2022 December Unite

SEEKING Minority & Women Contractors

Full Time and Part Time Positions Available

SilverDollarCity.com/Careers

417.338.8122

All Specialties of licensed and insured contractors are encouraged to participate in the City of Springfield’s “HUD” financed Housing Rehabilitation Projects.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Veterans

We welcome

One Door

Unite Springfield Feb issue.indd 1

• General Contractors

1/15/19 11:13 AM

• Sub-contractors covering all residential building trades

Questions? Call(417) 864-1031

Applications are available at: City of Springfield, Planning & Development Dept.

Neighborhood Conservation Office 840 N. Boonville, Springfield, MO

Are you without a home, at risk of becoming homeless, do not have a safe stable place to stay or need affordable housing, call 417-225-7499 or visit the Springfield Affordable Housing Center at 300 E. Central, Springfield.

Making Sense of Money

February 5, 12, 19 and 26 –(Basic Budgeting Series) Free interactive class to learn how to manage money better. Registration is required and you must attend all four sessions. Contact 417-888-2020, ext. 150 or register online at http://www. cpozarks.org/financial-literacy/.

Letter to the Editor

Continued from Page 7 to being truly inclusive. Nevertheless, I dream of an inclusive society with mutual respect: something that Americans can be proud of. Above all, I love because of this revelation. “Disagreement does not equal hate.”

Holiday time for Sadie means golden gelt sparkling under the Christmas tree and candy canes hanging on the 8 menorah branches. She is a mix of two traditions! This book is a joyful celebration of blended families.

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 non-discrimination.

You must be income eligible to qualify.

For rental, call Marti Fewell. 417-864-1039

For home ownership, call LeeAnn Camey, 417-888-2020

Whether you are looking for a job with a great company, or have a product or service to sell, City Utilities wants to get connected to you. Get Connected to Us.

Designed By: Audrey Welhoff

Volume 32, Number 12

MANAGEMENT

MANAGING EDITOR & PRESIDENT, Samuel G. Knox ASSOCIATE EDITOR, Tyra K Knox

CONTENT

CONTRIBUTING WRITER, Melesha Bailey

CONTRIBUTING WRITER, Jacqueline Jadidian

CONTRIBUTING WRITER, Gwen Marshall

CONTRIBUTING WRITER, Kathleen O'Dell

CONTRIBUTING WRITER, Darline Mabins

CONTRIBUTING WRITER, Heather Noggle

It is indeed the most wonderful time of the year. In this issue, Dominique Calloway, who is the co-founder of the Mosaic Arts Collective teams, up with the Springfield Contemporary Theater on the award winning musical production, The Color Purple. She talks about how rare it is to see stories about, told by, illustrated, or directed by people of color and other marginalized groups.

Gwen Marshall is recognized at a ceremony for 35 years of service with Springfield Public Schools. Local black business owner tries to open the eyes of the public to the real and negative affects of the nation-wide opioid epidemic.

Here’s to a bright New Year and a fond farewell to the old; here’s to the things that are yet to come, and to the memories that we hold. Wishing you a happy, healthy New Year. May the New Year bless you with health, wealth, and happiness.

As always, if you have news or information you would like us to consider writing about, email or give us a call. Your news leads and stories are always welcomed.

We hope you enjoy our December issue and find an empowering way to celebrate the holiday season.

Best, Samuel G. Knox President & Managing Editor www.unitenewsonline.org unitepublication@yahoo.com

CREATIVE TEAM

GRAPHIC DESIGN, Bradley Knox

WEB DEVELOPER, Christopher Palma GRAPHIC DESIGN, Axela Frost

The Unite. publication is a monthly newspaper published by Unite of Southwest Missouri, Inc. a 501(c)(3) non-profit community organization. Our goal is to promote a broader understanding and appreciation of the African American talent, community resources, and opportunities available in the Springfield/Greene County area.

Distribution of Unite. is by free circulation at various locations. You may, subscribe and have a copy delivered by mail to your home or office by writing to UniteNews, P. O. Box 1745, Springfield, Missouri 65801. For a one-year subscription, please send $25.00 for postage and handling.

