Columbia Values Diversity Celebration

Columbia Values Diversity Celebration logo

The Columbia Values Diversity Celebration is an annual event hosted by the City of Columbia since 1994. This annual event celebrates the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The program includes live music at the breakfast followed by the presentation of the annual Columbia Values Diversity Awards, community speakers and artistic performances representing the rich diversity of our community. The Celebration is coordinated by the City’s Office of Cultural Affairs and enjoys the support of many community volunteers and sponsors.

The 2024 event has sold out of tickets. Please email [email protected]create new email to be included on the mailing list for next year’s Celebration. 

2024 Celebration: Event Details

“Honoring the Dream While Remembering Our Past”

The 2024 Columbia Values Diversity Celebration will take place on Wednesday, Jan, 24, 2024, from 7 – 9  a.m. at the Holiday Inn Expo Center, 2200 Interstate 70 Dr. SW, Columbia, MO. This year’s theme is “Honoring the Dream While Remembering Our Past.” 

The program will include performances by: 

  • Chris Stephens – World Musician providing breakfast music
  • Jabberwocky Studios dance troupe 
  • Columbia Community Gospel Choir
  • Compass’ Intergenerational Rock Band Choir
  • Morgan Matsiga (Ras Shumba) providing closing music


The event program will also include: 

  • Student Writings Program video
  • Journey Toward Inclusive Excellence update
  • Presentation of the Columbia Values Diversity Awards

Tickets for 2024 are no longer available. 

Breakfast Menu: Quiche with turkey sausage, breakfast potatoes, fruit garnish and assorted pastries for the table. Dietary accommodation needs can be indicated on the online order form. 

For more details regarding the 2024 Celebration, please contact the City’s Office of Cultural Affairs at [email protected]create new email or call 573.874.6387. 

Diversity Awards nominations and information

Current nominees

Nominees from previous years who are still under consideration for the 2024 Diversity Awards: Individual – Andrea Waner; Organization – Columbia Tigers Pathfinder Club, Granny’s House, and Trulaske College of Business. 

Nomination form

Deading for submissions was Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 by 5:00 p.m.

Diversity Award information

The City of Columbia would like to once again recognize those in our community who have had a significant impact in promoting appreciation for diversity and cultural understanding.

The Columbia Values Diversity Awards honors those whose work in our community exemplifies the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in fostering individual dignity, racial equality, understanding, peacemaking, and solving problems through non-violence.

The 2024 Columbia Values Diversity Awards, will be presented in two categories:

  • Individual/family award
  • Organization/group award

Current and previous award winners represent a broad spectrum of our community working in unique ways to promote diversity and cultural understanding.

For more information, contact the Office of Cultural Affairs at 573.874.6387. 

Student Writings Program

Each year students in grades 4-12 throughout the Columbia area submit original writings based on the Columbia Values Diversity Celebration theme. Several hundred pieces are submitted and roughly 50 are selected for publication in the Student Writings Booklet that is distributed at the breakfast.

2024 Program

The City of Columbia invites students in grades 4-12 to submit their original writings for possible publication in the 2024 Columbia Values Diversity Celebration Student Writings Booklet. Student may also be selected to be featured in a video produced by the City of Columbia. 

The theme for the 31st annual Columbia Values Diversity Celebration is: “Honoring the Dream While Remembering Our Past.”  Because Columbia is a city of many ethnic groups, religions, cultures, and opinions, it is important that all community members know that their story and their voices are important and valued. Submit an essay or poem describing how there is inclusion and acceptance in our community despite our differences.

Program Guidelines

  • Eligibility: Students in grades 4-12 who attend a school or are homeschooled in Columbia, MO are eligible.
  • Submission Guidelines: Student writing submission should not be more than one page typewritten or two pages handwritten.
  • Selection Criteria: A selection committee will choose writings based on the following criteria: artistic merit, relation to the theme, and quality of writing. Three or four students will also be selected with the opportunity to read their works and be featured in a video produced by the City of Columbia, which will be played at the Celebration and broadcast after the event.

View full program guidelines: 2024 Student Writing Guidelines (PDF)

Submission deadline has passed. It was Friday, November 17, 2023 by 5:00 p.m. 

View the 2023 Student Writings Program video below:

Previous Diversity Award winners

Award Inspiration

  • Gertrude Marshall Marble

1998 Award Winners

  • May Hall
  • Liz Schmidt

1999 Award Winners

  • Eliot Battle
  • Pamodzi, West Junior High School

2000 Award Winners

  • Wynna Faye Elbert
  • Church Women United

2001 Award Winners

  • Beulah Ralph
  • Rock Bridge High School Students

2002 Award Winners

  • Celestine Hayes
  • Rock Bridge Christian Church

2003 Award Winners

  • Almeta Crayton
  • Hickman High School Student Body

2004 Award Winners 

  • George Frissell *
  • Clyde Ruffin *
  • Muriel Battle **
  • George Brooks **
  • State Farm Insurance Companies

2005 Award Winners

  • Arvarh Strickland
  • Mid-Missouri Peaceworks
  • Earl and Clara Miles **

2006 Award Winners

  • Lorenzo Lawson
  • Show-Me Central Habitat for Humanity

2007 Award Winners

  • Mary Ratliff
  • Minority Men’s Network

2008 Award Winners

  • Jonette Ford *
  • Vellore S. Gopalaratnam *
  • Office of Creative Ministries

2009 Award Winners

  • James Robnett, Jr.
  • Minority Achievement Committee (MAC Scholars)

2010 Award Winners

  • Bill and Dolores Clark
  • Centro Latino

2011 Award Winners

  • C Richard “Dick” Blount
  • Center for Multicultural Research, Training and Consultation

2012 Award Winners

  • Ellis and Pam Ingram
  • Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital Equal Opportunity Employment Program

2013 Award Winners

  • Tyree Byndom
  • Job Point

2014 Award Winners

  • Julie Middleton
  • Ulysses S. Grant Elementary School

2015 Award Winners

  • Robert Harrison, Sr.
  • Columbia CROP Hunger Walk

2016 Award Winners

  • Barbra Horrell
  • Wilkes Boulevard United Methodist Church

2017 Award Winners

  • Bill Thompson *
  • Carla London *
  • Diversity Awareness Partnership

2018 Award Winners

  • Brian Jones *
  • Stacye Smith *
  • Veterans United Home Loans

2019 Award Winners

  • Kari Utterback
  • Room at the Inn

2020 Award Winners

  • Nikki McGruder
  • City of Refuge

 2021 Award Winners

  • Dr. Peter Stiepleman
  • Omega Psi Phi, Eta Alpha Chapter

 2022 Award Winners

  • Hsiao-Mei Wiedmeyer
  • Sharp End Heritage Committee

 2023 Award Winners

  • Dr. Lester Woods, Jr. 
  • Jabberwocky Studios

 * Co-Award Winners
** Selected for Special Recognition

Resources

The Office of Cultural Affairs has compiled a list of community resources for learning, local history, and local organizations and initiatives currently working to build a more inclusive community. 

Our commitment to inclusion

The City of Columbia has adopted the Principles of Community, an aspirational statement and pledge that reflects the ideals we seek and embodies the City’s commitment to creating a community that’s inclusive of all citizens who have differing perspectives, identities and lived experiences.

Contact the City’s Office of Cultural Affairs at OCA@CoMo.gov