"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. Phone: (816) 842-3804, Kansas City Globe Newspaper (weekly) High near 65F. Combined, these Kansas City metro crime prevention programsemploy 31 people, earn more than $965,783 in revenue each year, and have assets of $445,118. Business service providers have to create a better ecosystem for Black-owned businesses and that means connecting owners with resources, said Richardson. This is Give Black KC Week a fundraiser for Black-led organizations in the metro. 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. TWOC offers support and resources for trans women of color, a highly marginalized community. But it's not. Theyre not even ever thinking about a bank loan. Kansas City needs to create inclusive housing where Black and low-income people can feel safe and welcome. It's leading up to the Juneteenth holiday . 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. })( Kansas City, MO 64110 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. My Brothers Keeper, an initiative of the Obama administration, aims to unite and amplify the voices of black men through mentorship. It's a week-long campaign to raise grant money supporting black-owned businesses and nonprofits. The 41 Action News Investigators went to current BEU board member Martinez Denmon's home to ask questions about BEU. Here are three broad ones that come to mind. Independence, MO 64057 "https://g.amp.travel", 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. 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. 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. Phone: (816) 474-3558, American Indian Council A lot of people in the community are afraid of systems. Reached by phone, Harris declined comment about his accusations in the court record. The group played a significant role in Justice For Flint, a charity event which was held on the same night as the 2016 Oscars. Organizers are hoping to raise a half-million dollars in just five days. 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. You can reach me at. On Sept. 18, 2014, John A. 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. 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 his 2012 YouTube video, Chester Thompson talked about BEU's debt on those housing projects when he took over the organization in 2007. 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. Sign in. 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. Contact: Joe Arce After jobs in several different sectors, McCray decided to start her business while working as a full-time therapist. Im not the only one. Kansas City, MO 64108 It's about equality but also equity. The BEU is one of dozens of non-governmental agencies which receive funding through the city. They don't need a four-year college degree.. 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. 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). (function(u, w, d, a, q, e) { }; In BEU's case, the city money in question comes from the federal community block grant program. So far, Teachers Like Me has helped 15 Black teachers. Prior to the election, Lucas served as a council member in Kansas City's third district, which includes the 18th and Vine District. I first fell in love withRuby JeansJuicerywhen I heard the story behind its namesakethe grandmother of the owner and operator, Chris Goode. 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. 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. I want to live in a city that values its Black population. 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. The program gives money to cities - with relatively few strings attached - to help improve communities. Editor: Clara Reyes 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. 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. a.q = q; 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. Many small minority- owned businesses dont have access to an adequate amount of credit, so a large part of their capital comes from consumers. Phone: (913) 220-0281, Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce Contact: Sharmin Lang Higher ACT test scores open up acceptance to more colleges and additional scholarship opportunities, which are vital in ensuring more students attend four year colleges. 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. 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. You can reach her on Twitter @jambojiang. BEU paid the contractor in excess of actual expenses incurred. The summer program is scheduled to launch in 2022. Throughout my junior and senior years, I held leadership positions from designated blogger to Junior Advisory Board President and grew as a public speaker and collaborator with other girls like me. Thats one reason Trinity Davis started Teachers Like Me. She also says Special Agent Lorek has interviewed her as part of his ongoing investigation, specifically asking her about BEU. Women-led businesses normally don't get funding from funders and things like that, Buckner said. From the Black Panther Party to the Civil Rights Movement, there have been a number of organizations and movements that have fought to remind the nation that we too are America. They ignored that and moved forward with the sale and without a lawyer.". The week-long fundraiser helps local Black organizations that may have trouble accessing capital due to racial inequity in lending practices. 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. By hosting after school programs and workshops, the org plans to train one million young black women in the field by the year 2040. Not only in those buildings, but in that area, in the Power & Light District. Phone: (303) 623-3037, National Association of Construction Contractors Cooperative (NACCC) Former BEU Board Chairman Chester Thompson spoke about fixing up the Lincoln Building in a YouTube video recorded at that building in 2012. 