Urban League of The Upstate receives transformative gifts for McClaren Institute of Health & Quality of Life
February 26, 2025
Dr. Gail Wilson Awan, President and CEO, Urban League of the Upstate
The Urban League of the Upstate recently celebrated the near completion of its $3.5 million campaign for the McClaren Institute of Health & Quality of Life with a brunch, remarks, and gathering at Avenue in downtown Greenville.
The McClaren Institute for Health & Quality of Life is a center for wellness programs, education, and outreach to Black and underserved communities in the 10-county region of the Upstate. Powered by the Urban League of the Upstate (ULUS), this facility and programmatic hub provide more avenues for positive change and health equity throughout the community.
Recent contributions from the Hearst Foundation, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, the Jolley Foundation, the Symmes Foundation, and several corporations and individual donors helped the Urban League meet its construction fundraising goals and complete the facility’s build-out and renovations.
“These remarkable gifts reflect the power of collaboration in creating a healthier, more equitable future for all. The McClaren Institute will provide essential services and inspire the community to come together and invest in long-term solutions for health and wellness,” said ULUS President and CEO Dr. Gail Wilson Awan.
The Cultural and Historical Literacy Center, the last portion of the project, needs less than $300,000 to be outfitted entirely with interactive exhibits and displays. The Center’s mission is to offer a space to educate, inspire, and honor the contributions of Black citizens who have shaped the Upstate’s growth and development.
McClaren Institute Active Programming and Services:
The McClaren Institute is partnering with multiple organizations to offer programming and services that have an upstate-wide impact:
The McClaren Scholars Program offers a comprehensive approach to healthcare education. Students participate in a curriculum with online learning modules covering essential healthcare concepts. This allows young people to build a solid foundation in medical knowledge, from the science basics to more specialized topics required for a healthcare career.
The first cohort of McClaren AHEC Scholars was selected in the spring of 2024 and started their programming together. Ten students from multiple Upstate-area high schools were chosen.
Mental Health Initiatives
The Urban League of the Upstate launched the McClaren Institute of Health and Quality of Life Mental Health Initiative in 2024 under the dedicated leadership of Dr. Asa Briggs, DNP, PMHNP-BC. As one of the inaugural programs under the Institute’s umbrella, this initiative is already making strides in building mental health awareness, connecting individuals with resources, and destigmatizing mental health conversations in Black and underserved communities across the Upstate.
Community-Based Health and Quality of Life Programs:
Through ongoing collaboration with partners like LiveWell Greenville, the United Way of Anderson, the National Urban League, and the Upstate Area Health Education Center (AHEC), the McClaren Institute offers services to improve health outcomes and empower individuals to take control of their quality of life. These include pop-up clinics, health screenings, vaccine promotion, education, and youth development.
To learn more or donate to the remaining efforts related to the Cultural and Historical Literacy Center, visit urbanleagueupstate.org/mcclaren.
About The Urban League of the Upstate
The mission of the ULUS is to advance equity by empowering the Black community and underserved individuals throughout the region. The National Urban League is laser-focused on Health Equity as a key initiative, supporting local efforts through funding, advocacy, and programming. To learn more, visit urbanleagueupstate.org.
