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. Reached by phone, Thompson said a lot of hard work was put into the building. 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. Davis and Nix joined KCURs Up to Date to explain how theyve brought new talent to Kansas City and increased representation in classrooms, as well as some of the challenges they face. 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. Phone: (816) 924-4441 5100 Rockhill Rd. Let us know. NBJCs work centers around HIV/AIDS, and makes employment and education opportunities more inclusive for black LGBT citizens. 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. Investigating the systems and circumstances that contribute to inequality. Amplifying Black voices through news that matters. Ford says she's a paid intern and has served as a receptionist at BEU's Lincoln Building office in the past. That same tax record shows salaries and other employee benefits rose from $7,540 in 2015 to $79,361 in 2016. e.setAttribute("src", u + "/v" + a.v + "/js"); The NAACP is a long standing civil rights organization that works on a broad scale to achieve racial justice for citizens in urban communities. The organization continues to mobilize and amplify national dialogue around state-sanctioned violence. A sign now on the window of the office reads, To mail carrier from BEU, please hold all mail in the post office. A mix of clouds and sun with gusty winds. Cut50 is a project by The DreamCorps that aims to reduce the number of people incarcerated through awareness campaigns like #DayofEmpathy and #ClemencyNOW. And the poverty rate is 36%. Leaders working to support Black business owners joined an online forum organized. They ignored that and moved forward with the sale and without a lawyer.". 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. w.amptravel.q.push({ a:a, p:p }); Our grantmaking, research, programs, and initiatives support the start and growth of new businesses, a more prepared workforce, and stronger communities. 310 Armour Rd., Suite 205 6025 Prospect Despite Harris' claim that BEU gave $69,000 to an unqualified contractor to the fix the elevator, Wood says the remaining funds were not given to BEU and re-purposed. Lora McDonald, director of the Kansas City-based social justice organization More2, . THE COUNSELORS ARE KINOFD FOCUSED ON GETTING PEOPLE TO GRADUATE THINGS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL GETNGTI KIDS TO SCHOOL. 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. **GREAT PART TIME INCOME. And the organization severely lacks it. I want to be around for a very long time. Cotton said. Get a weekly dive into inequality in America with our Watchdog newsletter delivered to your inbox. Fax:(816)421-5247, The Community Voice Need the ability to download nonprofit data and more advanced search options? Fax: (913) 287-5881, Kansas City Call (weekly) 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. It all starts with access to opportunity for people to improve their lives. 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. Im not the only one. 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. a = w.amptravel = function(a, p) { 26. Seven social justice organizations from the Kansas City area are doubling down on demands for the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department budget to be reduced and for Chief Rick Smith to resign. She knew it was important for students to have representation in the classroom. Once the property manager is in place, the BEU expects to have a more consistent presence at its office in the Lincoln Building.". Cotton said that, because of the pandemic, it was impossible to get funding for her new business. According to Harris' testimony, former BEU Director Marvin Lyman and long-time BEU advisor Vewiser Dixon - Dixon's wife Cathy Brodhurst is currently BEU's interim director - siphoned BEU money to Dixon's private business. Academic, professional, and personal development programs are vital to the success of Kansas Citys Black youth. With the Give Black grant, WeCode would be able to offer stipends to students as well as a salary for developers. So they dont set up their books properly because all the revenue that comes in, they use it as their revenue to live off of. 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. Otherwise, my young, diverse generation will take our talent, leadership, and drive to create equitable, anti-racist communities elsewhere. Think about a seemingly simple question: What are the health outcomes of a Black woman versus a white woman in Kansas City? 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. That question has always felt easy to answer. Cotton plans to use the grant from Give Black KC to extend her lease on the shop. "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. 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. Contact: Teshauna Dawkins WeCodeKC gives Black children exposure to computer science. Black students who have at least one Black teacher by the time they're in third grade are much more likely to enroll in college. With funding from prominent Black organizations, Perry's operation grew to be the first hospital owned and . By: Andy Alcock Posted at 10:30 AM, Sep 26, 2019 I wouldn't have stood for it," Wood said. By working with her landlord and sharing a waiting space with other businesses, McCray was able to keep Life's Work alive. ", Also in the same report it states, "BEU's former executive director's name remained on an account for the agency's Community Service Block Grant until December, 2004. My email is steve@kcur.org. 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. (Don't see an email in your inbox? It provides scholarships to inner-city students based on character and motivation, not strictly test scores. Managing Editor: Denise Jordan Yes I was looking before I was old enough to pay rent. KC Chapter Information Info@WCOEKC.org She previously covered City Hall for The Kansas City Star and joined The Star in January 2020 as a breaking news . 