December Unite Page 12
December 2011 Volume 21/ Number 12 • A Monthly Publication of Unite. of Southwest Missouri, Inc • www.unitenewsonline.org
UNITE.
Have A Merry Christmas & Happy New Year From the Unite Publication Staff
Building Empowering Connections In Our Diverse Community
Celebrate Kwanzaa December 29, 2011 Springfield, MO—Ladies' Civic League invites the community to come with your family for fun and feast as they celebrate the principles of Kwanzaa. The event is scheduled for Thursday, December 29, 2011 at the Washington Ave Baptist Church 1722 N. National Ave., 6:30 p.m.
The 2012 Unite Scholarship Guide Springfield, MO— It is easy to recognize the significant role education has played in our nation’s growth and success. We offered this Scholarship Guide as a database for students who may not be aware of the many opportunities for scholarships available to them. Continued on page 2
Free Weatherization Measures Save You Money Every Month On Utility Bills Springfield, MO— Janice Bowles had no idea that just over a month after applying for the weatherization program she would have crews working throughout her home to make it more energy efficient. A senior surviving on social security, Janice is one of the beneficiaries of the massive weatherization stimulus project, part of the See Story On Page 7
Ten Local Influential People Of 2011
Dr. Calvin Allen
Lyle Foster
John Oke-Thomas
Yolanda Lorge
Anthony Tolliver
Gwen Marshall
by Mia Jackson-Huskisson Unite Contributing Writer As 2011 comes to an end, Unite paused to look at 10 influential individuals who positively impacted our community this year. For the purpose of this article, we looked at community involvement and numbers of local persons positively impacted by their leadership. Unite has limited the list to 10 people but we certainly acknowledge there are many people whose actions are worthy of our applause. Our listings appear in no
Cheryl Clay
Steven Warren
particular order. 1. Dr. Calvin Allen, Executive Director of Springfield Community Center. Dr. Allen is a community service veteran. He is involved with multiple organizations that improve communities which include but aren’t limited to: Community Foundation of the Ozarks, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Ozarks, Missouri Literacy Council, Family Achievement Academy, and the Springfield Park Board. In addition, he provides academic and cultural experiences for area youth through his after school and summer programs
George Davis
Samuel Knox
through Springfield Community Center. 2. John Oke-Thomas, President /CEO of Oke-Thomas +Associates Inc. He is the President of Minorities in Business, Inc. Oke-Thomas has also served on numerous boards and committees including Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Isabel’s House, and NAACP’s Board of Economic and Housing Development. Recently, he was awarded the 2011 SBA Kansas City District’s Small Business Person Award. Continued on page 2