A grant from Give Black would allow her to market better and reach an even wider audience. Copyright 2023 Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. So far, Teachers Like Me has helped 15 Black teachers. If you have an idea for a column, please read the guidelines for contributors. Kansas City, KS 66101 But audit records show BEU had multiple accounting problems from 2004 through 2006 with the city's Housing and Economic Development Finance Corporation or HEDFC. q = []; Phone: (816) 666-9407, Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Center (MOPTAC) The accusations come in a now-dismissed eviction case current Lincoln Building owner Henry Service filed against BEU in March, 2018. by Ashley Clarke, Center for Public Integrity July 27, 2021, This and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
. Thats one reason Trinity Davis started Teachers Like Me. I was attending a reception with Sisters Circle of Greater Kansas City, an organization which had awarded a large grant to Awesome Ambitions. Phone: (816)471-4898 I remember white tenants walking along the perimeter of the room, making their way to the rooftop pool and giving confused, annoyed looks at the sofas packed with well-clad Black women. That question has always felt easy to answer. Theyre not even ever thinking about a bank loan. Morris said the rest of the homes in her community have absent owners who maintain the homes poorly. If Kansas City prioritized programs which explicitly supported Black youth beginning with increased funding, but also publicity, visibility, and community support the battle for equity would feel a lot less defeating. Banking is a system, law is a system, education is a system and theres this myth of entrepreneurship and what that really is thats a system too.. CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS The African-American contribution to the fame and fortune of Kansas City is indelible. Preview what's available here: Fax: (816) 442-8682 Amplifying Black voices through news that matters. If youre looking to organize against the current, unstable political atmosphere, heres a list of 28 active organizations that service a range of black communities. 4200 Little Blue Parkway, Suite 590 Black Lives Matter was formed in response to the, BAJIs efforts to unite black immigrants and African Americans is extremely crucial to overcoming the current, Blackout curates a unique way to protest the repetitive inattention to the work of black artists by tuning out from events like the Academy Awards. I practiced coming up with, and pitching, a business with a group of other girls, formulated a personal elevator pitch with the help of reporters at 41 Action News, and met several Kansas City-area women of color who mentored me through the college application process. "For the life of me, I can't explain why they did what they did," Wood said in describing the sale. At the meeting, secretly bugged by authorities, Thomas revealed how skimming works inside Nevada casinos. In his 2012 YouTube video, Chester Thompson talked about BEU's debt on those housing projects when he took over the organization in 2007. Naomi Nix, who teaches English at Lincoln College Preparatory Academy, was part of the first cohort to join Teachers Like Me. Kansas City is becoming more welcoming for black women who want to start their own businesses. Blackout curates a unique way to protest the repetitive inattention to the work of black artists by tuning out from events like the Academy Awards. I, and other young Black people, need to feel that Kansas City is for us. The 41 Action News Investigators, on multiple occasions over several months, have gone to BEUs office in the Lincoln Building seeking comment. Website: www.buildersassociation.com, Unified Contractors of Kansas City (UCKC; unification of Hispanic Contractors Association of Greater Kansas City and Minority Contractors Association of Greater Kansas City) Randolph said the Heartland Business Chamber of Commerce ramped up partnerships with other organizations doing similar work during the pandemic. Let us know. Courtesy of Larry Henry. Contact: Jauqua Wilkins There are no source documents, contracts, orders or other to show where that money went.". I remember white tenants walking along the perimeter of the room, making their way to the rooftop pool and giving confused, annoyed looks at the sofas packed with well-clad Black women. Generating Income For Tomorrow, or GIFT, aims to close the racial wealth gap in Kansas City by investing in Black-owned businesses when banks wont. It's leading up to the Juneteenth holiday . The second annual Give Black KC event,. Phone: (913) 492-5922 Morris said $10,000 from Give Black KC would cover about 40% of renovating an abandoned house, moving The Greenline Initiative closer to turning over another home. According to Policy Link and the USC Program for Environmental and Regional Equity's Profile of the Kansas City Region, "There is a looming skills and education gap for the region's African Americans and Latinos, whose rates of postsecondary education are lower than the share of future jobs that will require that level of education." I want to be around for a very long time. Cotton said. We seek to support the start and growth of new businesses through programs, policies, and practices that give rise to equitable access to entrepreneurship. All rights