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. 107 W. 10th St. African-American Community in Kansas City From art and music to food and sports, the contributions of Kansas City's African-American community are vital to the city's culture. Lora McDonald, director of the Kansas City-based social justice organization More2, . 1701 So. There are no source documents, contracts, orders or other to show where that money went.". This is a skill set that they could get a certification in and work and get jobs making $70,000 to 80,000 a year. I am not interested in remaining in a city that is not made for me. We reached out and looked for partners so that we were not trying to be the end-all be-all but if we [could] find partners that had resources that would work that we could come together and say, hey Im going to send these people over to you I need you to do this, Randolph said. Kansas City needs to provide more resources directly to low-income people to create true economic mobility. The organization continues to mobilize and amplify national dialogue around state-sanctioned violence. "I was the only one who argued vehemently against the sale of the organization's greatest asset and iconic home for decades," Harris stated in the court testimony. 6025 Prospect "I was told that the BEU only had two months before it would face foreclosure and not enough income to pay its utilities. }; Many communities have business associations and chambers of commerce. An e-mail from Bullington to Lorek shows BEU spent less than $24,000 of the $100,000 in federal money and less than $39,000 of the $71,500 in Kansas City sales tax money fixing up the Lincoln Building. She previously covered City Hall for The Kansas City Star and joined The Star in January 2020 as a breaking news . Box 411511 Fax: (816) 471-8543, American Indian Enterprise & Business Council Phone: (816) 472-6767, Kansas City Womens Chamber of Commerce Fundraiser this week will help Kansas City Black-led organizations, TO BUILD A BETTER, KANSAS CITY. I dont hear about those opportunities very often in Kansas City. A lot of people, they dont have a business, theyve created a job. Here are five major takeaways from the forum. The contractor generated its own invoices and paid itself from the agency's account without agency personnel involvement. Teachers Like Me focuses heavily on recruiting, developing and retaining Black teachers. 5100 Rockhill Rd. Olathe superintendent spars with Kansas Republicans over why so many K-12 teachers are leaving. 1715 E. 18th St. "We've settled the litigation. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Being the only professor of color, it was a big burden of working with Black students and teaching future teachers of color.. Ajia Morris and her husband started the Greenline Initiative as a response to the challenges they faced as a young Black professional couple looking for housing on Kansas Citys east side. Uncommon Voices columns bring new perspectives and opinions on topics related to the Kauffman Foundations work. If it is your nonprofit, add geographic service areas to create a map on your profile. 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. 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. That term comes from the practice of marking racial makeup on a map and denying financial services to Black neighborhoods. I had never imagined Black empowerment looking like a nonprofit urban farm but visiting Nile Valley changed the way I imagined how inner-city Black folks could attain a place in the economic cycle. And the poverty rate is 36%. Sponsored by the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, NBWJI centers its mission on empowering black women and girls in the criminal justice system. Stop the gentrification of neighborhoods near Troost and develop the neighborhood for those that already live there: keep it affordable, remodel whats there, and bring in businesses that the current residents need and want. My vision is to get past the safety net, Barnes said. The project comes from the work that founder and president Terri Barnes has been doing for 20 years. Harris also claims that loan was concealed from him in his role as board chairman. In a Black youth panel conducted by the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, other Black students expressed that they also have to look elsewhere in places like Chicago or New Mexico to find opportunities built for them. We need to start normalizing building essential relationships. Richardson said. It all starts with access to opportunity for people to improve their lives. Phone: (816)472-5246 BEU paid the contractor in excess of actual expenses incurred. In our community, we have a lot of violence, we have a lot of poverty, we have a lot of broken infrastructure, Barnes said. 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. "You give a little you get a little bit, you give a little, and we don't want you to diminish or discount the impact that can have," Gorman said. Other panelists echoed that as a community service provider it is important to know how other organizations can help so as not to turn into a one-stop shop. 