COLUMBIA — The Rev. Robert B. Stewart Jr. will never forget the lunch he had with former Kansas City Mayor Emanuel Cleaver II six years ago in a Chinese restaurant in Washington, D.C.
Stewart thought to himself, “This is a black male, a pastor, a mayor and a congressman. Is this possible?” It was this lunch, Stewart said, that made running for office — and making a difference — seem possible.
Stewart is looking to fill the First Ward Council seat. Ginny Chadwick, who was the First Ward councilmember, announced her resignation during a Columbia City Council meeting on Jan. 5.
“I was coaching my boys when I saw on my phone that she is going to resign,” Stewart said.
Stewart, 35, is the Hickman High School freshman basketball head coach. He is also a substitute teacher for Columbia Public Schools and a pastor for North Street United Methodist Church in Marshall and Elmwood United Methodist Church in Elmwood.
Stewart has a passion for youth and for equality for minorities. He believes that “education and communication are the beginnings of every change.”
“I love teaching,” he said. “I love the look on kids’ faces when they finally get something. I enjoy seeing kids improve, not just in grades, but in how they treat each other.”
But Stewart is concerned that some minority youth might have the mindset that they are not good enough to be leaders with few examples of minority leadership around them. He pointed out that the minority representation of students in the Columbia district is greater than that of classroom teachers.
Stewart said his world opened up when he saw Cleaver working in a leadership position.
“He had that much of an impact on me,” Stewart said. “I could imagine what it can do for an 8-year-old kid in a minority position.”
Stewart grew up in Columbia and got his undergraduate degree at MU in middle school math and social studies in 2003. He also played basketball for MU from 2002 to 2003.
After working in Kansas City and pursuing a four-year master’s degree in divinity at Saint Paul School of Theology, he came back to Columbia in 2012.
Stewart has been an active member of the Human Services Commission and the Kiwanis Club, a global volunteer organization. He said his experience on the commission made him realize the importance of effective communication.
“We can get things done if we communicate correctly and effectively — really listen to people, regardless what they look like, regardless of what stereotypes society puts on people, just listen to them first,” he said.
Growing up in Columbia and living in the First Ward helped him become who he is and accomplish his goals, Stewart said.
“I am very thankful for those people,” he said. “I think this is the best place for me to help others. This is just a way of giving back.”
A special election to replace Chadwick will take place on April. 7. Stewart is in the process of collecting signatures of support to file a petition of candidacy.
This story is published on Columbia Missourian, a Columbia local newspaper.
Jinghong Chen 