The Source Summit
Convening Communities for Economic and Social Change
November 9–11, 2023
Compass Church
600 Silvey St. • Columbia, MO 65203
Register
Itinerary
Select each day to view the full day’s itinerary
Thursday, November 9, 6-9pm
Business Expo, Vendor Fair, and more. View the full schedule for Thursday.
Friday, November 10, 8:30am-4pm
Addresses, sessions, panels, and more. View the full schedule for Friday.
Saturday, November 11, 9am-3pm
The Source Summit Global and Youth Summit. View the full schedule for Saturday.
About the Summit
The Source Summit is a 2 1/2 day gathering scheduled for November 9 – 11, 2023. 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. 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 Global is a 501(c)3 Community Development Corporation, recognized by the Internal Revenue Service and the State of Missouri. SSG 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.
NicDanger
NicDanger was born and raised in Columbia, MO, to culturally diverse parents. His mother is from St. Louis, MO, and father from Venezuela, South America. Growing up, NicDanger was labeled as the weird kid and the oddball because of the cultural differences. But he used those stereotypes to express his anger and pain through music. He is also a huge advocate of giving back to his community, with suicide prevention and awareness as a strong vocal point. NicDanger had his musical breakthrough when he opened up for Young Joc, which led to more opening acts for artists such as Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Tech N9ne, Riff Raff, Machine Gun Kelly, and many more. He is currently traveling across the United States performing in several popular cities for his fanbase.
Adrian Clifton
Dr. Adrian Chanel Clifton is an international educator, activist and motivational speaker who Co-founded Worley Street Roundtable, an educational nonprofit supporting underrepresented students and teachers. Her research is around the impact of spirituality, literacy and community based pedagogy in the lives of Black girls.
With 20 years of teaching experience expanding from preschool to adult education, Dr. Cifton currently works as Assistant Professor for the University of Missouri’s international education program; Mizzou Academy. She is passionate about connecting with people through the use of stories, music and culture. So much so that in 2019, she moved to São Paulo, Brazil as the first American educator to teach at a Mizzou Academy partner school, Colégio Magno. Dr. Clifton enhanced Colégio Magno’s high school English program and successfully launched the first elementary English math program for native Portuguese speaking students.
Dr. Adrian Clifton recently moved back to the states and is eager to connect with others who are making an impact on the community.
Dr. Christine Woods
Dr. Christine Woods is your “Everyday Woman” with exceptional values, an energetic presence, and an enthusiastic approach to life. Relatable, humorous, feisty, transparent, and passionate are just a few of the many traits that contribute to her ability to reach people where they are while blending her faith and professional practice.
As a social worker for more than 25 years, she has advanced practice in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors along with her work in academia. Dr. Woods earned her Doctor of Education and Master of Social Work from the University of Missouri- Columbia where she serves as an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Bachelor of Social Work program. She is theowner, founder, and lead therapist of CROWNED Counselingwhere she expands access to mental health treatment for theBIPOC community.
Released in 2022, Dr. Woods is the author of the Adjust Your Crown Therapy Journal where she takes the readers through emotional, relational, and spiritual healing.
She is the wife of Dr. Lester Woods, Jr., and the adored mother of two beautiful adult daughters, Lesli and Kiyah. Dr. Woods is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
In all that she does, Dr. Woods radiates compassion with the intent of those leaving her presence being better than before. Her motto in life is to strive for excellence, lead with integrity, and serve with humility.
S.O.
Since its release in September 2019, S.O.’s latest album ‘Augustine’s legacy’ has accumulated over 16 million streams on spot/fy alone. An album dedicated to his late father and first child, S.O. Is no stranger to creating and crafting unique stories that resonate with people. Born in Nigeria and raised in London, S.O.’s music displays depth, emotional transparency, and melody.
Now residing in Texas, S.O. and known for his energetic performances, S.O. has shared stages with Grammy award-winner Lecrae, Grammy-nominated Mali music, and Jonathan McReynolds, Andy Mineo, kb. He has also headlined shows in Africa, Europe, and America, and shows no signs of slowing down. With each of his albums reaching the billboard Christian charts, mobo nominations and over 40 million streams, S.O. continues to go from strength to strength.
His music has also been featured on the premier league, MMA, DAZN boxing and used by the likes of Kelly Rowland, Ryan Garcia, Jesse Lingard and many others.
Judge Kayla Jackson-Williams
Judge Kayla Jackson-Williams measures success not only in the courtroom, but in the lives she touches in her local community of Boone County, where she lives with her beautiful daughter. In 2012, Kayla graduated from Truman State University with her degree in Justice Systems before continuing her education at the University of Missouri-School of Law. Kayla’s exceptional skills in trial and oral advocacy, as well as brief writing, earned her membership to the Order of Barristers, an honor awarded to only ten Mizzou Law graduates each year.
Following her law school graduation, Kayla began her legal career representing families in Boone County, ensuring that each individual she assisted not only received a skilled attorney in the courtroom, but also a representative who listened and explained each part of the legal process encountered.