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. Kansas City, MO 64105 Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? In BEU's case, the city money in question comes from the federal community block grant program. Jamie Jiang is a news intern for KCUR 89.3. d.head.appendChild(e); The future of us is one of the nonprofits chosen for funding. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. A Kansas City non-profit with the mission of promoting economic development in the city's urban core is under federal investigation. I watched my brother chase chickens with the other young kids and tried to grapple with the fact that I was standing in the middle of a nonprofit community garden and urban farm at 29th and Wabash. BAJIs efforts to unite black immigrants and African Americans is extremely crucial to overcoming the current anti-immigrant rhetoric thats been gaining momentum since President Donald Trumps campaign. if (w.amptravel) return; 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. This organization helps bring more Black teachers into Kansas City schools By Steve Kraske , Reginald David Published March 1, 2023 at 11:56 AM CST Listen 14:41 Ways To Subscribe Courtesy. I first fell in love withRuby JeansJuicerywhen I heard the story behind its namesakethe grandmother of the owner and operator, Chris Goode. Phone: (316) 681-1155 The death of Trayvon Martin spurred the inspiration for Million Hoodies, a coalition of young people organizing to put an end to mass incarceration and the criminalization of young black men. 105 Haag Hall Contact: Christine Campbell 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. 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. Women-led businesses normally don't get funding from funders and things like that, Buckner said. Phone: (913) 220-0281, Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce It's about equality but also equity. Need the ability to download nonprofit data and more advanced search options? She also says Special Agent Lorek has interviewed her as part of his ongoing investigation, specifically asking her about BEU. Fax: (816) 442-8682 Both are slow-cooked until they are fall off the bone tender then served with red beans & rice and steamed cabbage., Go to theKC Daiquiri Shopand preparefor a brain freeze you will actually enjoy. It isnt meant for me. A 41 Action News Investigation reveals federal officials are looking at how the Black Economic Union of Greater Kansas City spent tax dollars. It provides scholarships to inner-city students based on character and motivation, not strictly test scores. McCray has lived in Kansas City her whole life. Now, REAP offers food pantry assistance to 150 families a week and other assistance to 25 families a week. The 41 Action News Investigators have also reached out to other BEU leaders, including current interim Director Cathy Brodhurst. Many students may not be interested or be able to afford to go to college. ", Email contact available with a Pro subscription. The NAACP is a long standing civil rights organization that works on a broad scale to achieve racial justice for citizens in urban communities. Everybody needs something different.. The auditor notes in that report, When agencies do not report recent information on their financial condition and accounting and internal control structures, its not available to elected officials, the city manager or monitoring departments. The Marlo house in Kansas City was the site of a 1978 meeting between Civella crime family members and Tropicana hotel-casino executives Carl Thomas from Las Vegas. Once the property manager is in place, the BEU expects to have a more consistent presence at its office in the Lincoln Building.". The 41 Action News Investigators asked Wood if it's a potential red flag to hire a contractor in the same building BEU owns with no specific address in that building. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Unfortunately, urban core-focused organizations, especially Black-led organizations, don't have access to the same funding, therefore hindering their ability to market the families that need the opportunities the most, Martin said. Keep your current job, and work with us on the side. But the 146,000 people who live in the six most populated Zip codes west of Troost and in. In the city auditor's Dec. 31, 2003 report, it states "BEU paid a contractor without the contractor submitting invoices for approval. Long before they were threatened by the economic shutdown associated with COVID-19, Dr. Karen Curls says that Black-owned small businesses were held back by the countrys racial pandemic.. By providing prison bus services, offering reentry services and newsletter subscriptions for current and former offenders, the organization advocates for the rights of those affected by incarceration. Contact: Sook Park City records also show BEU submitted an invoice, as part of the Lincoln Building renovations contract, for $833 paid to Prosperity Electric for wiring charges. Sign up to receive our freeWatchdog email newsletter, a weekly investigation in inequality from Public Integrity. q = []; Start with this beginner's guide to the neighborhood, Kansas City's new airport terminal carries on the legacy of a 10-year-old who fought for inclusivity, Local public health officials fear a Kansas bill would undercut work to contain diseases, A federal lawsuit against Missouri's 'dysfunctional' SNAP