivery.

Winner of the Cecil McFarland Employer Partner Award, Spinx has partnered with Goodwill for staffing support with much success. 

Spinx, having organized four job fairs at the Hardscrabble Goodwill in Richland County, succeeded in sourcing 30 new hires in October 2024 for its Columbia location.

The Bridge at Green Street, an arm of First Baptist Spartanburg, received the LaCrystal Jackson Community Partner Award. Speaking on behalf of the late LaCrystal Jackson were her mother and son. 

The Bridge at Green Street, in an ongoing partnership with Goodwill, established monthly visits from Goodwill’s Mission Mobile unit to provide career services to the Spartanburg area. 

The Bridge serves approximately 500 people each month, providing low-cost clothing, food, bikes, and tutoring to the Spartanburg community.

Ron Rhames, winner of the Tony Bell Champion Award, has been a champion of education-access and workforce-development since his time as the first African American president of Midlands Technical College. 

Goodwill is one of many community organizations he has partnered with during his many years of service to his community.

Alisha Clopton accepted the Lloyd Auten Achiever of the Year Award. Born with a rare eye disease causing severe vision loss to her center field of view, Clopton struggled academically and eventually dropped out of high school. 

Clopton became a mother at 19, and went to work after connecting with Goodwill’s career services. Five years of employment with Goodwill led her to become the current assistant manager at the Newberry Goodwill.

The Champions of Change Awards were sponsored by East Coast Graphics (ECG), TD Bank, Dancy Interior Construction, Inc., and Garfield Signs & Graphics.