I actually haven't been in the building myself in a long time.". Kansas City, KS 66101 The biggest, most glaring issue is that theres just a missing middle in housing, Morris said. With over 30 signature daiquiri mixes,there'ssomething for everyone,but I personally enjoy the Bahama Mama and Purple Passion., Meet KC's Black-owned businesses with KC Black Owned, Looking for moreways to get to know KC's Black-ownedbusinesses? 816-513-1313 Background: The African American Heritage Trail of Kansas City, Mo. 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. Former BEU Board Chairman Chester Thompson spoke about fixing up the Lincoln Building in a YouTube video recorded at that building in 2012. Amplifying Black voices through news that matters. Contact: Carlos Gomez BEU paid the contractor in excess of actual expenses incurred. q = []; Phone: (816) 595-4109 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. The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick. Part of HuffPost Black Voices. 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. 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?'. SO WERE TRYING TO IN THAT PIECE AND ENCOURAGE KIDS TO GO TO COLLEGE AND SEEK HIGHER EDUCATION ORGANIZERS BELIEVE WORKING TOGETHER BRINGS CHANGE YOU GIVE A LITTLE YOU GET A LITTLE YOU GIVE A LITTLE AND WE DONT WANT YOU TO DIMINISH OR DISCOUNT THE IMPACT THAT THAT COULD HAVE, YOU KNOW NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE A MILLIONAIRE TO MAKE CHANGES IN PEOPLES LIVES IS REALLY COOL. 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. 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. Kansas City Chapter President President@WCOEKC.org Kansas City, KS 66106 "You don't necessarily have to be a millionaire to make changes in people's lives is really cool," Latimer said. 720 Oak St. The report says, "the contractor could draw down funds from the agency at any time. Black Girls Code is on a mission to increase the number of black women working in computer programming. to get more GuideStar Nonprofit Profile data today! I remember riding up the glistening elevator, and walking awkwardly around the immaculate, modern top-floor club room. According to Harris, BEU's board neither voted on nor approved the loan - a violation of the organization's policies, rules and procedures. The Kauffman Foundation focuses on ensuring the Kansas City regions education and learning opportunities are equitable, real-world relevant, and lead to economically-viable careers. (AAHTKC) was created through community meetings, community input, and lots of research. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Organizers are hoping to raise a half-million dollars in just five days. Contact: Kim Randolph 4200 Little Blue Parkway, Suite 590 The Kansas City connection - The Mob Museum A mix of clouds and sun with gusty winds. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of KMBC-TV. Im not the only one. Through partnerships with other local organizations, WeCode students can build projects and receive stipends to gain real-world experience. 2918 Southwest Blvd. Mission. The contractor generated its own invoices and paid itself from the agency's account without agency personnel involvement. Court records show after the sale of the Lincoln Building, BEU sued Service to try to get the building back. Buckner also hopes this grant will help WeCode grow larger and partner with businesses in other parts of the nation. These five Black entrepreneurs helped shape Kansas City | The Kansas A GuideStar Pro report containing the following information is available for this organization: This information is only available for subscribers and in Premium reports. Phone: (816)923-5399 KC's Official Visitors Guide is the place to find insider tips, local favorites and info on whats happening during your next visit. The BEU is one of dozens of non-governmental agencies which receive funding through the city. 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. 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. KC physician mentors underrepresented medical students, establishes Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Its definitely my mission to balance kind of self care with communal care, Cotton said. We will help you if you want to be helped but you have to meet us halfway, she said. The contractor authorized all payments during the fiscal year from the program fund. Know of other businesses that belong on this list? 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. Kansas City, MO 64106 If you have an idea for a column, please read the guidelines for contributors. It also helps teachers with housing. 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. According to Harris' court statement, former BEU director Lyman took out a $400,000 loan for the building in May 2016 just months after Thompson left. In an August 2018 email, Lorek asks Bullington for an accounting of all federal money given to BEU. It all starts with access to opportunity for people to improve their lives. Records show the city gave BEU two contract extensions to complete work on the Lincoln Building. Box 411511 4220 Shawnee Mission Pkwy #350b Lifes Work Counseling and Consulting is a therapy business that offers culturally-competent counseling to Black communities with therapists from the same background as their clients. "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. 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. Sign up to receive our freeWatchdog email newsletter, a weekly investigation in inequality from Public Integrity. In his 2012 YouTube video, Chester Thompson talked about BEU's debt on those housing projects when he took over the organization in 2007. They ignored that and moved forward with the sale and without a lawyer.". The Urban League of Greater Kansas City, The Green Line Initiative and G.I.F.T. The Trayvon Martin Foundation aims to spread awareness of the consequences of gun crime and caters to families affected by gun violence. Associates of the Kauffman Foundation work in partnership with people who share a passion for entrepreneurship and education. Everybody needs something different.. ", 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. 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. Saatva Mattress Review: Our Pick for the Best Overall Bed of 2023, We Found 12 Cute Planters and Flower Pots That Cost Less Than $25, Here's Where to Watch and Stream Marvel's 'Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' Online. Economic development in the city often equates to gentrification and uprooting the low-income and Black inner-city populations. "He wanted access to their financial records, the property records, things he has no business having access to," Ford said. Phone: (816) 235-1643 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. 