Those wishing to make a contribution or become a monthly sponsor should direct correspondence to the same address. Reader’s comments and questions are welcomed. The opinions expressed in these pages do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite. of Southwest Missouri, Inc. The UniteNews Publication in accepting advertising in this publication, makes no independent investigation concerning the services of products advertised and neither endorses nor recommends the same and assumes no liability therefore.

For more information, you can contact us at our business office at (417) 864-7444. Email: unitepublication@yahoo.com

The Unite News Publication is published by Unite of Southwest Missouri, Inc. From

Celebrating the holidays from a worldview

Weaving the rich tapestry of other cultures and global traditions into the fabric of your own holiday season. By Gwen Marshall

Springfield, MO—The holidays are a wonderful time to come together to share and celebrate traditions, from the things that connect us to the things that make us different. As we celebrate we need to provide our children with opportunities to broaden their worldview and deepen their understanding of other cultures and ideas. Most of us have our own holiday customs, traditions, and beliefs – making the holiday season the perfect time for parents to encourage their children to celebrate diversity and embrace multiculturalism.

Winter break is a perfect time to introduce some of the traditions that make the season bright. Sharing cultural and global traditions with your children is an excellent way to bring a new level of understanding, provide them with the opportunity to ask questions, and help them understand the similarities that exist between different cultures. It might take you out of your comfort zone but it will be worth the effort. You might be inspired to create your own family holiday.

To help you enrich this joyous time of year, here are a few ways you can weave the rich tapestry of other cultures and global traditions into the fabric of your own holiday celebrations just by taking some time to research the origins of each:

• Hanukkah is the Jewish eight-

Gwen Marshall is recognized for 35 years of service

Gwen Marshall is recognized by Springfield Public Schools (SPS) for 35 years of service at the October School Board meeting. Since joining SPS, Ms. Marshall has worked in numerous positions throughout the school district, including early jobs as a lunchroom aide and special education aide. Her ultimate goal was always to become a teacher. While raising her own children, she took college classes as time permitted and was successful in earning her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Drury University. Now, she supports students and staff districtwide by championing equity and diversity efforts.

day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers, and fried foods.

• St. Lucia Day honors a saint on December 13 in Sweden. Many girls dress up as “Lucia brides” in long white gowns with red sashes, and a wreath of burning candles on their heads.

• Winter Solstice occurs on or around December 21 and is the

shortest day of the year. People all over the world mark the occasion with celebrations and festivals.

• Kwanzaa means “First Fruits” and takes place from December 26 to January 1. The holiday is based on ancient African harvest festivals, it celebrates family life, unity and the lighting of the kinara (candle stand) each night.

• Chinese New Year falls between January 21 and February 20 each

year and is an important traditional Chinese holiday that celebrates the beginning of the Lunar calendar.

• Los Posadas means “the inns” and is celebrated as part of Christmas in Mexico and throughout Latin America and by many Hispanic Americans. The holiday includes a reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey with a

In the Photo from LtoR: Dr Grenita Lathan, Gwen Marshall and Dr Denise Fredrick.

People In The News

These six African American leaders are in the news for being chosen to be on the Biz 100 list. The Biz 100 is selected by Biz 417’s editors, publisher and advisory board members. They evaluate current and perpective nominees based on their individual business success, their impact on the local business community and their community involvment this year. For more info or to tell them who they missed, visit biz417.com.nominate.

MSU Student works to Build the SGF Community

Springfield, MO— Angela Duran is the C-Street CID Coordinator at the Downtown Springfield Association. While providing administrative support for both the C-Street CID Board and Better Block SGF Board, she focuses on communications, project management, and marketing efforts.

Since her freshman year at MSU, Duran has been involved in the student organi-

zation, Missouri State University Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter. Duran has served as chapter president for the last three years. Since joining, she has dedicated close to 200 volunteer hours helping people in the community.

“As a student organization, we strive to volunteer twice a month on Saturdays,” said Duran, who is a community and regional planning major.

Duran also volunteers with Eden Village (a permanent supportive housing community for the chronically homeless), street cleanups, local food pantries, and other neighborhood revitalization projects.

Jazzy Christmas Concert to iPhone Class for Seniors... all at the Library

We’ve got a little bit of the holidays and a little bit of new year fun planned at The Library this month.

