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close up of a group of small group of people gather outside of a building for a cermonial ribbon cutting

Business is Blooming

Lara Pieper is proof that a professional setback can be turned into a huge opportunity…

a group of women posing for a picture outside of a brick building

Who Runs the Business World? Women, That’s Who.

According to the United States Census Bureau, roughly only 33% of businesses are owned by…

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close up black and white headshot of a man named Andrew Grabau standing beside two women named La Toya Stevens and Adonica Coleman

Impact COMO 2021

This past year continued to provide unexpected opportunities for innovation in the ways our local…

selfie of a couple on a beach both wearing sunglassses and black jackets

Mike & Rockie Alden

What keeps you busy during the week? Mike: Community events, doing consulting work in higher…

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singer on stage named Cécile McLorin Salvant with a bass player off to one side

Finding the Good Notes

James Williams, the late, wonderful pianist and educator, figured measurably in planting my jazz seeds,…

seven individual headshots side by side of men and women

October: Movers & Shakers

Dr. Adam Clarke Dr. Adam Clarke has joined Dr. Tim McGarity and the team at…

Professional headshot of a women named La Toya Stevens

La Toya Stevens

Job description My role is to advance equity, increase brand awareness, and raise funds through…

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view of the back of peoples leeges participating in a particiapting in a charity alzhemiers walk overlaid with blue, yellow, orange, and purple flower outlines

Not An Island

“I’m always in walk mode,” says Chris Cottle, walk manager for the Alzheimer’s Association Greater…

food served on a metal tray with butcher paper from a barbacue place called "Bud's bbq"

October: Closer Look

Bud’s Classic BBQ In the space on Ninth Street previously occupied by Ingredient True Eatery…

outline of two hands holding a heart surronded by a blue dotted line graphic

Combined Efforts

Many of the 142 Columbia-area nonprofits focus on poverty and social services. We can’t write…

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birds eye view of a farm surronded with trees and a lake with a red barn

A Home of Love

About 30 minutes northwest of Columbia, nestled in the rolling hills of western Boone County,…

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Birds eye view of four people working on an urban farm with rows and rows of plants

Growth Through Service

In The Beginning  In 2008, a concerned group of MU students took action to decrease…