Kayla continued her service to her community by serving as a Public Defender, where she handled hundreds of criminal cases from the date a charge was filed to the final disposition of the case. Kayla viewed her position as a public defender as another avenue to demonstrate excellence, and an opportunity to advance her skills in her advocacy through making oral arguments, preparing witnesses, researching legal issues, preparing motions, and conducting trials. More importantly, she took this opportunity to provide a voice to individuals who often felt overlooked and unheard.
Looking for a change, Kayla left the Public Defender’s Office in 2020, and she worked as a Senior Associate at Rogers | Ehrhardt Attorneys at Law, where she practiced civil litigation. During this time, she also served as an adjunct professor, teaching Client Interviewing & Counseling, at Mizzou Law.
In 2021, The Supreme Court of Missouri appointed Kayla as a member of the Commission on Racial and Ethnic Fairness and a member of the Juvenile Justice Subcommittee. In 2022, The Supreme Court of Missouri appointed Kayla to a second Committee – this time focused on reforming the Juvenile Justice System in Missouri.
On August 2, 2022, Kayla was elected as the first Black Judge in Boone County, Missouri, where she has served since January 1, 2023.
Kayla is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
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.
NicDanger
NicDanger was born and raised in Columbia, MO, to culturally diverse parents. His mother is from St. Louis, MO, and father from Venezuela, South America. Growing up, NicDanger was labeled as the weird kid and the oddball because of the cultural differences. But he used those stereotypes to express his anger and pain through music. He is also a huge advocate of giving back to his community, with suicide prevention and awareness as a strong vocal point. NicDanger had his musical breakthrough when he opened up for Young Joc, which led to more opening acts for artists such as Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Tech N9ne, Riff Raff, Machine Gun Kelly, and many more. He is currently traveling across the United States performing in several popular cities for his fanbase.
Adrian Clifton
Dr. Adrian Chanel Clifton is an international educator, activist and motivational speaker who Co-founded Worley Street Roundtable, an educational nonprofit supporting underrepresented students and teachers. Her research is around the impact of spirituality, literacy and community based pedagogy in the lives of Black girls.
With 20 years of teaching experience expanding from preschool to adult education, Dr. Cifton currently works as Assistant Professor for the University of Missouri’s international education program; Mizzou Academy. She is passionate about connecting with people through the use of stories, music and culture. So much so that in 2019, she moved to São Paulo, Brazil as the first American educator to teach at a Mizzou Academy partner school, Colégio Magno. Dr. Clifton enhanced Colégio Magno’s high school English program and successfully launched the first elementary English math program for native Portuguese speaking students.
Dr. Adrian Clifton recently moved back to the states and is eager to connect with others who are making an impact on the community.
Dr. Christine Woods
Dr. Christine Woods is your “Everyday Woman” with exceptional values, an energetic presence, and an enthusiastic approach to life. Relatable, humorous, feisty, transparent, and passionate are just a few of the many traits that contribute to her ability to reach people where they are while blending her faith and professional practice.
As a social worker for more than 25 years, she has advanced practice in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors along with her work in academia. Dr. Woods earned her Doctor of Education and Master of Social Work from the University of Missouri- Columbia where she serves as an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Bachelor of Social Work program. She is theowner, founder, and lead therapist of CROWNED Counselingwhere she expands access to mental health treatment for theBIPOC community.
Released in 2022, Dr. Woods is the author of the Adjust Your Crown Therapy Journal where she takes the readers through emotional, relational, and spiritual healing.
She is the wife of Dr. Lester Woods, Jr., and the adored mother of two beautiful adult daughters, Lesli and Kiyah. Dr. Woods is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
In all that she does, Dr. Woods radiates compassion with the intent of those leaving her presence being better than before. Her motto in life is to strive for excellence, lead with integrity, and serve with humility.
S.O.
Since its release in September 2019, S.O.’s latest album ‘Augustine’s legacy’ has accumulated over 16 million streams on spot/fy alone. An album dedicated to his late father and first child, S.O. Is no stranger to creating and crafting unique stories that resonate with people. Born in Nigeria and raised in London, S.O.’s music displays depth, emotional transparency, and melody.
Now residing in Texas, S.O. and known for his energetic performances, S.O. has shared stages with Grammy award-winner Lecrae, Grammy-nominated Mali music, and Jonathan McReynolds, Andy Mineo, kb. He has also headlined shows in Africa, Europe, and America, and shows no signs of slowing down. With each of his albums reaching the billboard Christian charts, mobo nominations and over 40 million streams, S.O. continues to go from strength to strength.
His music has also been featured on the premier league, MMA, DAZN boxing and used by the likes of Kelly Rowland, Ryan Garcia, Jesse Lingard and many others.
Judge Kayla Jackson-Williams
Judge Kayla Jackson-Williams measures success not only in the courtroom, but in the lives she touches in her local community of Boone County, where she lives with her beautiful daughter. In 2012, Kayla graduated from Truman State University with her degree in Justice Systems before continuing her education at the University of Missouri-School of Law. Kayla’s exceptional skills in trial and oral advocacy, as well as brief writing, earned her membership to the Order of Barristers, an honor awarded to only ten Mizzou Law graduates each year.
