2014 Jan Unite

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January 2014 Volume 24/ Number 1 • A Monthly Publication by Unite. of Southwest Missouri, Inc •

www.unitenewsonline.org

UNITE.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Civil Rights Leader 1929 -1968

Building Empowering Connections In Our Diverse Community

See Denise WardBrown Film: From Jim Crow To Barack Obama Springfield, MO— The public is invited to the Springfield premiere of an exciting new video documentary, From Jim Crow to Barack Obama, to be shown at 2 pm, Saturday, Jan. 18, in the Plaster Student Union Auditorium at Missouri State University. continued on page 4

MSU Division for Diversity and Inclusion Seeks Community Support

Honoring The Life Of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Jan 20 Springfield, MO—The annual MLK March will take place at 9:30 a.m. Monday, January 20, 2014 at the Mediacom Ice Park. The celebration program starts at 11:00 a.m. at the Gilloz Theatre.

A World Of Opportunity At The 17th Annual Spfld Multicultural Festival, Jan 20 Springfield, MO—A world of opportunity awaits you at Springfield Multicultural Festival. The event is Monday, January 20, 2014 at Juanita K. Hammons Hall 525 Hammons continued on page 5

by Ken Coopwood, Sr., Ph.D.

by Ken Coopwood, Sr., Ph.D. Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion at Missouri State University Building the Bridge – The Division for Diversity and Inclusion (DDI) at Missouri State University The Division for Diversity and Inclusion is proud to partner with Unite! Together we will distribute diversity information to its growing readership. This partnership represents a significant connection between the University and all underrepresented communities. As Vice President for the DDI, I am thankful for the opportunity

to be part of the community impact that is unique to Unite, and I pledge my commitment to provide informative, collaborative, and uplifting news to all readers. The DDI was established officially in October, 2011. My staff and I began our journey towards development of our division with support from several campus and community partners, and the leadership of President Clif Smart. We are concerned about the equitable distribution of opportunities, resources and justice for the entire campus and community. We are educators about how to install policies, programs and practices in any industry that is inclusive of everyone, and values individual talent for the

common good regardless of race, creed, ability, orientation, age, etc. The major individual units that make up the DDI are: The Office of the Vice President (large-scale campus and community initiatives), The Disability Resource Center (mandated services to all people with physical, mental or other disabilities), The Office of Multicultural Services (scholarship and outreach administration), The Office for Institutional Equity and Compliance (affirmative action and complaint processing), and the Office of Multicultural Programs (extracurricular activity, research and global development). Each unit leads efforts that carry out continued on page 5

March Unite Page 6 January Unite Page 11

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The Library

continued from page 3

Letter From The Managing Editor Dear Unite Publication Readers, We understand that diversity goes beyond fair hiring practices and protection for all employees. It also includes a focus on doing business together, how we worship or how we create and appreciate the arts together. Inclusion is how those various pieces fit together to create a harmonious, integrated whole. As this year winds down, I hope that you can look back and reflect on an amazing year and that you are excited about what the future of our community may be in 2014. With a continued mission of building empowering connections in our diverse community, the Unite Publication highlights people, ideas and organizations who are making valuable contributions to the Springfield area. For over 20 years now, we have provided you with stories about community leaders, local organizations, business owners, church news, local history and a variety of other news and informational resources not always available in other local news sources. Without the investment of our sponsors and supporters, none of this would be possible. Because we only ask for your financial help once a year from our readers, many of you, probably don’t realize that the Unite Publication is a 501(c)(3) notfor-profit organization. The majority of our income is generated from our advertising sales in the publication, and the Annual Springfield Multicultural Festival. In order for us to keep pace with the increasing costs of operating expenses, we are asking for your help. We have extended our campaign one more month, so over the next 30 days, we are asking our Unite readers to consider making a tax deductible donation to support our work. Please make your tax-deductible donations to, Unite, and mail it to: P.O. Box 1745. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions about this pledge drive or any of the other programs we offer. Thank you in advance for your support! Best Regards, Samuel G. Knox, Unite President and Managing Editor

are planned throughout the building. Guests include Missouri State University intern Briana Simmons and African-American Read In members. The event is sponsored by Peoples Etiquette, MSU’s Diversity and Inclusion Department, the Springfield branch of the NAACP and the Library. ••• Have some overdue book fines you’d like to wipe clean in 2014? Take advantage of the Library’s Food For Fines offer anytime between Sunday, Jan. 26, and Saturday, Feb. 1. It’s a “fine amnesty week” that benefits two ways. For each item of non-perishable food you donate at one of the Springfield-Greene County Library District branches or Mobile Library, we’ll deduct 50 cents from your overdue fine balance. All of the food and hygiene items donated that week will be delivered to Ozarks Food Harvest, the Feeding America food bank for southwest Missouri. It serves 250 hunger relief organizations across 28 Ozarks counties. The Food Bank reaches about 80,000 individuals monthly and distributes 12 million pounds of food annually. In return, you can whittle away small or large overdue fine balances from your or a family member’s library card account. Library card holders can’t borrow books or other items when their overdue fines reach $10, so Food For Fines is an easy way to whittle down the balance so

