The Source Summit
Convening Communities for Economic and Social Change
November 10–12, 2022
Thursday, Nov. 10 Knights of Columbus • 2525 N Stadium Blvd • Columbia, MO
Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11–12 Urban Empowerment • 2404 Industrial Dr • Columbia, MO
Columbia, Missouri
About the Summit
The Source Summit is a 2 1/2 day gathering scheduled for November 10th – 12th, 2022. The Summit is designed to convene community-based organizations, corporations and the faith-based community to influence economic and social change for individuals within the Columbia community. There are a plethora of economic and social concerns in which every community across the country is struggling with today. Some of those concerns include access to childcare, eldercare, affordable housing, transportation, homelessness, food deserts, quality education, gun violence, community policing and gainful employment, just to name a few. Moreover, the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to manifest within every community and sector across the country, while exposing social and economic inequalities. These concerns are compounded, when you add systemic racism and unjust policies that have negatively impacted disadvantaged communities.
The overall intent of the summit is to bring together key community stakeholders to identify these concerns and work together to establish resolutions that will enhance economic and social equity. There are already several institutions and organizations providing services to address some of these concerns; however, the intent of the summit is to bring a greater awareness of those efforts and introduce individuals to those agencies and services. One of the advantages of this effort is the intentional inclusion of the faith-based community in the discussion. Consequently, the summit will provide information, tools and resources for faith-based organizations to increase readiness to partner with other organizations and the business community to better serve the community at-large. Finally, and most importantly, the summit intends to connect employers to interested candidates and minority/women owned business to potential opportunities. The summit proposes to convene, collaborate, and change the distressing conditions of disadvantaged individuals and improve the quality of the life in the community for all.
The Source Summit-Columbia is planned and organized by Dr. Lester Woods, Jr., and the Urban Empowerment Development Corporation (uEDC), which is a 501(c)3 Community Development Corporation, recognized by the Internal Revenue Service and the State of Missouri. uEDC welcomes sponsors and supporters for this initiative and invites faith-based organizations, local agencies, organizations and the business community to join in this effort.
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Lester Woods
The Source Summit Convener, Dr. Lester Woods, is the Senior Pastor of Urban Empowerment Ministries and the Chief Executive Officer of Urban Empowerment Development Corporation. Dr. Woods is also a 19 year veteran of the Missouri Department of Transportation, where he serves as the Chief Administrative Officer.
He is a 1993 graduate of Grambling State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He furthered his education by obtaining a Master’s of Public Administration from the University of Missouri, in 1996. He recently earned a Doctor of Ministry degree focused on Social Justice from United Theological Seminary in May 2020.
He is the proud husband of Dr. Christine Woods, who is a Professor at the University of Missouri School of Social Work, proprietor of Crowned Counseling and the mother of their two beautiful daughters, Lesli and Kiyah Woods.
Dr. Brian Yearwood
My 30 year career has been focused on understanding how scholars learn and providing opportunities through an educational framework that meets the needs of scholars and staff. I am originally from Trinidad and Tobago and attended New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, New Mexico, on a tennis scholarship. I also received a tennis scholarship at Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas, where I received a Bachelor of Science, a Masters of Educational Administration and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.
Dr. Ayanna Shivers
A native of Mexico, MO, Dr. Ayanna Shivers is the daughter of Isaac and Jennifer Shivers. She obtained her BA in Journalism from The University of Oklahoma; her M.Ed in Counseling Education from The Citadel, her MA in Theology from Liberty University and her Ph.D in Education from the University of Southern Mississippi. After being gone from the area for almost 25 years, she returned to the area in 2014 and has been active in ministry and politics, in an effort to bring more unity in the community.
Dr. Shivers is currently a member of the Mexico, Missouri City Council, where she recently served as mayor until she termed out in April of 2021. She has also served as the president of the Central Missouri Municipal League and she is the founder of Anointed Life Saving Ministries, Inc.; a 501c3 organization that strives to be the bridge that closes that gap that exists between people from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Dr. Shivers is employed at Lincoln University where she is the Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning and a professor for the School of Education. She is also the principal investigator for the $1.45 million National Science Foundation Noyce grant that she wrote to help increase the number of minorities teaching STEM in K-12 schools. In addition she created and now serves as the coordinator for the Para to Pro Program at Lincoln to help paraprofessionals and teacher assistants become certified teachers.
Dr. Shivers became an ordained evangelist in 2008, under Deliverance Centers Inc. She served as pastor of Harpers Chapel Everybody’s Church from 2015-2019; and she currently is the pastor at New Horizons Church in Columbia, MO. She believes it is her love for Christ that propels the work that she does in the community.
