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one navy blue and one yellow. The background features decorative leaves and abstract patterns in a colorful and modern style.

Credit Unions vs. Banks 101

There are many flavors of ice cream. Some people prefer chocolate, while others crave vanilla or maybe strawberry.  The same principle applies to the variety of banks and credit unions in Columbia, says Joe Miller, Central Missouri regional president of First State Community Bank.  “Banks and credit unions both serve a unique and important purpose […]

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and worship lyrics are projected on screens. The setting is warmly lit.|Four people stand in a sunny field. One woman bows her head

Faith In Community

One of the many perks of living in a college town like Columbia is the great diversity — diversity in food, culture, music, and religion. The yearly influx of professors, doctors, and students from every part of the world makes it possible for many faith traditions to thrive in Columbia, from Ba’hai to Hinduism to Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and beyond. This rich tapestry of faith makes Columbia a global community that offers open doors to anyone who is looking for them.

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ribs

A Family Affair

On occasion, when meeting someone for the first time, there is an immediate level of comfort and authenticity that makes it seem like you’ve always been acquainted. For me, the affable, enveloping handshake of Gerald Nathan Sr. certainly felt like that of an old friend rather than someone I only just met.  Sitting in the

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while the other stands nearby. Both wear black T-shirts with colorful text and jeans. The woman speaking has curly hair and the other has long braids and wears a mask.|Two people sit in folding chairs by a parked vehicle

155 Years of Black Freedom

On June 19, 1865, Union Army General Gordon Granger arrived on the island of Galveston, Texas, with over 2,000 federal troops and announced a federal proclamation that declared all enslaved Black people free. This day became commonly known as “Juneteenth,” and would be celebrated to commemorate the liberation of the last enslaved Black people in

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each filled with a different skin tone ranging from light to dark.|A woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiles at the camera. She is wearing a gray top and silver hoop earrings

Black in Columbia

I arrived in Columbia on January 12 of 2015. I was 16 and had moved from Zimbabwe with my family. My arrival to Columbia was important not only as my first in-person interaction with America, but also as the beginning of a life lived in an environment where race more frequently colors my interpersonal interactions.

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