you, a child or teen in the family A Directory of can check out books, movies and free orfrom low cost music again the neighborBusiness hood library. Food For Fines applies only to Assistance overdue items; not fines for lost Springfield Chamber or damagedArea items. There’s of no Commerce limit to how much you can pay www.spfldchamber.com down. Just bag up your food 417.862.5567 donations and take them to the Small Business check-out desk of any branch Administration (SBA) library or the bookmobile from www.sba.gov Jan. 26 through Feb. 1. 417.864.7670 Kathleen O’Dell is community Small Business relations director of the SpringDevelopment Center field-Greene County Library www.sbdc.smsu.edu District. She can be reached at 417.836.5685 417.864.7670 kathleeno@thelibrary.org.

Affordable Housing Opportunities There are currently housing vacancies in the City of Springfield’s program for rental or home ownership. These programs include requirements for fair marketing and nondiscrimination. You must be income eligible to qualify. For rental, call Marti Fewell, 417-864-1039 or visit springfieldmo.gov/housing

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Your Life Work the Way You Want It T GoodWillNews, Great Music by Jack Canfield and dreams just because "the worl Warm Co-Author of& Chicken Soup for People time isn't good"... you can still W the Soul Series

make 2009 the year you uncover a whole new you for the As I mentioned better! earlier, 2009 may Even in tough times, bring greater unceryou get to decide how tainty and more unsetto respond to certain Service Times: Sunday 10:30 a.m. & Wednesday 6:30 p.m. tling economic news conditions, opportunithan recent years, but ties, and outcomes--both these circumstances good and bad. should compel us to Life will always be Jack Canfield take a deep breath, and a series of choices and pause to think about our lives. YOU get to decide on what will When things happen in the move you closer to your goals, world that seem so far beyond or farther away from them. our individual control, it can feel External forces will always be unsettling. part of the equation, even durDon't give up on your goals ing the good times when the

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A Directory of local and regional health resources AIDS Federal hotline; 24 hours a day, everyday, including holidays. 1-800-590-AIDS (2437) Local office: 417-881-1900 Alzheimer’s Association 417-886-2199 Alzheimer's Dementia Workshop Lynette Adams Springfield, MO Any size class available 417-866-6878 American Stroke Association Learn more about strokes by calling 1-888-4-STROKE Cancer Resource Network 1-800-227-2345 Diabetes Hotline Division of Cox Medical Center North 417-269-3737 Medicare Information Medicare Information Hotline 1-800-494-7355 Mental Health Crisis Hotline Counseling needs & crisis intervention 1-800-494-7355 National Parkinson Foundation Education, announcements, links to related sites 1-800-327-4545 www.parkinson.org OTC Dental Hygiene Clinic Provides low cost dental care for adults and children; performed by students under the supervision of faculty and local dentists. Cleanings, X-rays and exams For adults $50. for children $35. Call 417-447-8835 to make appt. DHSS/ Office Of Minority Health The mission is to eliminate health disparities through assertive leadership, advocacy support, and visible interaction with minority communities in Missouri. Call: 1-800-877-3180

January Unite Page 3

IN THIS ISSUE

Health & Mental Fitness What Is Lung Cancer? by Center for Disease Control and and Prevention Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. When cancer starts in the lungs, it is called lung cancer. Lung cancer begins in the lungs and may spread to lymph nodes or other organs in the body, such as the brain. Cancer from other organs also may spread to the lungs. When cancer cells spread from one organ to another, they are called metastases. Lung cancers usually are grouped into two main types called small cell and non-small cell. These types of lung cancer grow differently and are treated differently. Non-small cell lung cancer is more common than small cell lung cancer. What Are the Symptoms? Different people have different symptoms for lung cancer. Some people have symptoms related to the lungs. Some people whose lung cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastasized) have symptoms specific to that part of the body. Some people just have general symptoms of not feeling well. Most people with lung cancer don't have symptoms until the cancer is advanced. Lung cancer symptoms may include— • Coughing that gets worse or doesn't go away. • Chest pain. • Shortness of breath. • Wheezing.

