UMKC Innovation Center Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? When I host Up To Date each morning at 9 a.m., my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City areas challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the days most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. I first fell in love withRuby JeansJuicerywhen I heard the story behind its namesakethe grandmother of the owner and operator, Chris Goode. . 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? Kansas City group raises money to award 5 grants to Black-owned businesses A lot of people, they dont have a business, theyve created a job. Fairway Corporate Center 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. By: Andy Alcock Posted at 10:30 AM, Sep 26, 2019 Kansas City, MO 64130 Click here to resend it.). Learning through measurement and evaluation help us better support programs that improve education, boost entrepreneurship, and help Kansas City thrive. So far, Teachers Like Me has helped 15 Black teachers. Kansas City Black owned eestaurants features 46 businesses | The Kansas Give Black KC effort helps fund Black organizations - KSHB A lot of the folks that we serve are afraid of systems. This is almost like a trade. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Religious activists are trying to weaken new protections for LGBTQ workers, Public Integrity acquires tool to make data more accessible to journalists, Public Integrity staff share expertise in using data to cover inequality, Funding decisions often shortchange homeless students, Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. Fax: (816) 924-1803, Women Construction Owners and Executives KC Chapter (WCOEKC) The Black Womens Blueprint services black women affected by issues such as sexual violence, abuse and incarceration. How a Kansas City group is building up Black-owned businesses | The In honor of. In 64128, the zip code I live in, only 47.9% of my neighbors own their homes.. The Trayvon Martin Foundation aims to spread awareness of the consequences of gun crime and caters to families affected by gun violence. She knew it was important for students to have representation in the classroom. 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. Cotton plans to use the grant from Give Black KC to extend her lease on the shop. She also says Special Agent Lorek has interviewed her as part of his ongoing investigation, specifically asking her about BEU. Mission. Contact: Simone Garza 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. 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. City Hall Departments Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity Department (CREO). Resources for Black-Owned Businesses - U.S. Chamber The BEU is one of dozens of non-governmental agencies which receive funding through the city. Kansas City, MO 64108 We will help you if you want to be helped but you have to meet us halfway, she said. Phone: (816) 666-9407, Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Center (MOPTAC) Court records show after the sale of the Lincoln Building, BEU sued Service to try to get the building back. "You don't necessarily have to be a millionaire to make changes in people's lives is really cool," Latimer said.Organizers are hoping to raise a half-million dollars in just five days. And, its a misconception that running a business is easier than working for someone else, Randolph added. "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. Winds SW at 25 to 35 mph. All rights reserved. [CDATA[// >For Juneteenth, Here Are 8 Kansas City Organizations Getting A Boost Once the property manager is in place, the BEU expects to have a more consistent presence at its office in the Lincoln Building.". Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. "I can confirm the Office of Inspector General (of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Inspector General) did sit down and talk to me and I can confirm that I've got information that the FBI is looking into that organization," Service said in an interview. Most recently, the 41 Action News Investigators obtained invoices showing Kansas City's Neighborhoods and Housing Services Department gave roughly $214,000 in funding to BEU from 2012 through 2016, but nothing since the contract to refurbish the Lincoln Building was canceled in 2016. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick. Kansas City lessons on supporting Black businesses that can work 4220 Shawnee Mission Pkwy #350b Marvin used the term "development costs," not for a BEU development, but for Vewiser Dixon's development.". Thus, one area doctor is hoping to improve physician . 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. Business service providers have to create a better ecosystem for Black-owned businesses and that means connecting owners with resources, said Richardson. Overland Park, KS 66210 1701 So. Phone: (816) 595-4109 The contractor generated its own invoices and paid itself from the agency's account without agency personnel involvement. On the UrbnHub Facebook group, Martins promotes entrepreneurship resources, vaccination events, school events, food banks, employment fairs and other resources to her 477 members. Payments were not supported by invoices or other documentation. Phone: (816)923-5399 about GuideStar Pro. 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. Otherwise, my young, diverse generation will take our talent, leadership, and drive to create equitable, anti-racist communities elsewhere. From West AfricanSuya, meat skewersorEast African Injera with stewed meat, you can get it all atFannie's African Cuisine., "You have to order chicken and donuts. 310 Armour Rd., Suite 205 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.". Contact: Sook Park 816-800-5025 Peachtree. NBJCs work centers around HIV/AIDS, and makes employment and education opportunities more inclusive for black LGBT citizens. 