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You Don't Say: 'As Life Impacts Us, How Do We Choose To Respond?'

Hillary Tan
/
KBIA
Columbia Public Schools MAC Director Annelle Whitt speaks with long-time Columbian Barbra Horrell about growing up and life in Columbia, and the struggles they faced as black women navigating executive careers. The two spoke at Douglass High School.

Barbra Horrell is a life-long Columbian who graduated in 1959, with the last segregated class at Douglass High School. She went on to become the first black student from Columbia to get a full ride in scholarships to MU, and then spent 45 years with the university before retiring. Horrell is a key advocate for historic preseration and education in Columbia with the Sharp End Heritage Committee. 

For KBIA’s You Don’t Say series, Horrell sat down for a talk with Annelle Whitt. Whitt grew up in Long Island, New York, and after spending 25 years as an insurance executie she now directs the MAC scholars program for Columbia Public Schools. 

The two spoke at Douglass High school, where they discussed growing up and going to work in Columbia — and the struggles they faced as black women navigating high-powered careers.

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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