Enjoy a Christmas concert with The Wings of Swing at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, in the Library Center auditorium. The local jazz legends will get your holiday season swinging. •••

The Schweitzer Brentwood Branch returns with the popular iPhone Class for Seniors from 10 a.m.-noon on Thursday, Dec. 22 and Jan. 12. If you’re an older adult who would like to do more with your iPhone or iPad, join a free class by veteran instructor Julie Mahaffey. Registration is not required.

•••

For the kids, we’ll have a Noon Year’s Eve Party from 11:15 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Dec. 31, for infants-age 6 in the Library Station Story Hour Room. Kids can help us count down to New Year’s at this Racing to Read Storytime featuring stories, songs, crafts and more. Older siblings are welcome to join the fun.

Jump to Thursday, Jan. 5, and we’ve got the Great Storybook Adventure at 10 a.m. for infants-age 6 in the Midtown Carnegie Branch Children’s Department. Our storybook characters are running loose in the library! We’ll share a fun book at the first storytime of each month. Then, join us anytime that month in the Children’s Department to search for those beloved characters.

•••

Older kids in grades 6-12 will enjoy making Backpack Tags or Keychains on Tuesday, Jan. 10, from 10 a.m.-noon in the Maker Space of the Midtown Carnegie Branch. You can customize a keychain or backpack tag with your name, school mascot or other image using the Glowforge Laser Engraver. Register beginning Dec. 27 at 417-837-5011.

•••

Spring planting is far off, but adults can satisfy the urge at Indoor Gardening, Tower Gardens and Microgreens from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14, in the Midtown Carnegie Branch upstairs meeting room. We’ll learn to grow our own food with a tower garden and grow nutrient-dense microgreens in a short time. (The elevator from the basement to the 2nd floor is not operational. Please call two weeks before a program for special accommodation.) Registration starts January 3; call 417-862-0135.

Kathleen O’Dell is the community relations director of the Springfield-Greene County Library District. She can be reached at kathleeno@thelibrary.org.

Angela Duran

Dr. Lyle Foster

John Oke-Thomas

Francine Pratt

Dana Ford

Marco Denis

Dr. Grenita Lathan

Spotlight on Kickapoo High School Student Athlete, Kylan Mabins

—By Unite News Contributing Writer

Springfield, MO—Kickapoo High School marked their second winning football season at 7-2 for the regular season of 2022. With an offense that they haven’t seen in a number of years, which didn’t’ allow a single passing touchdown in the regular season play. This team was favored to win against Lee Summit West High school in the playoffs. Unfortunately, this was a playoff game they were not able to closeout. This loss was one area that Kylan Mabins pointed out as a goal for the coming year. This month I had the opportunity to catch up with Kickapoo Highschool’s starting Quarterback Kylan Mabins. Coming off what many are calling a great year for him, I wanted to get his perspective and learn about how he ended up in football.

“How did you get started in sports?”

I started playing in sports in elementary school both basketball and football. I never played flag football and didn’t start off at the quarterback position. I played both sports because the school I went to didn’t have football. So, I played for 2 years of football and decided to focus more on basketball till middle school. In 7th grade I decide to give football a try again. I trained the summer before tryouts (2 days a week). I tried out and got the job as quarterback. After 7th grade I decided I really liked football. I couldn’t practice year around because basketball was year-round. I was on a travel team for basketball and played during the school year. My freshman year of high school my parents gave me an option

to focus on one sport. I decided to focus on football year-round. I haven’t looked back since.

If you had to pick one player you would like to emulate, which would it be?

Joe Burrow. He’s smart poised in the pocket and doesn’t panic. Defense doesn’t speed him up or panic him. He’s very accurate. Accuracy is what’s most important if you want to play the game beyond high school.

What do you think about his fashion sense?

Fly, for sure. How do you think you did this season?

Think I could have done better. I ended up with 68% completion percentage and my goal was 85 for the year. Losing the first game in the playoffs was demoralizing. Goal is to get better next year to get over that hump.

How do you keep yourself motivated?

I don’t really have to because my motor is always running. I’m not always satisfied; mediocrity is a fate that I don’t want.

Biggest challenge as a QB?

When the team doesn’t do well, we start pointing the finger, instead of building/picking each other up. When we start to point fingers is when we start to split. We need to be a unified force(team) in the coming year to do better.