• Coughing up blood. • Feeling very tired all the time. • Weight loss with no known cause. Other changes that can sometimes occur with lung cancer may include repeated bouts of pneumonia and swollen or enlarged lymph nodes (glands) inside the chest in the area between the lungs. These symptoms can happen with other illnesses, too. If you have some of these symptoms, talk to your doctor, who can help find the cause. What Can I Do to Reduce My Risk? You can help lower your risk of lung cancer in the following ways— Don’t smoke. Smoking causes about 90% of lung cancer deaths in men and almost 80% of lung cancer deaths in women in the United States. The most important thing you can do to prevent lung cancer is to not start smoking, or to quit if you smoke. Avoid secondhand smoke. Smoke from other people’s cigarettes, pipes, or cigars is called secondhand smoke. Make your home and car smoke-free. Get your home tested for radon. The U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyExternal Web Site Icon recommends that all homes be tested for radon. Be careful at work. Health and safety guidelines in the workplace can help workers avoid carcinogens—things that can cause cancer. What Screening Tests Are There?

Screening means testing for a disease when there are no symptoms or history of that disease. Doctors recommend a screening test to find a disease early, when treatment may work better. Scientists have studied several screening tests for lung cancer— Some experts once recommended using chest X-rays to screen for lung cancer, but researchers found that people who were screened did not have a lower death rate than people who were not screened. Lung Cancer Statistics More people in the United States die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer. This is true for both men and women. For more information, visit Cancer Among Men and Cancer Among Women. In 2010 (the most recent year numbers are available)— 201,144 people in the United States were diagnosed with lung cancer, including 107,164 men and 93,980 women.*† 158,248 people in the United States died from lung cancer, including 87,698 men and 70,550 women.*† *Incidence counts cover about 97% of the U.S. population; death counts cover about 100% of the U.S. population. Use caution when comparing incidence and death counts. †Source: U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2010 Incidence and Mortality Webbased Report. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

by Kathleen O’Dell , Springfield-Greene County Library District Kick off African-American History Month in style with a special event, the Meet and Greet Celebration, at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Midtown Carnegie Branch Library. Everyone is invited to enjoy living history, food samples catered by Crosstown Barbecue and dress reminiscent of the Civic Club gatherings of the 1920s Harlem renaissance. Experience the literary art movement of the era with a discussion of new artists, intellectuals and books you wish you would have read. Activities continued on page 11

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Success for the New Year!

6

The Money Section

8

Lifestyle & Entertainment News

by Gwen Marshall

Managing Editor Samuel G. Knox

Easy Video Tutorials on Business Planning by The U.S. Small Business Administration

Movie Review —“The Best Man Holiday” by Lyle Foster

10

Volume 24, Number 1 Publisher Unite. of Southwest Missouri, Inc.

Community News

Dress Up In 1920s Harlem Renaissance Style At The Carnegie Branch Library

UNITE.

Contributing Writers Mark A. Dixon Lyle Foster Mia Jackson-Huskisson Kim Jones Gwen Marshall Kathleen O'Dell Vera Jane Goodin Schultz

Health & Mental Fitness

Photography David N. Knox John Schultz

What Is Lung Cancer?

by Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Volunteer Tyra Knox The Unite. publication is a

Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, Inc. The quality and care that you expect in 242 years of combined experience

W. Bruce Howell Robert J. Lohmeyer Don R. Lohmeyer Marquis D. Howell, Jr Heather K. Howell Angela N. Collins Harley R. Williams Clint W. Mease Winford R Laster

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City Employment Link Chase Card Services More than a Job…a Career. Open positions in our Springfield, MO Center. Join an organization recognized as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by Fortune Magazine. Now Available: • Customer Service Advisors • Collections • Team Manager & Team Leader Apply today. Visit us online at careers.jpmorganchase.com. Keyword: SpringfieldMO

The City of Springfield offers a variety of municipal career opportunities for individuals interested in public service. Job opportunities are updated each Friday and can be accessed through a number of mediums: Web: http://www. springfieldmo.gov/jobs; or Phone: Jobs Hotline at 417-8641606; or TV: CityView on Medicacom Cable Digital Channel 80; or In Person: visiting our offices at 840 Boonville, Room 324, Springfield, MO 65802. The City is fully committed to a policy of hiring without regard to age, sex, race, religion, national origin, or disability. The City is an equal opportunity/ affirmative action employer.

