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You Don't Say: 'So Many Of Our African-American Leaders Have Their Roots In The Church'

Hillary Tan
/
KBIA
Columbia pastor and First Ward Councilmember Clyde Ruffin (left) spoke with fellow pastor and former school board member David Ballenger for this edition of KBIA's 'You Don't Say' series about the black experience in Columbia.

David Ballenger has been the pastor at Log Providence Baptist Church in Columbia since 1984. He’s a familiar face in the city – he grew up in Columbia, went through its public schools, and played on its football teams.

Ballenger would later get his start at IBM, where he worked until he retired after 30 years on the job. Ballenger has served on the Columbia School Board and various hospital boards for years.

For KBIA’s You Don’t Say series, Ballenger met with fellow pastor and Ward 1 City Councilmember Clyde Ruffin to talk faith and family across Ballenger’s kitchen table.

They discussed finding their faith, public service and leadership, and raising families in Columbia.

You Don’t Say is a special project commissioned by the City of Columbia’s bicentennial Como200 task force. It’s co-produced by the Sharp End Heritage Committee and KBIA.

Janet Saidi is a producer and professor at KBIA and the Missouri School of Journalism.
Trevor Hook is a reporter, producer and morning anchor for KBIA 91.3 born and raised in New Franklin, Missouri. He graduated from the University of Missouri with both a Master's degree in Audio Journalism in 2020 and a Bachelor's degree in Convergence Journalism in 2018.
T’Keyah Thomas is a spoken word poet and community organizer based in Columbia, MO. In her role as announcer and producer for KBIA, you’re likely to catch TK on-air during the day, or moderating a panel on art and local history.
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