reserved. This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990-N. We always hear a lot about, you know, taking care of ourselves, but its so important that we take care of each other. We Are Here, founded by singer Alicia Keys, is a partnership of organizations working together to end poverty, oppression and homelessness. Contact: Leonard Graham It provides scholarships to inner-city students based on character and motivation, not strictly test scores. And thats why Give Black is so important.. Our team is made up of connectors and doers who dream big, solve problems together with the communities we serve and take calculated risks to drive results. The Pennsylvania Prison Society is a long-standing organization dedicated to reforming the criminal justice system. This is the start of Give Black KC. According to Service and other tenants, its rare the office is used at all. Phone: (816)531-5253 816-800-5025 Peachtree. Speaking from an upstairs window, Denmon said, "Get off my property.". 6025 Prospect Teachers Like Me focuses heavily on recruiting, developing and retaining Black teachers. Want to explore Waldo? . We continue Ewing Kauffmans legacy by supporting institutions and organizations that eliminate barriers for all people to drive cultural, social, and economic impact in Kansas City. Ruby Jean's Juicery Cut50 is a project by The DreamCorps that aims to reduce the number of people incarcerated through awareness campaigns like #DayofEmpathy and #ClemencyNOW. But Awesome Ambitions needs funding in order to provide these experiences to girls. THE FUTURE OF US IS ONE OF THE NON-PROFITS CHOSEN FOR FUNDING IT PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS TO INNER CITY STUDENTS BASED ON CHARACTER ANDOT MIVATION NOT STRICTLY TEST SCORES A LOT OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS HERE IN THE KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI. Kansas City, MO 64105 Payments were not supported by invoices or other documentation. KCUR serves the Kansas City region with breaking news and powerful storytelling. According to Ford, BEU has that office in the Lincoln Building rent free for five years as part of the undisclosed settlement of the organizations lawsuit with Service. This is Give Black KC Week a fundraiser for Black-led organizations in the metro.Residents can help raise capital for underserved communities trying to build a better Kansas City. This is Give Black KC Week a fundraiser for Black-led organizations in the metro. Kansas City, MO 64109 When I spoke with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas in January about my plans to move, he told me we could build an Atlanta here. I smiled at his enthusiasm to convince me to stay but found I couldnt match his confidence. Get started with eight dining recommendations from local foodie Kasim Hardaway. Stay current with seasonal attractions, deals and more by signing up to receive our newsletter. So, we're trying to step in that piece and encourage kids to go to college and seek higher education," said Brenan Latimer, co-founder of The Future of Us.Organizers believe working together brings change. Try a low commitment monthly plan today. All this week, the nonprofit Generating Income for Tomorrow is raising money to support five Black-led organizations. Of the 107,000 residents who live east of Troost, more than 75% are Black. According to Service and former BEU Board Chairman William Harris, no elevator work was ever done. Banks can be reluctant to lend to Black-owned businesses and nonprofits. PO Box 1312 document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time. That's because right now, health care organizations in Kansas City are not aligned in how they collect data around race, ethnicity, [] The 100 Black Men of Greater Kansas City is an all-volunteer organization and was formed in 2006, as one of 116 chapters nationally and internationally with over 10,000 members serving 100,000 youth participants. 1710 Paseo Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? We can pool resources in order to better serve our community.. Copyright 2019 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. With over a million members, Color of Change works to end racial injustice manifested in the media, economy and criminal justice system. Contact: Teshauna Dawkins In a document dated Oct. 10, 2017, Harris claims $69,000 was given to a small roofing contractor to fix the elevator in the Lincoln Building. For more information contact the DWMBE program at (816) 513-1836 or hrdgeneral_inquiries@kcmo.org. It's anooey-gooey mixture of aged cheddar, cognacboursincheese with lobster claw and knuckle meat, all on toasted sourdough., I live dangerously close toIsland Spiceand consider it my tropical culinary getaway when I'm cravingCaribbeanfood. d.head.appendChild(e); Learn More With funding from prominent Black organizations, Perry's operation grew to be the first hospital owned and . KANSAS CITY, Mo. Barnes previously mentored Black women and girls, but she said her mentees faced bigger challenges than she could address with mentoring alone. The Nia Project offers holistic services and advocacy work for Black women and girls in Kansas City. I remember thinking, as soon as I stepped into that place [One Light]: I do not belong here. Rapper Common founded this organization in the 1990s to provide greater opportunities for under-serviced children through mentorship, community service and