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. Business Process Architect, Commerce Bank, Already have a GuideStar Account? Website: www.buildersassociation.com, Unified Contractors of Kansas City (UCKC; unification of Hispanic Contractors Association of Greater Kansas City and Minority Contractors Association of Greater Kansas City) 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. Phone: (816) 471-0550 Sign in. According to Service and other tenants, its rare the office is used at all. if (w.amptravel) return; 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. Phone: (816) 701-9890, Kansas City Kansas Womens Chamber of Commerce 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. Fundraiser this week will help Kansas City Black-led organizations, TO BUILD A BETTER, KANSAS CITY. 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." 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. 8500 W. 71st St. Fax: (816) 442-8682 11249 Strang Line Rd. "https://g.amp.travel", The contractor had control of the account and periodically transferred money out of the account. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. a list of 28 active organizations that service a range of black communities. If Im going to consider Kansas City my long-term home in the future, there are several changes that would have to occur first. Black Economic Union under federal investigation - KSHB The accusations come in a now-dismissed eviction case current Lincoln Building owner Henry Service filed against BEU in March, 2018. Im all about the collective effort, the things that we can do. Cortlynn Stark writes about finance and the economy for The Sum. 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. 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. Many young people are working for change right now, but we need to know were not alone in the fight. Cut50 is a project by The DreamCorps that aims to reduce the number of people incarcerated through awareness campaigns like #DayofEmpathy and #ClemencyNOW. (function(u, w, d, a, q, e) { Owner Nika Cotton said her shop provides comfort and self-care for the Black community. I then documented by email enough cash resources BEU has to carry us for the next eight months. Kansas City Black owned eestaurants features 46 businesses | The Kansas My Brothers Keeper, an initiative of the Obama administration, aims to unite and amplify the voices of black men through mentorship. 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. We Are Here, founded by singer Alicia Keys, is a partnership of organizations working together to end poverty, oppression and homelessness. Collaboration is key Randolph said the Heartland Business Chamber of Commerce ramped up partnerships with other organizations doing similar work during the pandemic. KCUR serves the Kansas City region with breaking news and powerful storytelling. 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. I dont hear about those opportunities very often in Kansas City. It provides scholarships to inner-city students based on character and motivation, not strictly test scores. Fax: (816) 471-8543, American Indian Enterprise & Business Council You need to build a relationship with your banker. Its unjust for the burden of change to fall on Black youth when inequity is consistently maintained by those with power and privilege. Theyre not even ever thinking about a bank loan. 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. A Kansas City non-profit with the mission of promoting economic development in the city's urban core is under federal investigation. P.O. 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. In other communities, local business associations can help find resources. 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. Contact: Donna Porch Incite works to end violence against women of color through organizing events, conferences, circulating newsletters and strategic political initiatives. Dacia Martins started UrbnHub during the pandemic to connect families with organizations that serve the urban core. Phone: (816) 235-2891, Kansas City Society of Black Architects and Engineers Editor: Donna Stewart Fax:(816)421-5247, 414 E. 12th Street My vision is to get past the safety net, Barnes said. Thus, one area doctor is hoping to improve physician . 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. 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. My email is steve@kcur.org. BEU was one of only two agencies not to submit its financial reports and internal control analysis for the city auditors review on time. Cotton said that, because of the pandemic, it was impossible to get funding for her new business. 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. Kansas City, MO 64116 Need the ability to download nonprofit data and more advanced search options? Website:www.wcoekc.org, Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (TAAC) 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. Morris said there may be an unintentional bias in philanthropic funding that favors other organizations over Black organizations. The Empowerment Program offers resources like employment assistance and housing referrals for black women experiencing poverty, homelessness and incarceration. 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But it's not. Get a weekly dive into inequality in America with our Watchdog newsletter delivered to your inbox. 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. "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. Academic, professional, and personal development programs are vital to the success of Kansas Citys Black youth. The organization continues to mobilize and amplify national dialogue around state-sanctioned violence. 5100 Rockhill Rd. For additional information on Black-owned businesses, vendors and resources in Kansas City, consult our partners at KC Black Owned orBlack Privilege. Phone: (816) 842-3804, Kansas City Globe Newspaper (weekly) Contact: Sharmin Lang Learn more I'm the 100 percent owner of the Lincoln Building and that's the way it should be," Service said. Lawrence, KS (66045) Today. 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. 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. The original contract included $100,000 of federal money, with $75,000 of those funds budgeted to upgrade the elevator. 100 Black Men of Greater Kansas City, Inc. - GuideStar Profile Get started with eight dining recommendations from local foodie Kasim Hardaway. 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. I am not interested in remaining in a city that is not made for me. 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. SO WHAT THES CHANGE? 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. 8645 College Blvd., # 110 3200 Wayne Ave., Suite 204 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. This is jumping off point to begin financial sustainability for these organizations, he said. That's why a Juneteenth fundraiser is stepping in to get Kansas City organizations access to capital.