Meet Ursula Kemp | Business Owner and Nonprofit Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ursula Kemp and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ursula, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
“The path of the just is like the first light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until the full light of day.” Proverbs 4:18 I believe with all my heart that our best days lie ahead of us, not behind us. We may take a moment to revel in the “glory days” of years gone by, but the best perspective is to see life ahead through the “windshield” and not through the rearview mirror. Though it may seem like small increments, I believe each day we are getting stronger and smarter than the day before. The path before us lights brighter and brighter – even when we don’t feel like it. This is a promise I stand on even when things seem dark. The future is bright and each day is an opportunity to shine brighter than the day before!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The nonprofit For Columbus exists to mobilize the faith community to love, care for and serve the city of Columbus. One of the ways I’ve had an opportunity to spearhead these efforts is through bringing awareness to the many issues our city faces, mobilizing prayer across denominations and ethnicities as well as launching a school adoption campaign to see every school covered in a partnership with the faith community. Perhaps the greatest story that came out of this decade-long effort happened during COVID. Over 150 remote learning locations were mobilized in the faith community to serve public school students during the day. With such a large scale response from churches and nonprofits across Columbus, we saw over 30,000 meals distributed, thousands of students served, and resources such as tablets and scholarships were donated. Story after story came in of how these students were positively impacted with the remote learning help, assistance with homework and a safe environment to go during COVID. To this day the faith community partnerships with schools continue and efforts are being made to see every school covered with this type of community engagement. The unity across denominations, ethnicities and backgrounds to pursue the common goal of serving our students was such a powerful force. This story has become a catalyst for more citywide united efforts in the faith community tacking issues such as human trafficking, homelessness, affordable housing and more. We are better together and this is just one of many examples of this truth!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d definitely visit the Book Loft in German Village. This historic bookstore is such a treat to visit as it seems like their rooms go on and on forever! I’d also visit one of the many metro parks in Columbus for a picnic. My favorite restaurant is El Arepazo Latin Grill. This fantastic Venezuelan restaurant serves THE BEST EVER fish tacos.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate this Shoutout to all the members of the Pray for Columbus network. I’m deeply grateful for all the prayers, support and encouragement I’ve received through the years!

Website: forcolumbus.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/for.columbus/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/for-columbus/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/forcolumbus

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@forcolumbus

Image Credits
GP Creative