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You Don't Say: 'I Think We'll Grow Together'

Hillary Tan
/
KBIA
Sharp End Heritage Committee Chair James Whitt (left) spoke with Second Baptist Church Deacon Larry Monroe for this edition of 'You Don't Say.' The two spoke at the offices of REDI, at the site of the original Sharp End district.

Having grown up in Columbia, Second Missionary Baptist Church Deacon Larry Monroe has seen how the city has changed over the years. He remembers the breaking down of segregation, urban renewal, and the social barriers that still remained while attending Douglass High School.

In this edition of KBIA’s conversation series “You Don’t Say,” Monroe sits down with the City of Columbia’s James Whitt. Whitt first learned about the Sharp End business district from Monroe in Monroe’s Sunday School class at Second Baptist Church. Whitt was inspired by the history and now works to preserve its legacy through the Sharp End Heritage Committee.

In this conversation, Whitt and Monroe talk about memories of growing up in Columbia - the best, the worst, and what Columbia might look like in the future.

The conversation begins with one of Deacon Monroe’s fondest memories: playing on the football team at Douglass High School.

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.
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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