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CommunitySection

Best Man Holiday continued from page 8

Success for the New Year! by Gwen Marshall, Unite Contributing Writer

ing about how you can improve your grade point average and attendance. This is a good time to I hope everyone had a wontake a retrospective look at what derful winter break. has worked well for you Now it is time to get academically and what back to the last two sehas not. Parents this is mesters of this school a great time to discuss year. January the secyour students conond is the beginning of cerns, ambitions and to the third quarter and make sure your senior an opportunity for a students are ready for fresh start and greater college or higher learnGwen Marshall success. Many of you ing. Encourage your are reflecting on how student to say focused you made it and how fantastic and stay evolved in sports or your semester grades were. clubs that are interesting and However, some of you are thinkengaging. It has been proven

that the more involved a student is in extracurricular activities the more successful they will be in school and in their life endeavors. As we start this third semester, here are a few things to remember: â&#x20AC;˘ Set a regular study time that fits in with the overall family schedule â&#x20AC;˘ Remove distractions, like television and phone calls during study time â&#x20AC;˘ Be prepared with all necessary supplies before getting started â&#x20AC;˘ Keep written record of assignments and deadlines in an academic calendar â&#x20AC;˘ Use effective note-taking skills

â&#x20AC;˘ Use effective time management â&#x20AC;˘ Organize well and study for test â&#x20AC;&#x153;Knowledge has to be improved, challenged, and increased constantly, or it vanishes.â&#x20AC;? Peter Drucker

Jim Crow Film

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are thrilled to bring this film to Springfield,â&#x20AC;? said Cheryl Clay, president of the Springfield Branch of the NAACP. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope that people from all ages will attend and be part of this important conversation.â&#x20AC;? Tickets are $10; the film screening will raise money for scholarships for NAACP youth members who will participate in the national NAACP Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACTSO) next year. Sponsors for the event are the Springfield Branch of the NAACP, Missouri State University Division for Diversity and Inclusion and Polsinelli PC. To buy tickets or for more information, contact Cheryl Clay at 417.873.6386.

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Come lend your voice to our University!

Missouri State University is recruiting diverse faculty and staff for a variety of positions. We are committed to inclusive excellence across campus, and we have a unique public affairs mission that encourages cultural competency, community engagement and ethical leadership. We believe diversity is good for our students, our community and our University. Our most important job is to give students an enriching education, complete with the tools for career success. Our faculty and staff must be racially, ethnically, culturally and socioeconomically diverse to help our students understand and appreciate different viewpoints, preparing them to lead the future. We act on our beliefs. Let us welcome you to our campus. Come see for yourself!

Search our vacancies to learn how you can join us.

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The film explores racism in America through conversations between African American elders who grew up in the Jim Crow era and young people between the ages of 16 and 30. Filmmaker Denise Ward-Brown, an associate professor at Washington University in St. Louis and an internationally exhibited sculptor, says the film seeks to inspire constructive, intergenerational conversation about race in America. Dr. Ward-Brown, a former Fulbright Scholar whose art frequently explores African and African-American themes and history, will join us to introduce the film and discuss it with the audience.

Dates to Remember: January 2, 2014 Classes Resume January 2, 2014 Third Quarter Begins January 20, 2014 Martin Luther King Jr. Day (School System Closed)

bridges to make you figure out the highlights from the first film. And before I forget many folks that I have talked to are raving about the soundtrack and have already bought it.....so let me say I was rocking my seat when I thought I could get away with it. And I don't want to give it all away but the musicians on the sound track are incredible. Malcolm D. Lee has written and directed this film and he does a good solid job....the scenery and the pace of the film are all sensible. I just was a bit put off by the plot change that everyone refers to when discussing this film It is so dramatic that it limits a real review of it and yet it is what makes the film what it is. Combined with the backdrop of Christmas the film seeks to also throw in some holiday good cheer and that also lends to its feel good quality. The basic plot of the film is the original cast is coming together to share the holidays with one of the original couples. As with the typical reunion there is some hesitancy and convincing needed to get everyone on board but sooner or later everyone is planning to come and catch up on old times. Well let's face it you don't need a rocket scientist to gather that when folks get together after 15 years of getting married and starting careers and having babies people change and have trust issues and people are just different with the passage of time. The host couple happens to be a NFL star player ...well at least in the film so the crib is off the chain and provides the perfect ...well almost too perfect backdrop for the plot of the film.....and to make the

movie work it has its twists and turns and most folks have really resonated with it. Astute movie goers can pick up a couple of clear clues but take my advice... don't try to figure the movie out....just sit back eat your popcorn and enjoy it! This is not a Golden Globe movie and of course it doesn't try to be....it is what it is....a feel good movie that shows black folks having a good time and dealing with the twists that we know is life. All of the cast are solid actors and they provide a credible performance. It is one of those films that you check out with a few friends or watch later in the family room but there is one scene in which the language is not for the young or the faint of heart. I guess I am old school in that regard. Sequels have their place but I sure hope they don't come up with a part 3.....But I would enjoy seeing most of this cast in a new film with a sufficient budget to stretch the genre of this kind of film for all of us to enjoy. However for now even though the holidays are over Best Man Holiday can still be enjoyed anytime of the year.....it is a good movie...but you may want to bring a few tissues. 88 out of 100