Following her law school graduation, Kayla began her legal career representing families in Boone County, ensuring that each individual she assisted not only received a skilled attorney in the courtroom, but also a representative who listened and explained each part of the legal process encountered.
Kayla continued her service to her community by serving as a Public Defender, where she handled hundreds of criminal cases from the date a charge was filed to the final disposition of the case. Kayla viewed her position as a public defender as another avenue to demonstrate excellence, and an opportunity to advance her skills in her advocacy through making oral arguments, preparing witnesses, researching legal issues, preparing motions, and conducting trials. More importantly, she took this opportunity to provide a voice to individuals who often felt overlooked and unheard.
Looking for a change, Kayla left the Public Defender’s Office in 2020, and she worked as a Senior Associate at Rogers | Ehrhardt Attorneys at Law, where she practiced civil litigation. During this time, she also served as an adjunct professor, teaching Client Interviewing & Counseling, at Mizzou Law.
In 2021, The Supreme Court of Missouri appointed Kayla as a member of the Commission on Racial and Ethnic Fairness and a member of the Juvenile Justice Subcommittee. In 2022, The Supreme Court of Missouri appointed Kayla to a second Committee – this time focused on reforming the Juvenile Justice System in Missouri.
On August 2, 2022, Kayla was elected as the first Black Judge in Boone County, Missouri, where she has served since January 1, 2023.
Kayla is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
Impact
Corporations
(26)
American University
Boone County Community Services Department
Boone County Health Department
Business Times Holdings
Columbia Police Department
Columbia/Boone County Health Department
Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services
Crowned Counseling
DHEWD
Executive Director, Downtown CID
Horrell and Associates
MU Health Care
New Chapter Coaching
Partner for Better
Principe Foods
Quintilla’s Kitchen
Redefined Writing Services
Shelter Insurance
State of Missouri Department of Social Services
Theological Education Initiative
TRiO EOC at Columbia College
University of Missouri – Inclusion, Divesity and Equity
University of Missouri-ShowMe Healthy Relationships
Veterans United
Veterans United Home Loans
Wehoit LLC
Churches
(9)
Calvary Episcopal Church
Compass Church
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
New Horizons UMC
Stonebridge House
UE
Unity Christian Center International
Urban Empowerment Ministries
Woodcrest
Community (CBOs)
(18)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Missouri
Boone County Community Against Violence
CAABA
Central Missouri Chapter of Jack and Jill of America
Compass Health Network
CPS
Defense Against Diabetes
Destiny of H.O.P.E
DreamTreeAcademy/Redi
Heart of Missouri United Way
Love Columbia
Missouri Faith Voices
P.E.A.C.E.
Show-Me Central Habitat for Humanity
The District, Downtown CID
The Food Bank
The Recovery Support and Reentry Opportunity Center (The ROC)
Veterans United Foundation
Experience
It was very enlightening, a great networking opportunity!
— Rebekah Robertson, Stonebridge House
It was an incredible time of learning, collaboration and envisioning for how we can be at the table and change our community.
— Michael Acock, Christian Fellowship
The summit was well planned and so inspiring. Bishop Woods, I thank God for raising up another concerned, devoted capable leader for our community. It is a pleasure to work with you as you lead this summit to greater heights.
— Mary Ratliff, President of NAACP
I appreciated the key topics related to some of the most impactful social and economic issues facing our communities. Many of the conversations were helpful to bring general knowledge to an area with more depth than cursory research would provide. I also appreciate the opportunity to convene relationships among the community across sub-sections of groups that may not typically interact.
— Scott Claybrook, Legacy Point Church
Investment
The following sponsorship packages are available to partner with The Source Summit Columbia:
Platinum Sponsor
$10,000 or more
- Logo Recognition
- Marketing
- Promotional Spot
- Source Summit EXPO Booth
Gold Sponsor
$7,500 to $9,999
- Logo Recognition
- Marketing
- Source Summit EXPO Booth
Silver Sponsor
$5,000 to $7,499
- Logo Recognition
- Marketing
- Source Summit EXPO Booth
Bronze Sponsor
$2,500 to $4,999
- 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
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Source Sponsors
Business Sponsors
In-Kind Sponsor
Summit Business Expo Vendors
- The Source Summit Global
- Theological Education Initiative
- JAWED Foundation
- I Love Me Some Me
- Quintilla’s Kitchen
- Shelter Insurance
- James Hendersen Rockbridge Financial
- City of Columbia
- Boone Supported Living
- NAACP
- REDI
- Boone County Government
- Job Point
- Columbia Chamber of Commerce
- LOVE Columbia
- Missouri CASA
- CROWNED Counseling
- MACC
For more information regarding The Source Summit Columbia, please contact Dr. Lester Woods, Jr. at (573) 823-9679, or contact@thesourcesummitglobal.com.