Goal after high school?

To play for a Power 5 division 1 school. I’ve shown flashes of it this year. If I can get more video of throwing and great numbers. I think it’s an achievable goal. What does off season look like for you?

Training. Weights and working with my throwing coach on mechanics.

Rapid Fire Questions: Pizza or hamburger? Pizza

What’s something most people don’t know about you? I love the Beatles

Beach or Mountain vacation?

Neither. I don’t like sand or heights.

Cupid shuffle or electric slide?

I don’t know either of those.

Favorite Musician? Drake

Kylan Mabins, #3, Kickapoo High School Quarterback

Springfield, MO—Gloria Hereford says November 17, 2011 changed her life forever. “Losing my mother has been the worst pain I have ever endured. This year, I feel like my mother felt it was time for me to have some positivity on this day. What are the odds of an event like the Taste of Ozarks falling on what has been the hardest day for me the past 11 years. And to top it off by winning 2 out of 3 awards.”

Mama G’s Kitchen-Lovely Creations won the 2022 Taste of the Ozqrks, Best Entree Award and People’s Choice Award held at the Oasis Hotel & Convention Center. Gloria said she is beyond excited & thankful for all of the support. “Ya’ll better come experience the ‘taste of lovely”!!!

All proceeds from this signa-

ture event support local matches who benefit from services provided by Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks.

Holiday Worldviews

continued from page 4 procession to neighbor’s homes for a fiesta and lighting luminarias. The Holidays are here with all of our various traditions that are filled with light, so let us embrace our cultural differences and bring some joy to the world.

3

30 & January 2

Gloria Hereford, owner of Mama G’s Kitchen - Lovely Creations

Opioid Epidemic Overflows into Springfield community

By Edgar “Rock” Hagens

Springfield, MO—Edgar “Rock” Hagens, a local business owner is trying to open the public eyes to the realness of the opioid epidemic in our community. This national public health crisis is responsible for more than 2000 overdose deaths in the state of Missouri alone. Last year, according to the latest information from the Center for Disease Control, this is a 12% increase from the year before. The CDC also estimates that fentanyl overdoses grew 26% nationwide and are the primary driver of drug overdose deaths. Rock is fully aware of the deadly consequence of this crisis as he lost not one, but two children to opioid overdoses.

Hagens has lived the life. He was a 25-year drug user. This addictive life sent him to prison 4 times from 19761996. Now, twenty-two years clean, Rock is using his experiences to help others travel a clean path. Rock runs the Victory Circle Recovery House. His recovery house offers weekly life skill meetings with the members of the house that are in the transition back into life from prison. Rock is also a volunteer in the prison system, support groups, and treatment houses in the area. He has been telling his powerful, yet tragic story of a life of drugs, but the gift of being given another chance can change your entire life.

Giving people this chance at life is what Rock’s focus is. He wants those that need inpatient treatment to have a place to go immediately when they know they need help or when they lapse and are struggling to get back to the right path. One moment could mean life or death. The one moment may be the only chance they have and sadly, they are being turned away due to a lack of services available. In our area, there seems to be only one inpatient facility to support the whole

community. From his experience in helping hundreds of people get help, he finds that the wait times are into weeks if they can even get into the facility at all, As a recovering addict knows, this is unacceptable. But worse than unacceptable, it could be deadly.

On September 23, 2022, Senator Roy Blunt announced that Missouri would receive $25.3 million from the Biden Cures Act. The US Department of Health and Human Services awarded the money to address and support the opioid crisis that floods our country. This grant program provides funding to increase access to treatment, remove barriers to interventions, and expand support services such as 24/7 opioid treatment programs. Hagens begs you to fight to get the treatment you seek by making the public aware that the funds are out there. His hope is to ultimately encourage more treatment facilities to open in the Springfield area to support the critical need that is overflowing in our community. His hope is to not only save lives but to pull someone from the evil grip of that life so they too will use their story to make a difference in another person’s life.

Edgar “Rock” Hagens holding photos of his two childen lost to opioid overdoses

Cyber Security meets Burton Kelso

By Heather Nogle Unite News Contributing Writer

Burton Kelso will tell you all about technology and life. He’ll even travel to Springfield from his native KC home to do it or share a quick phone call and some sage advice. If you search for Burton Kelso and OzarksFirst, you’ll be able to watch a sample from 2021.