have room for our entresâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Oh the dĂŠcor! The atmosphere was pleasant enough and the staff were very friendly to the point we had several rounds of laughs and giggles with our hostess and our server. I ordered my specialty which is the fajitas and I had more that I could eat. To be specific I had the chicken fajitas which is my absolute favoriteâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śthey were steaming hot and full of vegetables. There were so many on my plate that I tried to share some with my dinner mates! Let me also mention that the portions of chicken were very ample too. My dinner mates had grilled chicken quesadillas and a taco plate. The taco shells were wonderful and had a great texture to them. If we made any mistake at all we all had chicken but I wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t second guess that because it is what our taste buds craved. The portions for all of us were great and our sides were good too. I am not the biggest fan of the typical sides that are usually served but the atmosphere and the main course was so good that it literally enhanced everything else.

Franchise Opp

continued from page 7 at Business.govâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Franchise and Business Opportunities Guide, which will also tell you exactly what rules apply to the company selling you the franchise. The more you know about their requirements, the better informed you are when evaluating their opportunities.

Classical and Neo-Classical *ANUARY s 0 - *UANITA + (AMMONS (ALL s #LASSICAL #ONCERT

Las Margaritas

Mozart n 6IOLIN #ONCERTO .O IN ' MAJOR Larry Dissmore, violin soloist

continued from page 8

(hahaha!) We started our meal with the necessary salsa and chips which was wonderful! The chips were warm which I love and the salsa was flavorful and just enough spice. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like it so spicy that you have to go to the nearest drug store for an antacid but yet you know that you have had some kick and seasoning. We had to force ourselves to stop eating them so we could

Now in case you are thinking about getting in your whip and heading there are to one of the other good restaurants in town with great Mexican fare you may be wondering if you have enough coin with all of the holiday shopping? Yes you can! Well I should say yes you do as Springfield has some very affordable Mexican restaurants and Los Margaritas is one of them. We had change left after the meal and it is a very good one. In fact it was so good I am planning to go over the holidays and enjoy the ambiance and the food again. It is the perfect warm up for the holiday cold and I hope to see you there!

Wagner â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Siegfried Idyll Prokofiev n 3YMPHONY .O n Classical Our first concert of 2014 will be an evening of lyrical and lighter works for the orchestra. From the classical period, the Mozart G Major Violin Concerto is upbeat, elegant, and virtuosic. Wagner composed the Siegfried Idyll as a beautiful tone poem to surprise his wife for her birthday. And Prokofievâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Classical Symphony No. 1 is a tribute to the form, beauty, and simplicity of the classical era. Concert Sponsors

Larry Dissmore Violin Soloist

4ICKETS s )NFO SPRINGFIELDMOSYMPHONY ORG

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LifeStyle&EntertainmentNews Movie Review: “The Best Man Holiday” by Lyle Foster Unite Contributing Writer

ence in this nation. The unexpected box office success and the acclaim of films such as I sometimes make cyniFruitvale Station, The Butler cal comments not to be a wet and 12 Years a Slave have blanket but to make sure that attracted mixed audiences and we don't drink the Kool-Aid or sparked very tough conversaleave our brains at the concestions and shared some compelsion stand.....so some comments ling messages. However, don't I make are to chalhesitate to tell me how lenge us to demand much you laughed at the best movies that Madea or what made we can get to appeal you fall out your seat! to our interests and One of the most to provide top-notch recent movies that entertainment. So..... was entertaining and I am probably going to shared some quality Lyle Foster take a pass on Madea acting was Best Man at Christmas......sure I Holiday. Of course will probably check it out over diehard fans know that this the Christmas break on a night was a Part 11 to the original when I just want to laugh or film that was shown 15 years there is not too much else to ago. The original film was in do. Of course Black Nativity 1999 and called The Best Man. is out as well even though its Fortunately the same cast was run wasn't too long.....you can available to film the sequel still catch it at the second run which had a highly successful theaters. But as I have been box office run recently and if saying throughout the year..... you didn't see it you can still get it is great seeing so many qualit on Red Box. Going back to ity movies out and the increase my opening statement the film in films that capture the story was made for 17 million which of the African-American experiunfortunately is not a lot for

