Community leader James ‘Jim’ Whitt passes away
COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ)
James 'Jim' Whitt passed away Monday night, according to city officials.
The president of the Regional Economic Development Inc. (REDI) sent an email to the board of directors notifying members about his death.
"REDI staff and clients have been extremely fortunate to work with him these last several years, and he will be dearly missed. His legacy and contribution to our community will be felt for generations to come," Stacey Button wrote. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Whitt family during this difficult time."
Whitt was known throughout the community, serving as the director of Columbia's Supplier Diversity Program. Whitt and the city created the program to help people who wanted to become entrepreneurs
Jay Sparks, the entrepreneurship coordinator at REDI, said that Whitt has built a legacy in Columbia.
"James was steadfast in his commitment to minority and women-owned businesses here in Columbia. A lot of those businesses are entrepreneur-based. A lot of those are mom-and-pop family-owned businesses that are really just trying to make a better life for themselves and their families," Sparks said.
Others remembered Whitt for helping bring the importance back to streets like East Walnut with the Sharp End project. The different signs placed throughout Columbia tell the history of black-owned businesses that once stood there.
Mayor Brian Treece said Whitt was always thinking of ways to improve the city.
"He was always thinking about ways to better connect all parts of our community with all the opportunities in our community," said Treece.
Whitt's program will award some women-owned and minority businesses with money during the COMO Seed Grant Awards Tuesday night.
"We're gonna feel Jim's loss, as well, but I know for them, everyone looked up to Jim and we hold his family in our hands and hearts today," Treece said.
Whitt also served on the Columbia Board of Education from 2010 until 2019. He served as Vice President from 2013 to 2015 and President from 2015 to 2017.
Peter Stiepleman, the former superintendent of Columbia Public Schools, said Whitt set an example for all races of children.
"There's nothing more impressive when you're walking with Mr. Whitt and he would engage with kids and it was important for kids of color to see a board leader, so not just a board member, but a board leader or someone who was vice president or president of the Board of Education who looked like them," Stiepleman said.
