From the Editor

MANAGEMENT

PRESIDENT & MANAGING EDITOR, Samuel G. Knox

ASSOCIATE EDITOR, Tyra Knox

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, Mary Gartner

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

Mother’s Day is celebrated in the month of May. It’s a special day dedicated to honoring and celebrating mothers all around the world. It’s a time to reflect on the love, care, and sacrifices that mothers make for their children every day.

Today, Mother’s Day is celebrated in over 40 countries worldwide, with each country having its unique way of celebrating this special day. Mother’s Day is a time to express gratitude to mothers and show them how much they are appreciated. It’s a time to give gifts, send cards, and spend quality time with the special women in our lives. Whether it’s a bouquet of flowers, a heartfelt card, or a simple phone call, every gesture of love and appreciation counts.

Mother’s Day is an important day to celebrate the extraordinary women in our lives who have made a significant impact on our journey. It’s a time to honor their sacrifices, and show them how much they are loved. Let’s make this Mother’s Day a day to remember by showing our appreciation to the special mothers in our lives.

As always, if you have news or information you would like us to consider writing about, we invite you to email or give us a call. Your news leads and stories are always welcome. We hope you enjoy our May issue.

Best,

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

CREATIVE TEAM

GRAPHIC DESIGN, Bradley Knox

WEB DEVELOPER, Christopher Palma

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

Generational Musical Talent

Licensed Funeral Directors of Distinction

W. Bruce Howell · Robert J. Lohmeyer · Don R. Lohmeyer · Heather K. Howell · Clint W. Mease

Licensed Funeral Directors of Distinction

Licensed Funeral Directors of Distinction

W. Bruce Howell • Don R. Lohmeyer • Heather K. Howell • Clint W. Mease

Angela N. Collins · Harley R. Williams · Andy D. Vowell · Dulcinea M. Lane

W. Bruce Howell · Robert J. Lohmeyer · Don R. Lohmeyer · Heather K. Howell · Clint W. Mease

Angela N. Collins • Harley R. Williams * Andy D. Vowell • Dulcinea M. Lane

W. Bruce Howell · Robert J. Lohmeyer · Don R. Lohmeyer · Heather K. Howell · Clint W. Mease

Buckle up for spring and summer –there’s so much to do for free at The Library! Have you heard Ernie Bedell’s family story? He’ll talk about it at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, in the Library Center auditorium. Using his book “Generation B Music & Melodies,” Bedell tells the story of this five-generation Black musical family that has written, performed and sold recordings throughout the region and the U.S. Bedell highlights the Bedells’ contributions and those of other Black musicians. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

Angela N. Collins · Harley R. Williams · Andy D. Vowell · Dulcinea M. Lane

Angela N. Collins · Harley R. Williams · Andy D. Vowell · Dulcinea M. Lane

•••

Nicole E. Bauer • Angie Howell Larsen

Nichole E. Bauer · Barbara A. Hinds · Angie Howell Larsen

1947 E. Seminole · 886-9994 · GormanScharpf.com

Nichole E. Bauer · Barbara A. Hinds · Angie Howell Larsen

Nichole E. Bauer · Barbara A. Hinds · Angie Howell Larsen

1947 E. Seminole · 886-9994 · GormanScharpf.com

Locally owned and operated for over 70 years

1947 E. Seminole · 886-9994 · GormanScharpf.com

Locally owned and operated for over 70 years

Locally owned and operated for over 70 years

In honor of Juneteenth, take a cultural tour of the African American community. Beginning June 3-18, pick up an “I Too Am America” passport at any library or Barnes & Noble and explore an African American timeline history and learn about contributions that were made while striving toward freedom.

For details call the Springfield Greene County Park Board’s Timmons Hall at 417-512-6070. Presented in partnership with the NAACP Springfield Chapter, Community Partnership of the Ozarks, the City of Springfield and the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau.

•••

Kids and teens can earn cool rewards in the Library’s Summer Reading Program June 1-Aug. 5. The theme “All Together Now” features a game board so kids can keep track of their reading minutes and activities as they earn rewards. Best of all, summer reading helps kids build reading skills.

•••

Beginning June 1, pick up a game board at any library branch or the Mobile Library, or log on to thelibrary.org/summerreading and follow the links to register for the reading program that fits you. Start logging reading minutes and complete the activities to earn a Fresh Start Fine Waiver Card, a free book and Summer Youth Passport. End-of-summer drawings offer book bags, coupons for free books and gift cards. Adult readers are entered into gift drawings, too.

Everyone can attend all the crazy, free shows with magicians, musicians and mad scientists at the libraries throughout summer. And visit area attractions for tours and stories during Fantastic Fridays. Visit thelibrary.org/programs, or see Bookends for the schedule. The Summer Reading Program is funded by the Friends of the Library.

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

From high school dropout, to college graduate, to career in architecture

Springfield, MO— Emonn Ray dropped out of high school when she was just 17. After attending OTC, Emonn not only has a high school diploma but she’s also a college graduate with a career at a local architecture firm.

Having lived for several years as a high school dropout, Emonn Ray received her high school equivalency diploma from OTC and eventually her associate degree in drafting and design. Now, she’s a college graduate and working as a drafter at Springfield’s Ireland Architects.

Emonn was born in Springfield, and is the daugter of Kayla Manning and Anthony Ray. She and her family moved to Florida when Emonn was three. She returned more than a decade later to start high school and, as Emonn puts it, “Life happened.” Emonn dropped out of school, but not before she fed her love for construction by learning some carpentry and masonry skills through OTC’s Career Center for high school students.

“I’ve always been a huge fan of HGTV,” Emonn said. “I love watching shows like ‘Fixer Upper’ and ‘Property Brothers.’ I’ve always had an interest in building and remodeling.”

After dropping out of high school, Emonn worked several different types of jobs in warehouses, food service, hospitality and with temporary employment agencies. Then, one day, “I woke up and just decided I wanted more. I was tired of working jobs I absolutely detested. I wanted a career, and I knew in order to have a career I would need to go back to school.”

In 2018, Emonn came to OTC to receive her high school equivalency diploma, but that was just the beginning of her educational journey.

“After getting my high school diploma, I realized I could do a lot more. It gave me the motivation to do more,” Emonn said. Emonn’s computer features a sticker that says, “Words. Actions.” Emonn took that message to heart and took action by enrolling in OTC’s drafting and design technology program in the spring of 2019. She took 21 hours, which is a huge course load for someone working full-time. During that first semester, as an assignment in her English 101 course, Emonn was introduced to the author, podcaster and social work professor Brene Brown.

“Listening to those TED Talks made me realize that it’s okay to be vulnerable,” Emonn said. “I always let my fear hold me back. I realized that it’s okay to be scared, but you can’t let it stop you.” Emonn didn’t stop and she graduated in May 2022, but before she graduated, her instructor Rene Wade, encouraged her to apply for a position at Ireland Architects.

Fewer than a fifth of drafting professionals are women, and barely

3 percent are African-American, so Emonn represents two under-represented populations in her chosen profession.

“I didn’t want a career typically associated with women. I wanted to challenge myself,” Emonn said.

“Being the only African-American female in my classes just made me work harder.”

“Your mistakes don’t define who you are,” Emonn said. “I tell my teenage sister all the time, ‘Always try to do better and be the best person you can be.’”