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. One of the best ways to become educated is to get involved in black-led organizations across the city, she . KANSAS CITY, Mo. 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. Learn More In BEU's case, the city money in question comes from the federal community block grant program. 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. Randolph said the Heartland Business Chamber of Commerce ramped up partnerships with other organizations doing similar work during the pandemic. "Because we know Black-led organizations, just like anything else, have been left out of the philanthropic cycle," said Cornell Gorman, co-found of Generating Income for Tomorrow.GIFT is partnering with the United Way for this campaign. 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. 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? KANSAS CITY, Mo. African-American Planning Commission 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. The 41 Action News Investigators, on multiple occasions over several months, have gone to BEUs office in the Lincoln Building seeking comment. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 5737 Swope Parkway Additional Email: [email protected], National Association of Women in Construction(NAWIC) In his 2012 YouTube video, Chester Thompson talked about BEU's debt on those housing projects when he took over the organization in 2007. Kansas City is becoming more welcoming for black women who want to start their own businesses. document To donate, go to GiveBlackKC.org or you can text GiveBlack22 to 41444. Lawrence, KS (66045) Today. 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 41 Action News Investigators asked Wood if he believes there's some type of malfeasance with BEU or the city based on the open federal investigation. There's so many different types of people in the urban core, Martins said. I, and other young Black people, need to feel that Kansas City is for us. Amplifying Black voices through news that matters. 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. Buckner also hopes this grant will help WeCode grow larger and partner with businesses in other parts of the nation. Kansas City, MO 64108 Black Girls Code is on a mission to increase the number of black women working in computer programming. Generating Income for Tomorrow is raising money to support five Black-led organizations. Contact: Jauqua Wilkins 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. Programs like Awesome Ambitions, which encourage economic and social mobility, prepare young people for college and careers, and create rich networking opportunities, should be heavily funded. Kelly Eckerman. Get a weekly dive into inequality in America with our Watchdog newsletter delivered to your inbox. 615 E. 29th St. Skip to: TWOC offers support and resources for trans women of color, a highly marginalized community. The email also states BEU is in good standing, self-sustaining, successfully maintaining its current assets and continuing to pursue its mission of economic empowerment for minorities in the Kansas City area. She is originally from Colorado and said housing was a huge concern for her. A verification email has been sent to you. Teachers Like Me focuses heavily on recruiting, developing and retaining Black teachers. Fax: (816) 442-8682 McCray has lived in Kansas City her whole life. KC Chapter Information [email protected] Sign up to receive our freeWatchdog email newsletter, a weekly investigation in inequality from Public Integrity. Now, how will your actions answer? Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. Fax: (816)471-3064, 2ms2KC Bilingual Publication She previously covered City Hall for The Kansas City Star and joined The Star in January 2020 as a breaking news . Stay current with seasonal attractions, deals and more by signing up to receive our newsletter. SO WHAT THES CHANGE? 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. Additional Email: [email protected], Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce 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 love going for an early lunch on Saturdays after perusing through City Market., From the moment you walk intoGates Bar-B-Qand hear someone yell,Welcome to Gates, how can I help you?to the moment you take your first bite ofpipin'hot barbecue, you'll know why this is such a cult-classic for Kansas Citians. The NAACP is a long standing civil rights organization that works on a broad scale to achieve racial justice for citizens in urban communities. Public Integrity doesnt have paywalls and doesnt accept advertising so that our investigative reporting can have the widest possible impact on addressing inequality in the U.S. Our work is possible thanks to support from people like you. Contact:Joe MabinorGabe Perez Independence, MO 64057 It's about equality but also equity. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Use the unsubscribe link in the emails we send to opt out at any time. More by Ashley Clarke. Many communities have business associations and chambers of commerce. There are networks of young Black people, especially Black women, doing the things I want to do: writing fiction, engaging in the arts scene, working at predominantly Black nonprofits, founding organizations for Black girls, supporting a wide variety of Black-owned businesses, and attending predominantly Black colleges. On Sept. 18, 2014, John A. They dont have a real business, she said. If you have an idea for a column, please read the guidelines for contributors. Black Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City Contact: Kelvin Perry 5737 Swope Parkway Kansas City, MO 64130 Phone: (913) 220-0281 Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce Contact: Kim Randolph 607-a Minnesota Ave. Kansas City, KS 66101 Phone: (913) 948-7680 Additional Email: [email protected] Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Kansas City, MO 64108 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. 