men and women for this genre today's Hollywood projects.... with Taye Diggs, Terrence and the box office return is Howard, Morris Chestnut, sweet and real profitable. I Monica Calhoun, Sanaa Lathan don't want to see black themed and Nia Long. So from the start movies short changed from the it's hard to go wrong with this budget side.....because direccrew. Throw in a few cute kids, tors and producers feel like some recall to give them some the first film and good looking a bit of a story leads, one church line and you scene and some have the beginlaughs and it's a nings of a movie. proven success. I have to admit For example, I laughed quite even though a bit and I loved I liked Best the musical numMan Holiday ber among the I couldn't help men....it was a but notice the highlight. The majority of the energy among movie was filmed the ladies was in the manpredictable in a sion residence 2013 Universal Pictures lot of ways but of the reunion. still it can be entertaining when This was very similar to Tyler Perry's first films which all were done by some sisters who know how to maximize every scene in a house or two to save on the and time their moves just right. expense but then bring in great Since it is a sequel it helps returns. Yes, a good business move but don't short change the to have seen the first film but if you haven't you can still enjoy audience. the film and there are enough The cast of Best Man includes some of the hottest continued on page 9

Food Review: Going South for the Winter! —Las Margaritas

by Lyle Foster Unite Contributing Writer

Well in spite of the holidays which I will share about next month I am feeling cold because the hawk has come in with a vengeance. And one sure way to warm up in the coldest of nights is with the flavor of hot and spicy! And that would sound like

Mexican! Have you ever felt like after you have eaten all of the holiday food and the soul cuisine that you need to take a break and maybe even break out of the mold? Well it’s no secret that Mexican restaurants have a firm grip on the restaurant scene and they are hitting the local market with a big splash!

Faithful readers of this column will recall that I am not a consummate devourer of this cuisine but I will venture out from time to time . The occasion of my no. 1 son coming to visit recently was an excellent time to play foodie while exposing him to the vibrant restaurant scent here! We decided to check out

Las Margaritas on Glenstone right before you get to Chestnut Expwy ( 935 N. Glenstone). In case you haven’t noticed there is a plethora of Mexican cuisine on this corner so it is every foodie for themself! Let’s say we won’t review the beverages as what happens on Glenstone stays on Glenstone! continued on page 9

Multicultural Festival continued from page 1

Pkwy. We also present over 50 exhibitors who share information about employment and educational opportunities, banking services, healthcare and other quality-of-life local and regional resources. Our goal is to provide our exhibitors and sponsors access to a uniquely diverse segment of our

Diversity

continued from page 1 the DDI’s mission: to promote, achieve, advance and sustain the Missouri State University Promise commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by enhancing employee capabilities and competencies through diversity research, professional development, collaboration, and integrative activities and practices. Our vision is to: be valued and recognized by University and community stakeholders for the development and delivery of strategic programs and resources that institutionalizes means to meet individual, unit and organizational needs for diversity enhancement, education and outcomes. I invite you to explore the DDI by visiting our website at http://diversity.missouristate.edu/. There you can gain access to our major units and discover our innovative approaches to diversity education and services. You will also learn about our philosophy and approaches to heritage programs, multicultural education, and community resources. We share news about regional and national events and there’s even a toolkit loaded with stuff from all over the world to help

community not easily captured in one setting. For our visitors and performers — our hope is that they will come away with a broadened understanding of the diverse resources and opportunities that are available in our great American Heartland. The festival is open to everyone. Admission is free and there is free parking in the multilevel parking garage behind the hall.

Hitched & Happy is for all couples married, engaged, or seriously dating. This isn't therapy, but is a fun,

you deal with your own diversity-related problems! In the coming months, expect to hear news about our work that impacts the Springfield community. Look for opportunities to take part in programs, studies and forums designed to give you a voice in matters that affect you. I believe that partnering with Unite ignites a fresh sense of involvement in the growth and change of our city’s schools, businesses, churches and people. We seek to serve our community, and this column will tell you how to participate. Thank you, Unite! Welcome to the DDI Community Column. Let’s integrate, collaborate and elevate... together! Ken Coopwood, Sr., Ph.D. – “Dr. Coop” Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion at Missouri State University

skills-based program to learn useful communication, conflict management, and problem-solving skills. Register online at OperationUs.org or call 417.823.3469

City of Springfield project bids Open for business – Open to all The City of Springfield Division of Purchases welcomes all contractors and vendors to participate in the City’s bid opportunities for providing needed supplies, equipment, and services to the City. Information and notification about bidding is open to all, and there is never a charge. To view or download all current documents for bidding opportunities with the Division of Purchases, please go to our website at: Springfieldmo.gov/purchasing, and click on ‘Bid Processing Center.’