Burton and I met in November at the Joplin MO Tech Summit and discussed our common technology interest. He was kind enough to attend my session on secure computer use for non-technical people.  We

both got our “starts” with computer classes outside of normal school and ultimately on the Commodore 64 home computers with the help of some future-thinking parents about how important computers would be.

He’s fascinating - a business owner in the “problem solving for people with computers” space of IT Support for both businesses and individuals.

In 1993, Burton Kelso founded Integral, his computer support

company. There are a large number of companies operating in the IT Support space, what Burton calls “break, fix, and manage.” Burton differentiates his work by intentionally building a full brand.  “IT companies are horrible at marketing.” By speaking and writing about insights gained regarding the work he does and the effects of a fully Internet connected world on people and their families, Burton has built a national following.  Us-

ing that following, he seeks to boost understanding of our modern world because we know, like, and trust him. Reading into the brand and my experience learning about Burton himself, the words “service first” come to mind.

Kelso labels himself as “not a tech person” but instead as a go-getter who receives fulfillment helping people with technology.  “Everyone struggles with it. Changes in the technology field happen so quickly.”

The work is to decipher “the complicated  mess that tech is” so that people can focus on bettering their

Burton Kelso

Wellness News

Celebrate You By Loving You

When was the last time you let your mind wander and thought about what a miraculous creature you were?

Springfield, MO—Do you know you we created to do something that impacts your family, community, and the world? You are so unique, with so many gifts and talents. The world is at your fingertips, and you can do and be whatever your mind can think.

Celebrate YOU! Self Celebration is celebrating the person you are now, not your future self or not the person you wish you could be. It is about accepting, encouraging, and empowering yourself at this moment. And you can celebrate who you are anytime, anywhere, and for any reason. We love to post about something good that has happened in our lives for the world to see, but to celebrate you means you have to take the time to go inside and reflect on the awesomeness that is you. We have no problem cele-

by Melesha Bailey

brating other people, but when it comes to celebrating ourselves, we find it hard to acknowledge, feel and articulate our accomplishments and success with no negativity or excuses.

Why is that, and how can we change how we think about our lives? A friend told me we must “adjust the mirror of the reflection of our lives.”

Next time you are in the mirror, look deeply into your eyes. You are a reflection of power, strength, gentleness, love, and, most of all, you are a reflection of God. There’s a quote by David Icke that says, “When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Do you see the real you or what you have been conditioned to believe? Now go to a mirror and stay there a while, staring at your face, into your eyes, nose,

Holiday Gathering & Aging Family

Members

The holiday season is a great time of bringing families together.

by Jacqueline Jadidian

Springfield, MO—With many families that have children and siblings that live out-of-state or not nearby, the holiday season is a great time of bringing families together. It is also a nice time to check-in with aging family members and notice if they need more help in the home or moving into

a senior community. Discussing senior care options with aging family members can be uncomfortable, especially initiating the conversation. It can be more difficult if our aging family members are not easy to discuss these types of conversations, especially if they get easily defensive, are strong-

cheeks, lips, chin, and everything you see. Now tell yourself, “ I love me,” at least 10x. Say it until you can look back at yourself with a smile and as the feelings emerge from the depth of your heart and soul that you love you. Then, as you look at the mirror reflection, tell yourself five things you love about yourself. It’s a powerful yet challenging assignment that I often share “you must first love yourself unconditionally.” You

headed and/or in denial. There are quite a few indicators that can help you decide if it’s time to initiate the conversation with the aging family member(s). If you notice more than one of these indicators, it would be a good time to have a family discussion. Sometimes a family meeting with the person(s) makes it more believable for them rather than initiating

may not internalize the words or the feelings the first few times, but your words have power, and the more you say the words, you will begin to believe them and act on the love you have for yourself. As we approach a new year, this is the perfect time to fall in love with yourself as never before. When you can do that, you will be a better partner, parent, employee, business owner, and community worker and be able to do all the beautiful things you were created to do with ease. Five things you can do every day to celebrate you.