the arts. Contact: info@midamericalgbt.org Know of other businesses that belong on this list? Browse many more Black-owned businesses and restaurants in the Kansas City area below. UMKC Innovation Center Phone: (816) 631-1700 We need more initiatives like this. Side hustles that dont turn into legitimate businesses are a problem caused by the education system, Smith said. If Im going to consider Kansas City my long-term home in the future, there are several changes that would have to occur first. And it feels like it never will be. Let us know on Instagram or via email. Business education and financial literacy is an integral first step (but not more important than access to capital). There are 16crime prevention organizations in the greater Kansas Citymetro area, including the cities of Kansas City, Lenexa, and Overland Park within the states of Kansas and Missouri. Click on the link in that email Saatva Mattress Review: Our Pick for the Best Overall Bed of 2023, We Found 12 Cute Planters and Flower Pots That Cost Less Than $25, Here's Where to Watch and Stream Marvel's 'Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' Online. TWOC offers support and resources for trans women of color, a highly marginalized community. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Skip to: You can reach her on Twitter @jambojiang. **GREAT PART TIME INCOME. Through partnerships with other local organizations, WeCode students can build projects and receive stipends to gain real-world experience. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. The following list provides information for contacting some minority and women business organizations and publications. "We determined that the project wasn't going to be completed in a timely fashion and so we basically terminated the contract," Wood, who now serves as director of the Neighborhoods and Housing Services Department, said. Smith rattled off a list of resources available to business owners in Kansas City: The panelists emphasized the importance of business owners knowing where to turn to for support. However, as my final years of college approach, one question looms larger and larger: Do I return to Kansas City, or head off to Atlanta? I want to live in a city that values its Black population. Editor: Elizabeth Lopez I remember the barn with a large Black power fist painted on it; wandering chickens and produce growing outside and greenery and tanks filled with tilapia inside. Atlanta-based organization Sister Love commits itself to educating women of color about reproductive health, safe sex and HIV/AIDS. e = d.createElement("script"); This is jumping off point to begin financial sustainability for these organizations, he said. Fax: (816)471-3064, 2ms2KC Bilingual Publication Thompson said he was not happy with the sale, adding, "The Lincoln Building didn't get handled the way it should've when I left.". GIFT is partnering with the United Way for this campaign. 4220 Shawnee Mission Pkwy #350b North Kansas City, MO 64116 The summer program is scheduled to launch in 2022. We will help you if you want to be helped but you have to meet us halfway, she said. Im not the only one. On the UrbnHub Facebook group, Martins promotes entrepreneurship resources, vaccination events, school events, food banks, employment fairs and other resources to her 477 members. SO WHAT THES CHANGE? Fax:(816)421-5247, The Community Voice Phone: (816) 235-1643 When I spoke with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas in January about my plans to move, he told me we could "build an Atlanta here." In addressing Harris' claims, Lyman said in an email response to the 41 Action News Investigators there was "no malfeasance or illegal activity by me.". Wichita, KS 67214 The program is open to all, and during my two years as an Awesome Girl the participants were predominantly Black, Latina, mixed-race, and low-income. Fairway Corporate Center Contact: Kim Randolph The 100 Black Men of Greater Kansas City is an all-volunteer organization and was formed in 2006, as one of 116 chapters nationally and internationally with over 10,000 members serving 100,000 youth participants. Randolph added that people have to understand the difference between creating a job and starting a business. One of the best ways to become educated is to get involved in black-led organizations across the city, she . By the time Thompson retired as board chair in March 2016, Thompson claimed the BEU owned the Lincoln Building free and clear. Kansas City, MO 64105 816-234-4784. The Kansas City Public Library has resources to check out to learn more about Black entrepreneurs throughout Kansas City history, including this Kansas City directory of Black owned. Phone: (816) 842-3804, Kansas City Globe Newspaper (weekly) 11249 Strang Line Rd. Black Girls Code is on a mission to increase the number of black women working in computer programming. The NAACP is a long standing civil rights organization that works on a broad scale to achieve racial justice for citizens in urban communities. Lora McDonald, director of the Kansas City-based social justice organization More2, . We need to start normalizing building essential relationships. Richardson said. And truly, its unjust for the burden of change to fall on Black youth when inequity is consistently maintained by those with power and privilege. On Sept. 18, 2014, John A. Our hometown needs to invest in, make space for, and give its Black community resources to lead or my young, diverse generation will take our talent, leadership, and drive to create equitable, anti-racist communities elsewhere. I wouldn't have stood for it," Wood said. These efforts require funding and, in some cases, volunteer support. Time and time again, black Americans have often come together in vulnerable times through mobilization. Contact: Robin Norris Now, how will your actions answer? Kansas City needs more of these programs made by and for underrepresented and historically under-resourced youth, but it also needs to support programs that already exist. 816-513-1313