Advertise In The Unite Publication

Contractors, consultants and other types of vendors may also sign up to receive notifications of the City’s future bid opportunities based on the type of services they provide. This service can be found by clicking on ‘Bid Notification Service’ on the Purchasing website. There is a fee (for use of a third party notification service).

Call: (417) 864-7444

The City’s Department of Public Works also uses the City website to let contractors know about upcoming construction projects. Go to Springfieldmo.gov/departments/publicworks and look for the ‘Notices To Contractors’ box. The links will direct you to a virtual plans room for more information on projects.

The most effective choice when you need to reach Springfield's diverse community.

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A Directory of free or low cost Business Assistance Minorities In Business Monthly Networking Meeting 417.861-0760 Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce www.spfldchamber.com 417.862.5567 Small Business Administration (SBA) www.sba.gov 417.890.8501 Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) www.score.org 417.837.2619 Drury University - Breech Center / Student in Free Enterprise www.drury.edu 417.873.7243 Ozarks Technical Community College www.otc.edu 417.895.7158 The Library Center Business Reference thelibrary.springfield.missouri.org 417.874.8110

Small Business & Technology Development Center

sbtdc.missouristate.edu 417.836.5685 • Loan assistance • Financial analysis • Business planning • Marketing products • Trademark searches • Training seminars (business planning, business valuation, business management, finance, human resources, QuickBooks, marketing and international trade)

The MoneySection Easy Video Tutorials on Business Planning by Tim Berry Founder and Chairman of Palo Alto Software and bplans.com I’d like to call your attention to a series of video tutorials I did not that long ago as a donation to this community. They are all here and I’d like you to be aware of them. They are organized into modules, 2-10 minutes each. You can pick and choose and jump around, or run through them in the original order. They are here as a resource for you. (Note: the text in bold here highlights links to the videos) Introduction and orientation. 2 minutes 13 seconds (2:13). What’s planning, why do you care, why the planning is more important than the plan. Planning is modular. 1:26.

Think of your business plan as a matter of blocks, like interrelated pieces. You don’t have to have the whole block structure done before you take any next steps. Start your blocks where you like. Form follows function. 4:45. Keep it short and simple in the beginning, and grow it as you grow your business. It might be projections plus slides, bullet points, or whatever serves the business need. Planning is management. 1:20. It’s not a document, it’s planning process, which is about steering your company. Goals, metrics, milestones, review and revise. Strategy. 8:04. Strategy is focus. Focus your business offering to your target market, and use planning to develop and manage priorities and steps.

Strategy is the heart. Flesh and bones. 10:25. About the plan document itself. Milestones, metrics, responsibilities, and getting things done. Sales forecast. This one is so important – and causes so much fear and doubt – that it’s not a single video, but three of them. The first is 4:51, second 3:10, and third is 9:27. I promise you, sales forecasting is far easier than you fear. Anybody who can run a business can do it. Dress and grow your business plan. 12:15. As your company grows, your planning grows. As you grow, if you add people to your team, then you want to bring them into the process and make sure you’re on the same page. You bring in skills. The business gets more complex as continued on page 7

Investigating a Franchise Opportunity: How a Little Detective Work and the Law can Help How do you know when you’ve found the right franchise for you? Maria Anton (www.growbizmedia.com*) is an expert in this area. She has outlined 10 Signs of a Great Franchise Opportunity* that include the following vital key indicators that will help you know when you’ve found the right franchise: 1. Industry growth 2. Unit growth 3. Strong support from the franchisor 4. Good management 5. Marketing and advertising support

6. Satisfied franchisees 7. Adequate earnings 8. Sound financial statements 9. Honesty 10. A good fit To determine how your chosen franchise stacks up against this list you’ll need to do some detective work. The franchise sector is regulated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and, in light of this, the government provides some useful resources and advice designed to help prospective franchisees evaluate and buy a franchise, while avoiding common scams.

Below is a summary of what the law requires to help you assess a franchise opportunity, as well as steps you can take yourself to assess a franchise opportunity: Detailed Disclosure Document - It’s the Law! As a general rule, the government requires that franchise owners (the franchiser) provide you with specific information so that you can make an informed decision - this is known as the Federal Trade Commission's Franchise and Business Opportunity Rule. continued on page 7

Video Tutorials

continued from page 6 sophisticated. The formal business plan document. This is another with three videos: 5:39, 8:48, and 2:26. How you can fine-tune your plan to