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. The following list provides information for contacting some minority and women business organizations and publications. Marvin used the term "development costs," not for a BEU development, but for Vewiser Dixon's development.". If it is your nonprofit, add a problem overview. 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. A verification email has been sent to you. Get started with eight dining recommendations from local foodie Kasim Hardaway. By the time Thompson retired as board chair in March 2016, Thompson claimed the BEU owned the Lincoln Building free and clear. The 2016 federal income tax record for BEU, called a form 990 for non-profit groups exempt from income tax, shows BEU's total net assets were more than $1.6 million at the end of that year. Harris states in the court record, "They were talking about paying property taxes and mowing vegetation on all the vacant lot properties Vewiser owns for his upcoming real estate development. Ive been looking at apartments in Atlanta since I was 13 years old. 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. I spoke as the newly selected Junior Advisory Board President. I, and other young Black people, need to feel that Kansas City is for us. She also says Special Agent Lorek has interviewed her as part of his ongoing investigation, specifically asking her about BEU. Kansas City is becoming more welcoming for black women who want to start their own businesses. to get more GuideStar Nonprofit Profile data today! Court records show after the sale of the Lincoln Building, BEU sued Service to try to get the building back. Stories that matter delivered to your inbox. 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. The MWDBE directory lists certified companies verified by the City. I am not interested in remaining in a city that is not made for me. Awesome Ambitions was the key to my high school success. "A lot of school districts here in Kansas City, Missouri, the counselors are kind of focused on getting people to graduate things outside of school, getting kids to school. 4747 Troost Ave., Suite 105 I was really excited when they called me and talked about the opportunity to be a part of the collaborative, McCray said. But Awesome Ambitions needs funding in order to provide these experiences to girls. The Nia Project offers holistic services and advocacy work for Black women and girls in Kansas City. Dacia Martins started UrbnHub during the pandemic to connect families with organizations that serve the urban core. Service confirms hes in the process of hiring a property manager for the Lincoln Building. In an August 2018 email, Lorek asks Bullington for an accounting of all federal money given to BEU. 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. In BEU's case, the city money in question comes from the federal community block grant program. Payments were not supported by invoices or other documentation. In honor of. P.O. "We found that BEU was in terrible trouble, just a mess," Thompson said in the video. Phone: (913) 338-0774, Black Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. I then documented by email enough cash resources BEU has to carry us for the next eight months. 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 programs led by professional men from various industries and fields, serving as community volunteers: "Real Men Giving Real Time. 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. That term comes from the practice of marking racial makeup on a map and denying financial services to Black neighborhoods. Everybody needs something different.. Fax:(816)421-5247, 414 E. 12th Street Teachers Like Me focuses heavily on recruiting, developing and retaining Black teachers. "We had to put about a million dollars in refurbishing this building," Thompson said. The contractor generated its own invoices and paid itself from the agency's account without agency personnel involvement. The Greenline Initiative finds these absent homes and renovates them before putting them on the market at reasonable prices. 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. In Kansas City, patrons can find Black-owned businesses on Kcblackowned.org, said Richardson. In Kansas City, patrons can find Black-owned businesses on Kcblackowned.org, said Richardson. I was attending a reception with Sisters Circle of Greater Kansas City, an organization which had awarded a large grant to Awesome Ambitions. window, about GuideStar Pro. 720 Oak St. That they dont belong. a list of 28 active organizations that service a range of black communities. We will help you if you want to be helped but you have to meet us halfway, she said. 2918 Southwest Blvd. I was sure there was a future for me down south. GIFT is partnering with the United Way for this campaign. 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. UMKC Innovation Center 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. Phone: (816) 221-4747 PO Box 165316 McCray has lived in Kansas City her whole life. "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. My Brothers Keeper, an initiative of the Obama administration, aims to unite and amplify the voices of black men through mentorship. The Black Womens Blueprint services black women affected by issues such as sexual violence, abuse and incarceration. 