May 2019 Volume 29/ Number 5 • A Monthly Publication by Unite of Southwest Missouri, Inc • www.unitenewsonline.org
UNITE.
Congratulations! Springfield, MO 2019 High School Graduates
Building Empowering Connections In Our Diverse Community
MSU Hires Amaka Agugua-Hamilton to Lead Lady Bears
Minorities In Business recognizes two local Business Owners at banquet
Coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton
H. Wes Pratt and Carl Davis
H. Wes Pratt and Nick Cunningham
See Stor y on page 4
Hamilton is the first African-American female head coach for any sport at MSU Springfield, MO— Missouri State University has selected Amaka Agugua-Hamilton (Uhmah-kuh Uh-goo-gwa) to be its eighth head women’s basketball coach. Agugua-Hamilton was formally introduced at a 3 p.m. press conference on Wednesday, April 17, in the Prime Overtime Club inside JQH Arena, and was
unanimously approved by the Missouri State University Board of Governors early Wednesday morning after an extensive national search. The first African-American female head coach for any sport at Missouri State, Agugua-Hamilton, 36, is an 18-year veteran of Division I women’s basketball, including four seasons as a player at Hofstra and four coaching stops, most recently on the staff of Michigan State for the past six seasons, the last four as Associate Head Coach. “I am excited to welcome Coach Mox to Missouri State University and know she will build on the good work that has gone on before to create an even
2019 ArtsFest May 4th & 5th on Walnut St See stor y on page 2
stronger women’s basketball program at the University,” said Missouri State President Clif Smart. “I commend Kyle Moats and the search committee for their good work.” During an impressive six-year stint at Michigan State, Coach Mox helped the Spartans to four seasons with
L to R: Clif Smart, Amaka Hamilton, and Kyle Moats
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Cheryl Brown Henderson To Address Drury Graduating Class Of 2019 See stor y on page 11