About

Unite of Southwest Missouri, Inc. is a Missouri-based 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.

Mission Statement:
Promoting the ideas and actions that improve the overall health and economic well-being of Black families in Springfield, Missouri.

Vision Statement:
To see Black families in Springfield, Missouri flourish across all aspects of life, reflecting an example of health, economic prosperity, and opportunity for future generations.

Our Work and Areas of Focus:
News & Information Content We provide news and informational content for and about the Black community that informs, inspires, and empowers
Health & Mental Health We influence & adopt health policies and practices that consistently improve health outcomes for Black residents in Springfield, Missouri.
Economic Development We promote economic success for Black families through innovative solutions in financial literacy, business ownership, and investing.
Arts & History We use the arts as a method to teach historical and educational content in a fun and engaging way.

The organization accomplishes its mission by operating two major programs:

UniteNews Magazine — A monthly news and information resource targeting African American families in Springfield, Missouri. The UniteNews Magazine was founded in 1988 by co-founders Mark Dixon and Samuel Knox.

The UniteNews publication covers local, regional, and national news, highlighting narratives that connect, inspire, and foster empowerment. This family-oriented publication caters to a diverse readership spanning all generations, including children and senior adults. At its core, UniteNews is on a mission to cultivate understanding and reverence for the talents, resources, and opportunities within the African American community.

Springfield Multicultural Festival — The Springfield Multicultural Festival is an annual arts and community resource exposition designed to bring people and opportunity together —linking diverse community needs with diverse community resources.

The festival features two main components: It has performance stages featuring artists and groups representing a variety of international cultures; the second component is the community resource expo including over 50 exhibitors who share information on a wide spectrum of topics such as employment opportunities, health care access, financial and educational services and various other resources from small businesses and area craft makers. A variety of festival foods and beverages are available for purchase in the Food Court area. There is a small admission fee and the event is open to the public.

The Springfield Multicultural Festival has become a cultural tradition in Springfield and the surrounding Southwest Missouri area where culturally diverse heritages are celebrated each year on the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Holiday.