Ms. Angela Whitman
My name is Angela Whitman and I lived in Columbia, Mo for 17 years where I raised my children in Log Providence Missionary Baptist Church is where I hold from this day my membership with Rev. David Ballenger is my pastor. I am an entrepreneur with three businesses that are successfully operating in Dallas, Texas. #DiabetesSquadUp!!!!LLC was born in 2020 when I was diagnosed with this disease at the age of 50. I took all of my hurt, my tears, my anger, lack of understanding and gave it to God and at that point that second that hour and that minute my life changed. I am an advocate for diabetes awareness with the American Diabetes Association in Dallas Texas. It has been rewarding. Diabetes is not your friend.
Second, I own my flower business Flowers From Nowhere Else which was started in Columbia, MO and have won shows and have built flower museum shows. It’s amazing. And last but not least, I am one of the best Emcees in the world. God has blessed me with so many wonderful gifts and now that I know and understand how to use my gifts God loves me so much and favor is not fair and yet my journey keeps moving forward super excited about my life!!!
Dr. Lester Woods
The Source Summit Convener, Dr. Lester Woods, is the Senior Pastor of Urban Empowerment Ministries and the Chief Executive Officer of Urban Empowerment Development Corporation. Dr. Woods is also a 19 year veteran of the Missouri Department of Transportation, where he serves as the Chief Administrative Officer.
He is a 1993 graduate of Grambling State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He furthered his education by obtaining a Master’s of Public Administration from the University of Missouri, in 1996. He recently earned a Doctor of Ministry degree focused on Social Justice from United Theological Seminary in May 2020.
He is the proud husband of Dr. Christine Woods, who is a Professor at the University of Missouri School of Social Work, proprietor of Crowned Counseling and the mother of their two beautiful daughters, Lesli and Kiyah Woods.
Dr. Brian Yearwood
My 30 year career has been focused on understanding how scholars learn and providing opportunities through an educational framework that meets the needs of scholars and staff. I am originally from Trinidad and Tobago and attended New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, New Mexico, on a tennis scholarship. I also received a tennis scholarship at Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas, where I received a Bachelor of Science, a Masters of Educational Administration and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.
Dr. Ayanna Shivers
A native of Mexico, MO, Dr. Ayanna Shivers is the daughter of Isaac and Jennifer Shivers. She obtained her BA in Journalism from The University of Oklahoma; her M.Ed in Counseling Education from The Citadel, her MA in Theology from Liberty University and her Ph.D in Education from the University of Southern Mississippi. After being gone from the area for almost 25 years, she returned to the area in 2014 and has been active in ministry and politics, in an effort to bring more unity in the community.
Dr. Shivers is currently a member of the Mexico, Missouri City Council, where she recently served as mayor until she termed out in April of 2021. She has also served as the president of the Central Missouri Municipal League and she is the founder of Anointed Life Saving Ministries, Inc.; a 501c3 organization that strives to be the bridge that closes that gap that exists between people from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Dr. Shivers is employed at Lincoln University where she is the Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning and a professor for the School of Education. She is also the principal investigator for the $1.45 million National Science Foundation Noyce grant that she wrote to help increase the number of minorities teaching STEM in K-12 schools. In addition she created and now serves as the coordinator for the Para to Pro Program at Lincoln to help paraprofessionals and teacher assistants become certified teachers.
Dr. Shivers became an ordained evangelist in 2008, under Deliverance Centers Inc. She served as pastor of Harpers Chapel Everybody’s Church from 2015-2019; and she currently is the pastor at New Horizons Church in Columbia, MO. She believes it is her love for Christ that propels the work that she does in the community.
Ms. Angela Whitman
My name is Angela Whitman and I lived in Columbia, Mo for 17 years where I raised my children in Log Providence Missionary Baptist Church is where I hold from this day my membership with Rev. David Ballenger is my pastor. I am an entrepreneur with three businesses that are successfully operating in Dallas, Texas. #DiabetesSquadUp!!!!LLC was born in 2020 when I was diagnosed with this disease at the age of 50. I took all of my hurt, my tears, my anger, lack of understanding and gave it to God and at that point that second that hour and that minute my life changed. I am an advocate for diabetes awareness with the American Diabetes Association in Dallas Texas. It has been rewarding. Diabetes is not your friend.
Second, I own my flower business Flowers From Nowhere Else which was started in Columbia, MO and have won shows and have built flower museum shows. It’s amazing. And last but not least, I am one of the best Emcees in the world. God has blessed me with so many wonderful gifts and now that I know and understand how to use my gifts God loves me so much and favor is not fair and yet my journey keeps moving forward super excited about my life!!!