1. Say positive things about yourself daily. We can be so hard on ourselves, which can reflect negatively. Use your words to empower you.

2. Take a break. One of the best ways to show your mind and body that you love them is to take a break. Read a book, go for a walk, or take a nap. It is so

this discussion on your own, if applicable.

Here is a brief list of indicators that assistance is needed in the home or it’s time to move into a senior living community:

1. Medications and/or insulin are not being taken as prescribed or refilled appropriately, they can’t recall when they took their medication, medications are

Health Coach, Melesha Bailey

Jacqueline Jadidian

Prevention

Celebrating You

Continued from page 10

continued from page 10

refreshing to take a few moments for yourself.

Here are some easy things you can do NOW to help prevent lifestyle diseases:

3. Add something to your everyday routine that makes you happy. It will improve your mental health, give you a fresh outlook on your day, give you more energy and increase your productivity.

1. Choosing a diet consisting of whole, unrefined plants and minimally processed foods. Eating more plant-based helps prevent heart disease and cancer risk.

4. Make yourself a “Love” playlist of all the songs that make you happy.

5. Treat yourself. It doesn’t have to be a special occasion.

2. Physical activity and movement help all your body’s internal organs and mind. Most experts recommend that a consistent 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five days a week will make a significant difference.

Holiday gatherings

continued from page 10

being found on the floor or lying

3. Good sleep is essential. Aim to get seven to nine hours of sleep each night. No matter how busy your life is, having a consist-

around the house.

ent bedtime and wake time, even on the weekends, helps.

2. Laundry is piling up, or there is no laundry for days. Wearing the same clothes for days and/or dirty clothes being hung back up.

4. Control stress. Chronic stress wrecks your immune system. Instead, try mindfulness, meditation, and gratitude to relieve stress to improve your physical and mental health.

3. Their residence is not being kept up with cleanliness, odor in the home, dishes piling up or dirty dishes being put in the cabinets/drawers, bathrooms not clean, personal hygiene not being kept up consistently, kitchen appliances not working and/or dirty, trash overflowing in house and/or trash receptacle not being picked up by a trash service, hoarding.

being cared for properly, or pets making messes in the home and owner is not able to clean up afterwards or notice.

health now before it’s too late. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

6. Lack of quantity of food or overflowing of unused food. Refrigerator and freezer bare or

5. Social connections, and loving people, keeps you emotionally and physically healthy. Although physical distancing is becoming a usual way of life, virtual relationships can be transformative.

Burton Kelso

continued from page 9

safeguard

too full.

7. Yard not being kept up with mowing and landscaping/pruning.

8. Missing doctor appointments or any other important appointments.

3. If you’re taking more than 4 prescribed medications, it would be best to schedule an appointment with your physician to review your med list and make sure they will not affect your cognition and balance.

4. Past-due bills, pile of unopened mail, money lying around the house, checkbook and/or credit cards not being managed correctly.

5. Pets, if applicable, are not

You don’t want to get sick if you can prevent it. Sickness affects your finances, time with your family, and the ability to do the things you love. Taking care of yourself NOW reduces the risk of diseases, disabilities, and death. Don’t be like millions of people, including myself, and turn a blind eye. Take care of your

Safety Is Key

Continued from page 10

businesses. “The Internet’s a game changer; it builds an equal playing field to work with. More people find out who you are.  They can Google you, and you can leverage that in your favor with your brand.”

Burton posts a weekly technology article on his blog and also offers a newsletter.

on a hot stove burner, electrical fire, while smoking dropping the cigarette on self and/or in home, smoke detectors not working properly, unsupervised lit candles, fireplace not having a

W h e n y o u ' r e r e a d y , w e ' l l b e h e r e .

FIND YOUR COVID-19 VACCINATION OPPORTUNITY AT

V A C C I N E 4 1 7 . C O M

Individuals receiving their primary series or first booster dose are automatically eligible for a $50 gift card at the time of vaccination

Second booster doses are not eligible for the gift card program

Individuals may not receive more than $150 in gift cards. Vaccines, booster doses and gift cards are available while supplies last

Two of my favorite articles on the blog are “How to Stay Safe Online and Defend Against Common Cyber Attacks” and “How to Tell If Your Smartphone Has Been Hacked.”

