It's about equality but also equity. 720 Oak St. 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. Lenexa, KS 66215, Urban League of Greater Kansas City KCUR serves the Kansas City region with breaking news and powerful storytelling. Phone: (816)471-4898 "For the life of me, I can't explain why they did what they did," Wood said in describing the sale. Cotton said that, because of the pandemic, it was impossible to get funding for her new business. For more information contact the DWMBE program at (816) 513-1836 or hrdgeneral_inquiries@kcmo.org. Here are some of the organizations Give Black is fundraising for. Contact: Karla Martinez 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. And the poverty rate is 36%. Three times BEU drew down Community Services Block Grant funds in excess of their immediate requirements in violation of federal rules and regulations. ", 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. That's why a Juneteenth fundraiser is stepping in to get Kansas City organizations access to capital. Preview what's available here: Kansas City, MO 64110 That same tax record shows salaries and other employee benefits rose from $7,540 in 2015 to $79,361 in 2016. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. Contact: John OBrien Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. That they dont belong. Court records show after the sale of the Lincoln Building, BEU sued Service to try to get the building back. Kansas City needs to create inclusive housing where Black and low-income people can feel safe and welcome. What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, I visited Nile Valley Aquaponics with a group of fellow Black homeschool families in 2017. It isnt meant for me. Phone: (816) 842-3804, Kansas City Globe Newspaper (weekly) Harris also claims in the court document that Dixon threatened to kill him if Harris revealed financial improprieties taking place within BEU. This is jumping off point to begin financial sustainability for these organizations, he said. 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). "We'll track down any money the taxpayers have put into projects, make sure it's responsibly spent," Lucas said at the time. While there certainly has been some change in KC during that time, its pace is usually slow and the change isnt always for the better. Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license. 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. Uncommon Voices columns bring new perspectives and opinions on topics related to the Kauffman Foundations work. The organization has programs for interpersonal conflict, anger management and restorative processes. 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 people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick. I, and other young Black people, need to feel that Kansas City is for us. 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. Part of HuffPost Black Voices. 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. 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. In the document, Harris wrote the contractor clearly is not qualified to do such technical work which requires a license and the elevator never got fixed.". I ultimately remained in Missouri for college, attending Washington University in St. Louis. 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. She is originally from Colorado and said housing was a huge concern for her. 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. Fax: (913) 287-5881, Kansas City Call (weekly) Give Black KC would help cover her administrative costs and hire a part-time assistant. Kansas City, MO 64105 Let us know on Instagram or via email. "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. Fairway Corporate Center Barnes previously mentored Black women and girls, but she said her mentees faced bigger challenges than she could address with mentoring alone. A mix of clouds and sun with gusty winds. Naomi Nix, who teaches English at Lincoln College Preparatory Academy, was part of the first cohort to join Teachers Like Me. 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. 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.". BEU was one of only two agencies not to submit its financial reports and internal control analysis for the city auditors review on time. A lot of people, they dont have a business, theyve created a job. Please check your inbox in order to proceed. Follow @kcblackowned on Instagram forfresh information on a daily basis. WeCodeKC gives Black children exposure to computer science. Sign up to receive our freeWatchdog email newsletter, a weekly investigation in inequality from Public Integrity. Phone: (913)948-7680 Thus, one area doctor is hoping to improve physician . KANSAS CITY, Mo. CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS The African-American contribution to the fame and fortune of Kansas City is indelible. Phone: (816) 924-4441 Lawrence, KS (66045) Today. You can reach her on Twitter @jambojiang. We will help you if you want to be helped but you have to meet us halfway, she said. I then documented by email enough cash resources BEU has to carry us for the next eight months. The 41 Action News Investigators have also reached out to other BEU leaders, including current interim Director Cathy Brodhurst. 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. (function(u, w, d, a, q, e) { Our grantmaking, research, programs, and initiatives support the start and growth of new businesses, a more prepared workforce, and stronger communities. That term comes from the practice of marking racial makeup on a map and denying financial services to Black neighborhoods. }; Phone: (316) 681-1155 if (w.amptravel) return; 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. 26. 105 Haag Hall All rights reserved. At the center of the investigation is the historic Lincoln Building, one of the crown jewels of the city's 18th and Vine District, and specifically how BEU spent - or did not spend - money on the building prior to selling it to attorney Henry Service in 2017. There's so many different types of people in the urban core, Martins said. We need to start normalizing building essential relationships. Richardson said. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. d.head.appendChild(e); "We found that BEU was in terrible trouble, just a mess," Thompson said in the video. Phone: (816) 392-7611, Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council (MSDC) q = []; In other communities, local business associations can help find resources. 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. The founder explained that Nile Valleys products are sold to local restaurants, giving the community a place in Kansas Citys economic cycle. 