When the 41 Action News Investigators asked Wood why the city would agree to give money to fix the elevator and five years later, still hasn't inspected it after the permit ran out, he replied, "I don't know. The school system is different, the policing system is different.. This is Give Black KC Week a fundraiser for Black-led organizations in the metro. Get a weekly dive into inequality in America with our Watchdog newsletter delivered to your inbox. The organization focuses on teachers who are in the first three years of their careers, because thats when teachers need the most support. The former executive director was terminated in March 2003.". I actually haven't been in the building myself in a long time.". Give Black KC did not take place last year because of the pandemic, but has returned with a focus on philanthropic redlining"the systemic lack of funding for Black-led nonprofits. Despite these red flags, the city continued to fund BEU. Higher wind gusts possible.. It's a week-long campaign to raise grant money supporting black-owned businesses and nonprofits. Overland Park, KS 66210 Just knowing that I could come into a program that already secured the housing that takes off that first piece of 'Oh my gosh, where am I gonna go?'. A lot of people, they dont have a business, theyve created a job. Theyre not just existing and barely making it.. In 64128, the zip code I live in, only 47.9% of my neighbors own their homes.. Give Black KC would help cover her administrative costs and hire a part-time assistant. I produce daily conversations to uplift and inspire the people of the Kansas City area to make the world a better place. For additional information on Black-owned businesses, vendors and resources in Kansas City, consult our partners at, Know of other businesses that belong on this list? And those same city audit records show BEU had accounting issues every one of those years, including two years when BEU failed to submit a timely report for the auditor's review. ALP is a New York-based organization that dedicates itself to achieving social and economic equality for LGBT communities of color. "We've settled the litigation. It would help tremendously, Watson said. I remember walking into that building with front-desk security who closely scrutinized and sharply questioned me and the two Black women who walked in with me. 1475 Walnut Street Contact: Carlos Gomez The first extension, in February 2015, gave BEU an additional $71,500 for that purpose. Blue Springs, MO 64013-1312 Kansas City, MO 64108 Each of our organizations represents a different yet important aspect of our Black community, and by supporting and uplifting each of those components of the entire community, we uplift it as well, Morris said. Black Lives Matter was formed in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman in 2013 and quickly became a national movement to end police brutality. to get more GuideStar Nonprofit Profile data today! Editor: Donna Stewart AAPC is New York-based organization focused on resolving issues of domestic violence, substance abuse, unemployment and HIV/AIDS in black communities. 100BMGKC has structured their mentoring programs to work to close the educational gap for African American students in Kansas City and to equip, enrich and empower young men so they can make the choices necessary to lead healthy, successful and satisfying lives. Lenexa, KS 66215, Urban League of Greater Kansas City WeCodeKC gives Black children exposure to computer science. HEDFC, Bank of America and the U.S, Economic Development Administration are among the agencies and businesses which have filed long standing active claims against BEU. Harris also states in the court record other BEU leaders forged his name on fraudulent board resolutions and misrepresented his participation in other organization matters. The BEU is one of dozens of non-governmental agencies which receive funding through the city. As the Three Light apartments are constructed, and plans for Four, Five, and Six Light apartments are underway, I wonder if young Black people in Kansas City feel the same way as I do. Owner Nika Cotton said her shop provides comfort and self-care for the Black community. Atlanta is a hub of Black history, culture, and opportunity a vital fact for me as a Black woman majoring in African and African-American Studies. The same audit report says another BEU contractor had complete and unlimited access to the agency's bank account containing Community Services Block Grant funds which is federal money. Kansas City, MO 64109 Kansas City, MO 64106 African-American Planning Commission Eligible businesses must employ between three and 20 people, be located in an "economically vulnerable community," and have been financially hurt by COVID-19 disruptions.