Motorists on Paris road can see the new multi-million dollar community center being built near Sylvan and Towne in northeast Columbia’s Whitegate neighborhood, which has high poverty. United Community Builders is building the 22,500 square foot facility, which will be called the Beacon of Light. Senior Bishop and executive director Damian Dean and new development director Rochara Knight of United Community Builders joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable” program. United Community Builders is an offshoot of United Community Cathedral church. Bishop Dean tells listeners that church’s mission is to build and release capable people. He grew up in north St. Louis and came to Columbia to attend Mizzou. Ms. Knight is from Moberly, which is about 35 miles north of Columbia. Bishop Dean expects the Beacon of Light to open in early fall, weather permitting. He says the center’s purpose will be to inspire and to educate people to achieve in life, adding that northeast Columbia has been a resource desert. The Whitegate neighborhood has many children, and there’s no playground for two miles. He also credits donors for helping raise money for the center. “We will have a regulation-size high school gymnasium … basketball court. We’re really thankful for (former Mizzou basketball star) Laurence Bowers and (former Shelter Insurance chief executive officer) Matt Moore and (former Columbia Insurance Group chief executive officer) Gary Thompson for really pushing us during the capital campaign to get a regulation-sized gym,” Bishop Dean tells listeners. He says the center will also have a community room for the public to use, adding that the center will be open Monday-Saturday. Bishop Dean also emphasizes the importance of respect for authority as well as the importance of integrity, honesty and a work ethic. He says United Community Builders gets its funding from individual donors, business owners and grants:

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