Diversity Awards

The Columbia Values Diversity Celebration Planning Committee would like to once again recognize those in our community who have had significant impact in promoting appreciation for diversity and cultural understanding. Their 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.

For the 2025 Columbia Values Diversity Awards program, two awards will be presented:
· Individual/family award
· Organization/group award

We appreciate all who gave feedback to help us select this year's award recipients! These awards will be presented at the Columbia Values Diversity Celebration on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. More information about the event can be found a CoMoDiversityCelebration.com.

Brief introductions are below, and full Nomination Packets may be found on the right side of the page.

Individual/Family Award Nominees

Adejo Family: Chris and Kelechi Adejo arrived in the United States from Nigeria in 2011 with their two girls and the addition of their son in 2012. As this family graciously adjusted to the harsh reality of settling into a new environment, navigating the complexities of cultural relativity, and raising their kids, they didn’t hesitate to contribute to the development of their new and adopted community, Columbia, MO.

Dawn Zeterberg: From the very beginning, Dawn Zeterberg’s life was dedicated to not just making the world more accessible to her as a full-time wheelchair user due to her cerebral palsy, but making it a better place for everyone she met.

Elisa Glick: Elisa is a diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) consultant, speaker, researcher, author, and award-winning educator with over 20 years of experience in higher education. As someone who has experienced both the advantages of privilege and the challenges of bias, she is passionate about building cultures that fully welcome and value our differences.

Joanne Nelson: Joanne Nelson currently serves as the Director of the Boone County Community Services Department. Her extensive background in early childhood influences her passion to improve the lives of children, youth, and families.

Kenneth Freeman: Kenny has served this community since 2009 as a trainer, supervisor, and poll worker for the Boone County Clerk’s Office. He often says that his dedication as an election worker is to honor those who came before him and fought for the voting rights of all Americans.

Sunitha Bosecker: Sunitha is a counselor by trade and works with her clients of diverse backgrounds on a daily basis. She leads community discussions on DEI topics with the organization Journey to Inclusive Excellence, actively volunteers, helps to promote affordable housing for women and other minority groups, and gets the word out about community events through her efforts with The COMO 411.

Wiley Miller: Wiley Miller’s work in the Columbia community spans over five decades. His service includes involvement in the following organizations: Columbia City Ward Reapportionment Committee, treasurer of the Minority Men’s Network organization, board member for Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty, chairperson of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia’s Social Action Committee/Team, and Columbia/Boone County Community Remembrance Project.

Organization/Group Award Nominees

Crowned Counseling: Dr. Christine Woods opened Crowned Counseling with this mission: to expand access to culturally responsive mental health treatment to individuals seeking to heal from past and present experiences.

Flourish Initiative: The Flourish Initiative was created in 2019 with support from Veterans United Home Loans and Veterans United Foundation, in an effort to provide educational opportunities to students struggling with economic inequality.

Granny’s House: Granny’s House is a place to learn about and experience God’s love and tender mercies. Children of all ethnic and religious backgrounds are welcome.

Missouri Jobs with Justice: The biggest project that Missouri Jobs with Justice has been involved in recently was a ballot initiative that would provide workers in this area with paid sick time and raise the minimum wage from $12 to $15 an hour.

Mizzou Young Democratic Socialists of America: Mizzou YDSA was started as a student group at the University of Missouri. Since their inception, they have been an active voice for good on campus and in the community, highlighting various social, economic, and racial justice issues.

School of Service DBA Access Arts: Access Arts has enriched Columbia for over 50 years by promoting diversity and fostering cultural understanding through its inclusive arts programs.

Youth Empowerment Collective: The Youth Empowerment Collective is dedicated to building character and self-esteem in the youth of the community through education, mentorship and life skills application.