The Source Summit
Convening Communities for Economic and Social Change
November 14–16, 2024
Compass Church
600 Silvey St. • Columbia, MO 65203
Itinerary
Select each day to view the full day’s itinerary
Thursday, November 14, 6-9pm
Business Expo, Vendor Fair, and more. View the full schedule for Thursday.
Friday, November 15, 8:30am-4pm
Addresses, sessions, panels, and more. View the full schedule for Friday.
Saturday, November 16, 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 14– 16, 2024. 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
Evie Allen Barton
Evie B Allen (Barton) is an award-winning broadcast journalist who started her career in her home community in southern Illinois. Before making the move to Columbia, Missouri in December 2022, she worked as a morning show Anchor for the local ABC station, WSIL TV 3 in Carterville, IL. She spent 13 years reporting, anchoring, and mentoring young journalists at WSIL. In 2021, Evie was awarded the Silver Dome for Best Reporter from the Illinois Broadcasters Association. Evie moved to mid-Missouri with her husband Matthew Barton and dog Maggie. Evie graduated from John A. Logan College in 2008 and from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 2010. At SIUC, Evie won the Radio-Television Outstanding Student Award for News in 2010. Before moving, Evie was involved with her family’s ministry as a licensed minister, sound engineer and praise and worship leader. She loves spending time with her family and friends, fishing, and baking. She has a passion for people and has enjoyed living in mid-Missouri.
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.
Pastor Corey Brooks
Pastor Corey Brooks is a dedicated leader, visionary pastor, and nationally recognized community activist committed to transforming lives and revitalizing underserved communities. As the Senior Pastor of New Beginnings Church of Chicago, located in the heart of the South Side’s Woodlawn neighborhood, Pastor Brooks has spent more than two decades fighting for peace, justice, and economic opportunity for the residents of Chicago’s most vulnerable areas.
Pastor Brooks’ work has been featured on national media platforms such as FOX News, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and The New York Times, and he is widely regarded as a leading voice in the movement to address the root causes of urban violence and poverty. Most notably, Pastor Brooks gained widespread recognition for his Rooftop Revelations series, in which he spent 343 days living on the roof of a building in Chicago’s South Side to raise awareness and funds for Project HOOD’s Leadership and Economic Opportunity Center. The series, featured on FOX Digital, allowed Pastor Brooks to share daily insights on issues related to poverty, violence, faith, and community development, amplifying his message to a national audience. His commitment to creating lasting change has earned him numerous accolades, and he continues to inspire through his relentless advocacy for economic development and opportunity.
In addition to his work with Project HOOD, Pastor Brooks is the Founder and Pastor of New Beginnings Church of Chicago and sought-after speaker, a mentor to many, and an advocate for national policies that support community development. His leadership, driven by faith and a deep love for his community, remains a beacon of hope for Chicago and beyond.
Mayor Barbara Buffaloe
Barbara Buffaloe is the Mayor of Columbia, MO, the fourth largest city in Missouri. Mayor Buffaloe serves on the Board of Directors for the Missouri Innovation Center, and as an ex-officio member on the Board of Directors for REDI and the Columbia Chamber of Commerce. Before being elected Mayor of Columbia, she served as Columbia’s first Sustainability Manager where she was responsible for integrating short- and long-term sustainable comprehensive action plans, resource conservation, and related sustainability programs to advance a more sustainable, vital and well planned future for the city. Mayor Buffaloe also serves as advisor to the Board of Directors for the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) and is a member of the Columbia Rotary Club. Mayor Buffaloe holds a BS in Environmental Design and a MS in Environment & Behavior from the University of Missouri. She has been a LEED Accredited Professional since 2004.
Commissioner Kip Kendrick
Kip Kendrick was elected as Boone County Presiding Commissioner in November 2022. Kip was born and raised in rural northeast Missouri. He came to Boone County over 20 years ago for its educational and economic opportunities and, like for so many others, it became home. Kip completed his undergraduate degree at Columbia College and a graduate degree at the University of Missouri. Prior to becoming Presiding Commissioner, Kip worked in the Missouri General Assembly, where he served for 6 years as a member of the Missouri House of Representatives and 2 years as a Chief of Staff in the Missouri Senate. During his time in the Missouri House, Kip focused on the state’s budget and served for 4 years as the Ranking Minority Member of the House Budget Committee.
Kip has served on numerous boards and commissions, including the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan, the Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee, Central Missouri Community Action, the Children’s Trust Fund, and Public Policy Chair for the Association for Persons in Supported Employment for the State of Missouri.
Avian Wilkins
Avian Wilkins is a passionate event planner, stylist, and advocate for community empowerment, who also thrives as a young educator. As the founder of A Visual Inspiration, she provides full-service event planning, styling, and personalized gift customization, helping clients create memorable, meaningful experiences. With a background in Africana studies and a deep commitment to the Sankofa philosophy, Avian blends creativity with purpose, honoring cultural history while building spaces for community connection. As a student affairs professional and active member of the ACPA Pan African Network, she is dedicated to supporting underrepresented students and fostering inclusive dialogue. Balancing her business with her role as an educator, Avian is driven by a passion for helping others align their talents and passions with their purpose, empowering personal growth and freedom through her work in both education and entrepreneurship.
Impact
Corporations
(8)
City of Columbia
University of Missouri
Missouri Employers Mutual
Anderson Homes
Redefined Writing Services
Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Office- MU
Black Studies – MU
Boone County Community Services
Churches
(7)
Calvary Episcopal Church
Compass Church
Woodcrest Chapel
Christian Fellowship
Urban Empowerment
United Community Cathedral
Anthem Church
Community (CBOs)
(15)
Show-Me Central Habitat for Humanity
MACC
Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture
Heart of Missouri CASA
Crowned Counseling
Heart of Missouri United Way
Worley Street Roundtable
Cycle of Success Training Program
Love Columbia
Partner for Better
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
Grade A Plus
Compass EFC
Kingdom Konnections
Columbia African American Black Alliance
Experience
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.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Thank You to Our Expo Vendors!
Summit Business Expo Vendors
- Crowned Counseling
- Woodcrest
- NAACP
- Heart of Missouri United Way
- Urban Empowerment
- Youth Empowerment Collective
- MU Child and Family Justice Center
- Reinhardt Construction
- Heart of Missouri CASA
For more information regarding The Source Summit Columbia, please contact Dr. Lester Woods, Jr. at (573) 823-9679, or contact@thesourcesummitglobal.com.