Follow what Burton’s doing to bridge the gap between computers and people” - at https://www.burtonkelso. com (the blog is here)  and his IT Tech Support company https://www.callintegralnow. com/.

4. Specific potential causes: loose rugs, shower floor or any bare floor getting wet, not wearing rubber sole or non-slip footwear, having to bend over or reach high for items, not using your assistive device correctly (walker or cane), bed level is too high or too low, not having your nightstand closer to your bed, stairs, the toilet is too low.

Sometimes things are inevitable and out of our control where we must move into a senior living community; however, there are practical ways, like the list above to prolong that decision.

Vaccine Clinic

“Taking care of yourself NOW reduces the risk of diseases, disabilities, and death.”

Entertainment News

The Color Purple:The Musical will play at the Fox Theatre

Springfield, MO—A triumphant musical adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of human fortitude, redemption, and love tells the story of a teenage Celie, torn from her beloved sister and forced into an abusive marriage. Over the next forty years, while Celie encounters repression, despair, and heartbreak, she also discovers hope in a group of friends who inspire her to find her voice, discover her beauty and change her life.

Nominated for 11 Tony Awards® and featuring a soaring score of jazz, gospel, blues and ragtime, The Color Purple brilliantly illuminates the lives of Southern Black women in breathtaking scope. Contains adult content. Southwest Missouri premiere.

The production will take place at the The Historic Fox Theatre, 157 Park Central Square, February 10-12, 16-19, 23-26, 2023 Evenings at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 2:00 pm

The UniteNews staff talks to director Dominique Calloway about herself and the production. Tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Dominique Calloway, but I go by Nki. I’m married with two wonderful children, 3 dogs, 5 cats, and 2 birds. Originally from St. Louis, MO until about 9 years old when my immediate family relocated to Springfield. My Grandmother was a jazz pianist, music teacher, and minister of music at her church. I grew up

singing in choir, watching musicals, teaching choir, and eventually participating in musicals myself. When I was 11 years old, I was cast in Annie at Springfield Little Theatre, where I played the orphan “Pepper” and I’ve been performing ever since. Tell me about the Mosaic Arts Collective?

Mosaic Arts Collective began in June of 2022. Keegan Winfield and I were two of three founders

of Black Arts Alliance, a local, black led group of artists working to create opportunity for marginalized talent in Southwest Missouri. During a partnership with Small Umbrella Theatre on the production of Once On This Island, we were introduced to Amanda Snead and soon learned we shared a common passion of diversifying the local arts landscape. Together, we formed Mosaic Arts Collec-

tive, a non-profit organization designed to provide individuals of marginalized groups and races the opportunity for equitable arts education and representation through performance opportunities. By engaging local resources and increasing accessibility, we hope to encourage and create more diversity within the regional arts community.

What is your connection to the Springfield Contemporary Theatre and the Color Purple production?

Springfield Contemporary Theatre used to be right next door to Springfield Little Theatre.  The first show I ever saw there was Broadway Rocks. I remember meeting Johnnie Angelia King afterwards and begging her to be my voice coach because her singing was just incredible. Before I moved back to St. Louis in 2010, I got the opportunity to do two productions with SCT; Speech and Debate and Striking 12. Somewhere between 2001 and 2009 I met Rick Dines, and although I cannot pin point the exact time, he’s been a dear friend ever since.

Once On This Island was my first time on the production side of a show, and I reached out to Rick quite a few times for guidance. During one of those conversations he proposed collaborating for a show. A few months later our two organizations decided to partner on the production of The Color Purple. The show is very

Dominique “Nki” Calloway

The Color Purple

continued from page 12

near and dear to my heart, and I’m so excited to have the opportunity to direct it with Amanda by my side as Associate Director and Choreographer. Keegan will also be curating an art show that will be held alongside the production. Why do you feel it is important to do a production like the Color Purple in the Springfield area?

I feel The Color Purple is an important story to tell because it features subjects and themes we as a community still struggle with. Faith, religion, race, sexuality, abuse, etc. The book, movie and now musical tell us a story

that is just as impactful as it was when it was originally written in 1982.