call center has gotten bigger, Young Black Professionals In Kansas City Feel A Responsibility To Help Next Generation Succeed, Kansas City's Black Professional Women Change Corporate Culture By Chipping Away At Stereotypes, This Kansas City Nonprofit Is Stepping In To Bolster Black-Owned Businesses, With 'Resiliency And Grit,' Black Women In Kansas City Have Been Growing Their Own Businesses. Editor: Clara Reyes "Where is it?". (Don't see an email in your inbox? Wichita, KS 67214 To donate, go to GiveBlackKC.org or you can text GiveBlack22 to 41444. Atlanta-based organization Sister Love commits itself to educating women of color about reproductive health, safe sex and HIV/AIDS. Weve got to get families to a place where theyre thriving, you know, theyre being successful. Fax: (816) 924-1803, Women Construction Owners and Executives KC Chapter (WCOEKC) Editor: Elizabeth Lopez She is originally from Colorado and said housing was a huge concern for her. 8500 W. 71st St. The folks who are already in power have the responsibility to fight for us: folks on city councils, in foundation boardrooms, in voting booths, on school boards, in recruiting offices. This is Give Black KC Week a fundraiser for Black-led organizations in the metro. Fairway Corporate Center Contact: Carlos Gomez Contact: Leonard Graham (AAHTKC) was created through community meetings, community input, and lots of research. As an assistant producer on Up To Date, my goal is to amplify voices of people who serve as pioneers in their respective fields while shedding light on issues that affect underserved communities. Kansas City, MO 64130 Get started with eight dining recommendations from local foodie Kasim Hardaway. Academic, professional, and personal development programs are vital to the success of Kansas Citys Black youth. Kansas City Chapter President President@WCOEKC.org The last city permit currently posted for the Lincoln Building elevator expired on Aug. 1, 2014, roughly six weeks before the contract was signed to upgrade the elevator. Copyright 2023 Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Kansas City, MO 64106 Phone: (816) 701-9890, Kansas City Kansas Womens Chamber of Commerce And the tax record shows mortgages and loans BEU owed rose from $42,648 in 2015 to $492,244 in 2016, which may reflect the $400,000 new loan. In budget year 2008 for example, 44 agencies received $100,000 or more in funding from the city or pass-through dollars. Generating Income for Tomorrow is raising money to support five Black-led organizations. In that court document - which Harris signed under oath and is still part of the public court record - it states, "Illegal wire transfer took place. Part of HuffPost Black Voices. 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. The report says, "the contractor could draw down funds from the agency at any time. Fax:(816)421-5247, The Community Voice Kansas City, MO 64110 e = d.createElement("script"); 11249 Strang Line Rd. The Urban League of Greater Kansas City, The Green Line Initiative and G.I.F.T. Reached by phone, Thompson said a lot of hard work was put into the building. Wood - in his then-capacity as assistant city manager and director of the city's Neighborhoods and Housing Services Department - signed the federal money contract with BEU. 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. Thats one reason Trinity Davis started Teachers Like Me. 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. 3200 Wayne Ave., Suite 204 I remember riding up the glistening elevator, and walking awkwardly around the immaculate, modern top-floor club room. PO Box 165316 Bullington responds by sending a 2014 contract between BEU and the city to improve the Lincoln Building. BOLD is a national leadership training program that aims to equip black leaders with the skills needed to place themselves at the forefront of movements for social justice. ITS ABOUT EQUALITY. It's leading up to the Juneteenth holiday . I was sure there was a future for me down south. Oversight of the funding is done through a combination of local and federal officials. NONPROFIT GIFT IS RAISING MONEY TO SUPPORT FIVE BLACK LEAD ORGANIZATIONS. Kansas City, MO 64105 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?'. Its unjust for the burden of change to fall on Black youth when inequity is consistently maintained by those with power and privilege. Owner Nika Cotton said her shop provides comfort and self-care for the Black community. I remember thinking, as soon as I stepped into that place: I do not belong here. Editor: Donna Stewart The Nia Project plans to offer two programs: Black Women Get Fit, an annual health and wellness event, and a summer program for high school girls. WeCodeKC gives Black children exposure to computer science. The group played a significant role in, Cut50 is a project by The DreamCorps that aims to reduce the number of people incarcerated through awareness campaigns like. Managing Editor: Denise Jordan While Lyman declined the 41 Action News Investigators request for an on camera interview, he did say by phone and e-mail that BEU has done a lot of good work in the community, such as building low income housing, during the past 50 years. City Hall Departments Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity Department (CREO).