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 . Kelly Eckerman. A grant from Give Black would allow her to market better and reach an even wider audience. SO WHAT THES CHANGE? 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. BEU paid the contractor in excess of actual expenses incurred. Phone: (816) 595-4109 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 project comes from the work that founder and president Terri Barnes has been doing for 20 years. Service confirms hes in the process of hiring a property manager for the Lincoln Building. Do not distribute mail in the building, thank you.. Phone: (816) 701-9890, Kansas City Kansas Womens Chamber of Commerce We can pool resources in order to better serve our community.. Box 411511 Contact: Sook Park 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. "I was told that the BEU only had two months before it would face foreclosure and not enough income to pay its utilities. The Empowerment Program offers resources like employment assistance and housing referrals for black women experiencing poverty, homelessness and incarceration. 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. Fax:(816)421-5247, The Community Voice 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. Contact: Kim Randolph Kansas City Chapter President President@WCOEKC.org 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. Despite two contract extensions the city gave BEU to complete the work, it wasn't finished by September, 2016. The MWDBE directory lists certified companies verified by the City. 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. If Im going to consider Kansas City my long-term home in the future, there are several changes that would have to occur first. In other communities, local business associations can help find resources. Rapper Common founded this organization in the 1990s to provide greater opportunities for under-serviced children through mentorship, community service and the arts. 2918 Southwest Blvd. 4200 Little Blue Parkway, Suite 590 Organizers are hoping to raise a half-million dollars in just five days. 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. 615 E. 29th St. It also says, The BEU maintains an office in the Lincoln Building. Contact: Teshauna Dawkins 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. This is the start of Give Black KC. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Sure, every city has a different fight to wage for equity, but programming for young Black people in Kansas City is so underfunded, overlooked, and unconsidered that it becomes an exhausting and frankly fruitless fight. Phone: (303) 623-3037, National Association of Construction Contractors Cooperative (NACCC) It provides scholarships to inner-city students based on character and motivation, not strictly test scores. It's a week-long campaign to raise grant money supporting black-owned businesses and nonprofits. By the time Thompson retired as board chair in March 2016, Thompson claimed the BEU owned the Lincoln Building free and clear. 55th St. e = d.createElement("script"); Kansas City Public Schools names 'homegrown' educator Jennifer Collier as next superintendent. Otherwise, my young, diverse generation will take our talent, leadership, and drive to create equitable, anti-racist communities elsewhere. Kansas City, MO 64130 and affects many Black-owned businesses in Kansas City, When we talk about what are the impacts of redlining today when you look at those communities, its like another city, Calloway said. All this week, the nonprofit Generating Income for Tomorrow is raising money to support five Black-led organizations. She knew it was important for students to have representation in the classroom. 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. Harris also opposed the sale and said Lyman and BEU Treasurer Charles Parker lied to him about the the sale's purpose. The ties to family, health and holistic wellness struck a chord within meI've been a fan ever since., Blue Nile Cafis one of Kansas City's oldestEthiopian restaurants and the first I dined at after moving to the city. Soulcentricitea is a tea shop at 37th and Troost where all of the signature drinks are named after prominent Black authors. The African American Heritage Trail Website is live! "I think it would be irresponsible for me to talk about ongoing investigations and issues so I'll pass on that," then-candidate Lucas said. 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. Here are three broad ones that come to mind. 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. When asked for further comment, Dixon said his attorney had advised him not to comment on the matter further. If it is your nonprofit, add geographic service areas to create a map on your profile. 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. 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. })( BEU appears to have made duplicate payments to contractors.". 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. It would help tremendously, Watson said. Outside of the abovementioned occasion, Ive only ever driven through P&L; its never been a destination for me. 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. 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. Fax: (816) 924-1803, Women Construction Owners and Executives KC Chapter (WCOEKC) Associates of the Kauffman Foundation work in partnership with people who share a passion for entrepreneurship and education. If it is your nonprofit, add a problem overview. In Kansas City, patrons can find Black-owned businesses on Kcblackowned.org, said Richardson. Randolph added that people have to understand the difference between creating a job and starting a business. "You don't necessarily have to be a millionaire to make changes in people's lives is really cool," Latimer said. That feeling only increased when I visited Atlanta twice during my senior year of high school. Need the ability to download nonprofit data and more advanced search options? If you have an idea for a column, please read the guidelines for contributors. The contractor generated its own invoices and paid itself from the agency's account without agency personnel involvement. 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. In honor of. 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. In an email response to the 41 Action News Investigators, Dixon called Harris' accusations against him "false, unfair and unwarranted.". We need more initiatives like this. My email is steve@kcur.org. Marvin used the term "development costs," not for a BEU development, but for Vewiser Dixon's development.". A judge ruled Harris' accusations inadmissible as evidence because a BEU attorney was not notified prior to Harris, the former BEU board chairman, being questioned. Additional Email: info@heartlandblackchamber.org, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce [CDATA[// >