Model
Best Practice
The Source Summit Global is designed to convene communities and mobilize a community’s greatest asset — it’s people — toward collective productivity in local change generation. The Source Summit is a catalyst to consistently assemble and encourage thought-leadership among local stakeholders to collectively unify and activate a wide range of available resources, solution-based initiatives and empower collaborative economic and social movements.
Impact
Churches
(14)
Urban Empowerment Ministries
The Oasis Church
Log Providence
Missionary Baptist Church
Unity Christian Center
Catholic Charities of Central Northern Missouri
AME Church
United Community Cathedral
Powerhouse Ministries
Second Baptist Church
Faith Walk Ministries
Quinn Chapel AME
Compass Church
Christian Fellowship
Corporations
(41)
CROWNED Counseling, Veterans United Home Loans, City of Columbia, Boone County, Columbia Public Schools, Burrell Behavioral Health, Heart of Missouri United Way, MU ABPSI, Love Columbia, Lacrasha’s Cleaning, JI Cooper Consulting LLC, Theological Education Initiative, Redefined Writing Services, Shelter Insurance, NAACP, MAAC Adult Education and Literacy, Victory Finances LLC, University of Missouri, Compass Health Network, Job Point, EduStaff, Dynamic Credit Repair LLC, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Missouri, Moss Transportation Solution LLC, Cradle to Career Alliance, Noble Necessities LLC, Goodwill Excel Center, Caring Community Partnership, Grandma’s Southern Eats LLC, Columbia Vet Center, Voluntary Action Center, Columbia Community Land Trust, ARW Equity Advisors LLC, Naturally Taylored Skincare, Boone County Community Services, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc, Luthern Family and Children Services, Defense Against Diabetes, Columbia Chamber of Commerce, WEHOIT, JHOIT LLC
Community (CBOs)
(7)
Regional Economic Development Inc.
United Community Builders
Grade A Plus Inc
Fresh Start Sober Living Programs
Powerhouse Community Development
Boone County Community Against Violence
Experience
Very well done!
— Source Summit Attendee 2021
It was a phenomenal experience!
— Source Summit Attendee 2021
Thanks for taking this important first step!
— Source Summit Attendee 2021
Great event! Everyone was hospitable, the presentations were amazing.
— Source Summit Attendee 2021
Thank you kindly! This was very much appreciated.
— Source Summit Attendee 2021
Thank you for reaching out and having us participate as a vendor!
— Source Summit Attendee 2021
Wonderful event!
— Source Summit Attendee 2021
Thanks for sharing strategies and community concerns.
— Source Summit Attendee 2021
Thank you so much for coordinating such an impressive group of people and organizing a large event!
— Source Summit Attendee 2021
Investment
The following sponsorship packages are available to partner with The Source Summit Columbia:
Platinum Sponsor
$10,000 or more
- 25 Complementary Tickets
- Logo Recognition
- Marketing
- Promotional Spot
- Source Summit EXPO Booth
Gold Sponsor
$7,500 to $9,999
- 20 Complementary Tickets
- Logo Recognition
- Marketing
- Source Summit EXPO Booth
Silver Sponsor
$5,000 to $7,499
- 15 Complementary Tickets
- Logo Recognition
- Marketing
- Source Summit EXPO Booth
Bronze Sponsor
$2,500 to $4,999
- 10 Complementary Tickets
- Logo Recognition
- Market
- Source Summit EXPO Booth
Source Sponsor
$1,000 to $2,499
- Logo Recognition
- Marketing
- Source Summit EXPO Booth
Business Sponsor
$500
- Source Summit EXPO Booth
Church/Faith Based Sponsor
Member Scholarship(s)*
- Logo Recognition
- Marketing
Attendee/Event Registration
Registration for the Summit is free of charge and open to the public.
Platinum Sponsors
Silver Sponsor
Source Sponsors
Business Sponsors
Gold Sponsor
In-Kind Sponsor
Summit Business Expo Vendors
- The Source Summit Global
- The City of Columbia
- TRIO Educational Opportunity Center
- Voluntary Action Center
- University of Missouri
- Columbia African-American Business Association (CAABA)
- Quintella’s Kitchen
- Job Point
- Love Columbia
- Heart of Missouri-United Way
- NAACP
- Shelter Insurance
- Powerhouse Community Development
- Crowned Counseling
- Show Me Central Habitat for Humanity
- REDI
- Burrell Behavioral Health
- Veterans United Foundation
- MACC
- Urban Empowerment Ministries
- World Financial Group
- Edustaff
- National Guard/ Air Force
- Boone County Joint Communications
- Grade A Plus
For more information regarding The Source Summit Columbia, please contact Dr. Lester Woods, Jr. at (573) 823-9679, or contact@thesourcesummitglobal.com.