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. The 41 Action News Investigators have also reached out to other BEU leaders, including current interim Director Cathy Brodhurst. BEU appears to have made duplicate payments to contractors.". In order to be helped, business owners have to be patient and willing to accept constructive criticism, she said. I actually haven't been in the building myself in a long time.". Randolph said the Heartland Business Chamber of Commerce ramped up partnerships with other organizations doing similar work during the pandemic. Ashley is Audience engagement editor for the Center for Public Integrity. The project comes from the work that founder and president Terri Barnes has been doing for 20 years. Ive been looking at apartments in Atlanta since I was 13 years old. The farm also supplies fresh fruits and vegetables to the neighborhood, combating the food desert currently plaguing communities east of Troost. . This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Its unjust for the burden of change to fall on Black youth when inequity is consistently maintained by those with power and privilege. 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. Phone: (816) 283-3456, Kansas City Womens Business Center Ruby Jean's Juicery about GuideStar Pro. 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." The 41 Action News Investigators, on multiple occasions over several months, have gone to BEUs office in the Lincoln Building seeking comment. Collaboration is key Randolph said the Heartland Business Chamber of Commerce ramped up partnerships with other organizations doing similar work during the pandemic. "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. Managing Editor: Denise Jordan Kansas City, MO 64105 1701 So. Barnes plans to put the money toward providing meals for the women in attendance at the event and hiring a contractor for the nonprofit. Try a low commitment monthly plan today. Contact: Teshauna Dawkins 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. 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. 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. Of the 107,000 residents who live east of Troost, more than 75% are Black. All this week, the nonprofit Generating Income for Tomorrow is raising money to support five Black-led organizations. The opportunities to supportKC's local Black-owned businesses are vast, from favorite area restaurants to bookstores that foster a connected community of readers. Reached by phone, Thompson said a lot of hard work was put into the building. Phone: (816) 471-0550 4747 Troost Ave., Suite 105 Phone: (816)531-5253 This is jumping off point to begin financial sustainability for these organizations, he said. 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. Kansas City, MO 64110 d.head.appendChild(e); "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. Learn more 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. It all starts with access to opportunity for people to improve their lives. Kansas City, MO 64130 The contractor authorized all payments during the fiscal year from the program fund. Side hustles that dont turn into legitimate businesses are a problem caused by the education system, Smith said. We always hear a lot about, you know, taking care of ourselves, but its so important that we take care of each other. Academic, professional, and personal development programs are vital to the success of Kansas Citys Black youth. She previously covered City Hall for The Kansas City Star and joined The Star in January 2020 as a breaking news . If its the right bank they can advocate for you, she added. KC Chapter Information Info@WCOEKC.org Additional Email: usanaccc@gmail.com, National Association of Women in Construction(NAWIC) Phone: (816) 595-4109 Calloway believes Give Black KC can do good work fighting racial inequity in the philanthropic sector. Copyright 2023 Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. 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. Kansas City, MO 64109 Residents can help raise capital for underserved communities trying to build a better Kansas City. During his campaign for Kansas City Mayor, the 41 Action News Investigators asked Quinton Lucas those same questions. Being the only professor of color, it was a big burden of working with Black students and teaching future teachers of color.. We Are Here, founded by singer Alicia Keys, is a partnership of organizations working together to end poverty, oppression and homelessness. It would help tremendously, Watson said. about GuideStar Pro. 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. Contact: Donna Porch Phone: (816) 392-7611, Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council (MSDC) 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. 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. 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. In 64128, the zip code I live in, only 47.9% of my neighbors own their homes.. The former executive director was terminated in March 2003.". 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. Fairway, KS 66205 if (w.amptravel) return; TheCenter for Public Integrityis a nonprofit investigative news organization focused on inequality in the U.S. We do not accept advertising or charge people to read our work. Thus, one area doctor is hoping to improve physician . The future of us is one of the nonprofits chosen for funding. ", Email contact available with a Pro subscription. 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. What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, City Hall Departments Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity Department (CREO). "We found that BEU was in terrible trouble, just a mess," Thompson said in the video. Browse many more Black-owned businesses and restaurants in the Kansas City area below. "I was told that the BEU only had two months before it would face foreclosure and not enough income to pay its utilities. BYP studies the attitudes and cultural norms of black millennials in an effort to maximize their life experiences. Kansas City, MO 64116 The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick. 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. Many students may not be interested or be able to afford to go to college. According to Service and former BEU Board Chairman William Harris, no elevator work was ever done. 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. Kansas City is becoming more welcoming for black women who want to start their own businesses. By the time Thompson retired as board chair in March 2016, Thompson claimed the BEU owned the Lincoln Building free and clear. Court records show after the sale of the Lincoln Building, BEU sued Service to try to get the building back. Contact: Kelvin Perry 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.