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. Keep your current job, and work with us on the side. Kansas City needs to provide more resources directly to low-income people to create true economic mobility. A weeklong fundraiser to benefit organizations doing grassroots work in the Kansas City-area Black community already is halfway toward its goal. I actually haven't been in the building myself in a long time.". Let us know on Instagram or via email. Black Organizers For Leaders And Dignity 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. Phone: (816) 235-1643 Phone: (913) 432-3486, Dos Mundos Bilingual Newspaper 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. Morris said there may be an unintentional bias in philanthropic funding that favors other organizations over Black organizations. Independence, MO 64057 Associates of the Kauffman Foundation work in partnership with people who share a passion for entrepreneurship and education. "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. ALP is a New York-based organization that dedicates itself to achieving social and economic equality for LGBT communities of color. At the meeting, secretly bugged by authorities, Thomas revealed how skimming works inside Nevada casinos. Kansas City, MO 64110 Contact: John OBrien This facility welcomes more than 75,000 thought leaders per year. The BEU understands Mr. Service is in the process of hiring a property manager for the building. Three times BEU drew down Community Services Block Grant funds in excess of their immediate requirements in violation of federal rules and regulations. Thus, one area doctor is hoping to improve physician . 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. The Kansas City group G.I.F.T is working to support Black-owned businesses in the pandemic. Phone: (303) 623-3037, National Association of Construction Contractors Cooperative (NACCC) Winds SW at 25 to 35 mph. 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. NONPROFIT GIFT IS RAISING MONEY TO SUPPORT FIVE BLACK LEAD ORGANIZATIONS. The 41 Action News Investigators obtained a series of emails between Special Agent Joseph Lorek from HUD and Stuart Bullington, the now former assistant director of Kansas City's Neighborhoods and Housing Services Department. A Kansas City non-profit with the mission of promoting economic development in the city's urban core is under federal investigation. I once stood inside the One Light Luxury Apartments in downtown Kansas City. BUT ALSO EQUITY BECAUSE KNOW BLACK-LED ORGANIZATIONS JUST LIKE ANYTHING ELSE HAS BEEN LEFT OUT OF THE PHILANTHROPIC CYCLES GIFT STANDS FOR GENERATING INCOME FOR TOMORROW. Olathe superintendent spars with Kansas Republicans over why so many K-12 teachers are leaving. Membership in Awesome Ambitions and most of the experiences it provides from college campus visits to introductions to Black businesses owners like Chris Goode, founder of Ruby Jeans Juicery are free or offered at significantly reduced costs for all girls involved. Harris also claims that loan was concealed from him in his role as board chairman. about GuideStar Pro. The future of us is one of the nonprofits chosen for funding. If Im going to consider Kansas City my long-term home in the future, there are several changes that would have to occur first. 8500 W. 71st St. 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. 55th St. Residents can help raise capital for underserved communities trying to build a better . Know of other businesses that belong on this list? The opportunities to supportKC's local Black-owned businesses are vast, from favorite area restaurants to bookstores that foster a connected community of readers. We Are Here, founded by singer Alicia Keys, is a partnership of organizations working together to end poverty, oppression and homelessness. North Kansas City, MO 64116 Overland Park, KS 66210 Contact: Jauqua Wilkins 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. Kansas City, MO 64109 The week-long fundraiser helps local Black organizations that may have trouble accessing capital due to racial inequity in lending practices. Uncommon Voices columns bring new perspectives and opinions on topics related to the Kauffman Foundations work. //-->. 607-a Minnesota Ave. Business service providers have to create a better ecosystem for Black-owned businesses and that means connecting owners with resources, said Richardson. Search for these by name, type of business, type of ownership or certification code, or view the full list of contractors by leaving all search fields blank. 8645 College Blvd., # 110 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. I visited Nile Valley Aquaponics with a group of fellow Black homeschool families in 2017. A lot of people in the community are afraid of systems. HEDFC operates as a bank with federal money used to fund low-income housing projects. Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? 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. Kansas City, MO 64106 Harris also opposed the sale and said Lyman and BEU Treasurer Charles Parker lied to him about the the sale's purpose. Wichita, KS 67214 Curls, principal of Curls Jude Joseph, a real estate firm that does revitalization work in Kansas City, joined other leaders working to support Black business owners there for an online forum recently organized by the Center for Public Integrity and The Kansas City Call newspaper. 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. 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. The report says, "the contractor could draw down funds from the agency at any time. 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. Kansas City, MO 64130 Courtesy of Larry Henry. Safe Passage is a curriculum based program that focuses on four primary areas: developing life skills both hard and soft promoting education including post high school opportunities like four year colleges, junior colleges, vocational and other programs and certifications leading to career fields community service and exploration of the institutions and cultures of Greater Kansas City. BEU appears to have made duplicate payments to contractors.". There's so many different types of people in the urban core, Martins said. 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.

House Of Day Obituaries Toledo, Ohio, Old Photos Of Calderstones Hospital, Frank Argenbright Wife, Juggalobook Mobile User Register, Tony Johnson Columbus Ohio, Articles B