Franchise Opp

continued from page 6 Key to this rule is the responsibility of franchisers to provide potential franchisees with a 'Detailed Disclosure Document' during the pre-sale stage. This is an essential piece of information that can provide valuable insight into your chosen franchise. • The detailed disclosure is required to contain the following: Contact information for at least 10 previous purchasers in your area • An audited financial statement • Executive profile information • A true view of the business start up and maintenance costs • An outline of respective franchisee and franchiser responsibilities The document must be provided at least 10 business days before you pay any money or legally commit yourself to a purchase. If you have any doubts about whether a franchise owner is being less than forthcoming in sharing this information, the FTC provides a hotline for you to call: 1-877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357). Do Your Own Investigative Work to Assess a Franchise Opportunity The law can help keep a franchiser honest, but there are some steps you can take on your own to assess a particular franchise opportunity. Put the Disclosure Document to Work for You - Once you’ve received the disclosure document from the franchise owner read through it and follow up with all the contacts and references that have been provided. It’s best to

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appeal to specific needs of raising investment, applying for a loan, working with partners, etc. I went through these recently and I think all of it still applies. And it’s all free, with no selling, on this site.

interview franchisees in person. Ask about their experiences and compare their responses to the statements in the disclosure document. Do the Potential Earnings Figures Stack Up? - Investigate whether claims about your potential earnings are genuine. You can do this by asking for a copy of the basis for these claims in writing. Again, this is something you can also gauge when you talk to existing franchisees. Check out Success Stories - The franchiser must tell you (in writing) the number and percentage of owners who been as successful as they claim you will be. Compare Opportunities - As with all business ventures, shop around. There are many online resources that offer to connect you with available franchise opportunities but you may want to check out the governmentproduced and authorized Franchise Opportunity Handbook* (published by the Department of Commerce), which lists companies that provide franchise opportunities. Don’t Give in to Sales Pressure - The FTC requires that a seller must wait at least 10 business days after giving you the required documents before accepting payment or a signed agreement. Compare the Contract to the Verbal Sales Pitch - Don’t sign any contract that doesn’t mirror the promises that have been made to you at the pre-sale pitch. Get more information about evaluating franchise opportunities as well as your legal rights continued on page 9

African American Community Organizations Directory Mark A. Dixon Bartley-Decatur Neighborhood Center 918 E. Calhoun Springfield, MO 65802 417-719-4300 www.bartley-decatur.org

Lynette Adams, Worthy Matron Missouri Jurisdiction PHA Order Of Eastern Star Greater Truth Chapter #88 P.O. Box 8804 Springfield, MO 65801 417-866-6878

American Legion Post Norvel Stafford 1339 E. Division St Springfield, MO 65803 417-862-9123

Calvin L. Allen, Exec. Director Springfield Community Center- Family Achievement Academy 911 E. Division St Springfield, MO 65803 417-866-4359

Deidra England, President Ladies Civic League Provides scholarships for youth P. O. Box 8296 Springfield, MO 65801 417-887-7440 Robert Looney, Ozarks Golf Club, Inc Spfld. Community Center 618 N. Benton Springfield, MO 65806 Sherman Avenue Project Committee, Inc. Housing Org. 1228 N. Sherman Springfield, MO 65802 417-865-1203 W.M. Herman Burkett, Jr. Prince Hall Masons Truth Lodge #151 P.O. Box 8063 Springfield, MO 65801 417-890-5180 Wesley Pratt The Gathering A Community Action Group For more information call 417-987-7809 Shelia Burton, President Lincoln Memorial Cemetery Board, Inc. P.O. Box 9282 Springfield, MO 65801 417-877-0668 Dennis Davis Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Springfield Alumni P.O. Box 6287 Springfield, MO 65801-6287 417-496-7365

Cheryl Clay, President Springfield Branch N.A.A.C.P. P.O. Box 8983 Springfield, MO 65801 Meetings are every third Saturday of the month from 1:30-2:30 p.m. 417-873-6386 Flora (Pat) Looney, President Our Night Out Social & Charitable Org. 417-866-2387 James Pike, President Springfield Reunion Club Organizes the Annual Park Day/ Reunion Weekend 1447 N. Hampton Springfield, MO 65802 417-869-0183 Meeting every first Monday Willie Carter, Director Victory Circle Peer Support Inc 2101 W. Chestnut Expwy Springfield, MO 65802 417-894-0188 Support group for men in recovery Samuel G. Knox Unite of SWMO, Inc. Publishes the Unite Publication; presenters of the Annual Springfield Multicultural Festival 2101 W. Chestnut Expwy. Springfield, MO 65802 Phone: 417-864-7444 unitepublication@yahoo.com www.unitenewsonline.org

If you are a part of a Springfield African American Community Organization, we want to hear from you. Please send the name of your organization, address, phone number and a contact person to Unite., P. O. Box 1745, Springfield, MO 65801