We at Mosaic Arts Collective also feel all stories deserve to be told correctly. While Springfield has a very strong arts community, it does lack diversity. Very rarely do we see stories about, told by, illustrated, or directed by people of color and other marginalized groups. Art is inspiration and for many years in our history it was the sole outlet for expression. Without proper representation and storytelling, we are doing a disservice to so many children who have yet to see art imitate themselves, and that is exactly what Mosaic Arts Collective is here to change.

Springfield Branch NAACP elect new Executive

Committee

Springfield, MO—The NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. It was founded February 12, 1909, and today this organization continues to fight for social justice for all Americans. There is no question that with the level of racism, voter suppression, criminal justice issues and civil rights challenges, an organization like the NAACP is needed more now than ever before.

NAACP Springfield Branch 4081 held its Board Election on November 19, 2022.  The election was held at Sanctuary of Praise of Church run

by Pastor TJ Appleby where voters were able to cast their ballot.

Elected officers include:

President: Kai Sutton

1st VP: Dr. Kyler ShermanWilkins

2nd VP: Dee Ogilvy

Treasurer: TJ Appleby

Secretary: Grace JacksonBrown

Assistant Secretary: Cheryl Clay Members at Large: Isabelle Walker - Jiminez Tracey Wolfe Tara Lacio

We thank everyone that has taken the time out to vote. Thanks for all that you do and we are looking forward to doing more, together.

—by Kai Sutton

Jesse

by Blackpast.org—Ensign Jesse Leroy Brown, the first African American to complete flight training in the United States Navy, was also the first African American naval officer killed in the Korean War. Born October 13, 1926 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, he was one of six children; his father, John Brown, was a sharecropper, and his mother, Alice, was a teacher. In high school, Jesse Brown was a three-sport athlete. He graduated from Hattiesburg’s racially segregated Eureka High School, where he was the salutatorian, in 1944. He studied engineering at Ohio State University and supported himself by working off campus as a janitor and boxcar loader.

Jesse Brown had dreamed of becoming an aviator since his father took him to an air show when he was a child. In 1946, he left school and enlisted in the Naval Reserve and was admitted to the naval aviation program. After flight training in Illinois, Iowa, and Florida, where he repeatedly encountered racism, Brown was one of six–out of a hundred who had started the program–to earn “Wings of Gold” on October 28, 1948. During training he secretly married his high school sweetheart, Daisy Pearl Nix, with whom

he had a daughter. He received his commission on April 26, 1949. Ensign Brown was initially posted to the Atlantic Fleet and assigned to fighter squadron VF-32, flying off the carrier USS Wright. With the outbreak of war in Korea in 1950, Brown’s squadron was transferred to the Pacific Fleet and the aircraft carrier USS Leyte.

By late 1950, Brown was a squadron section leader and had participated in a number of actions supporting United Nations’ ground troops. On December 4, 1950, on a mission toward the Chosin Reservoir, Chinese anti-aircraft fire ruptured Brown’s F4U Corsair’s fuel line and forced him to crash land in a snowy mountain pasture. Brown’s best friend and wingman, Lt. (j.g.) Thomas L. Hudner Jr., knowing he could be court-martialed, disobeyed orders to continue the mission and instead risked his life and crash-landed his plane near Brown’s. Unfortunately, Brown was seriously injured and trapped in the cockpit. Hudner was unable to free him, and he died. Afterwards Hudner was evacuated by helicopter, but it was deemed too dangerous to retrieve Brown’s body. The navy also feared that the Corsair could come into enemy hands; therefore, a “warrior’s

funeral” was ordered. The entire crash site was incinerated with napalm.

Ensign Brown, who had been lionized by the Black press since becoming a Navy pilot in 1948, was posthumously awarded the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Purple Heart. On April 13, 1951, President Harry S. Truman hosted a ceremony at the White House attended by Brown’s  family as well as Lt.

Hudner. Hudner recounted that the aviator’s last words were: “Just tell Daisy how much I love her.” Brown was survived by his wife, Daisy, and their daughter, Pamela Elise Brown.

In 1973, twenty-three years after his death, the frigate USS Jesse L. Brown was christened in his honor.  On November 23, 2022, Columbia Pictures released a biopic, Devotion, based on Ensign Brown’s life.

Ensign

L. Brown was the first African-American aviator for the US Navy.

Ensign Jesse Leroy Brown