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. The Black Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City launched a program Thursday that aims to provide vital resources to Black-owned businesses in under-resourced communities. Fax:(816)421-5247, The Community Voice It also helps teachers with housing. Calls to defund KCPD, for Chief Smith to resign continue - KSHB The founder explained that Nile Valleys products are sold to local restaurants, giving the community a place in Kansas Citys economic cycle. a.q = q; 4747 Troost Ave., Suite 105 Phone: (816) 472-6767, Kansas City Womens Chamber of Commerce Now, REAP offers food pantry assistance to 150 families a week and other assistance to 25 families a week. Fundraiser this week will help Kansas City Black-led organizations, TO BUILD A BETTER, KANSAS CITY. The invoice shows Prosperity Electric had the same Lincoln Building address as BEU, which owned the building at the time, but no suite number; Only a listing of "second floor" was included. You can reach her on Twitter @jambojiang. 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. 4 Ways White Allies Can Do Better For Kansas City's Black Community - KCUR Phone: (816) 701-9890, Kansas City Kansas Womens Chamber of Commerce 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. Reached by phone, Thompson said a lot of hard work was put into the building. Rapper Common founded this organization in the 1990s to provide greater opportunities for under-serviced children through mentorship, community service and the arts. 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. A sign now on the window of the office reads, To mail carrier from BEU, please hold all mail in the post office. Smith said that the organization he co-founded, Porterhouse KC, serves as a safe space to ask questions and learn about financial management, accounting, legal services and more. 5100 Rockhill Rd. Fierce is New York-based organization catering to the extremely underserved LGBT youth of color. Curls, Daniel Smith from Porter House KC, Nia Richardson from KC BizCare and Kim Randolph from the Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce talked about the impact COVID-19 has had on a community already facing disproportionate barriers from historic redlining and other forms of discrimination. I dont necessarily need a replica of Atlanta to be built here, but Ive lived in Kansas City all my life (admittedly, only 20 years). A weeklong fundraiser to benefit organizations doing grassroots work in the Kansas City-area Black community already is halfway toward its goal. Sign up for our best content straight to your inbox, and join the conversation on our social channels. As Public Integrity Editor Jamie Smith Hopkins reported in her investigation into the distribution of PPP loans in Kansas City, the once-redlined 64128 ZIP code has just one bank branch. With over a million members, Color of Change works to end racial injustice manifested in the media, economy and criminal justice system. A grant from Give Black KC would allow REAP to buy meat and other food items to give out every Friday, as well as help more families meet bills and rent payments. Harris claims tens of thousands of dollars of the organization's money were funneled from BEU to other organization leaders for their own personal benefit. Kansas City crime prevention programs | Cause IQ Phone: (816) 235-1643 The summer program is scheduled to launch in 2022. Its been harder to get funding during the pandemic, however, because of the number of people in the community who lost their jobs. This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990-N. I was really excited when they called me and talked about the opportunity to be a part of the collaborative, McCray said. The ACT Right program provides free ACT test preparation classes and support for African American high school students, both male and female, helping students become better equipped to score well on the test. Fax: (816)444-3226 a.v = "2"; In our community, we have a lot of violence, we have a lot of poverty, we have a lot of broken infrastructure, Barnes said. Investigating the systems and circumstances that contribute to inequality. Kansas City groups help crime victims, prevent violence | The Kansas Contact: Teshauna Dawkins a list of 28 active organizations that service a range of black communities. At the meeting, secretly bugged by authorities, Thomas revealed how skimming works inside Nevada casinos. 100 Black Men of Greater Kansas City is devoted to improving the quality of life for young African American men through several mentoring, educational, and life skills . Yes I was looking before I was old enough to pay rent. ); A mix of clouds and sun with gusty winds. 816-234-4784. Black Economic Union under federal investigation - KSHB 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. I then documented by email enough cash resources BEU has to carry us for the next eight months. And it feels like it never will be. Kansas City needs to create inclusive housing where Black and low-income people can feel safe and welcome. 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. There, I experienced a sense of belonging and comfort that I had struggled to create for myself in Kansas City. 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.. North Kansas City, MO 64116 8500 W. 71st St. If you want to support Black businesses to help them thrive, patronize them. Richardson said. According to executive director Michael Watson, REAP began in the basement of Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church in 1982. BYP studies the attitudes and cultural norms of black millennials in an effort to maximize their life experiences.