Recently, The Renaissance Foundation held its inaugural “Passing the Torch” awards gala on October 15, 2010 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in Columbia, South Carolina. The purpose of the gala was to recognize community servant leaders under the age of fifty who are making significant contributions to our communities while improving the quality of life for all South Carolinians. Additionally, the gala provided the public with the opportunity to meet the next generation of leaders that will aide in building strong cross-cultural communities. The proceeds from this gala went toward the restoration and transformation of Historic Bethel into a Cultural Arts Center, and to fund the Foundation’s Arts-in-Education/Edu-History Program. The keynote speaker for this event was Mr. Jonathan Green, a world renowned artist from South Carolina.