816-513-1313 Raytown Emergency Assistance Program, or REAP, helps families in Raytown through utility assistance and rental assistance, as well as food pantry services. 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? In order to be helped, business owners have to be patient and willing to accept constructive criticism, she said. What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, 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. "Why doesn't the city know where all the money that's been allocated?" "For the life of me, I can't explain why they did what they did," Wood said in describing the sale. 727 Minnesota Ave. "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. 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 project comes from the work that founder and president Terri Barnes has been doing for 20 years. 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. Black-Owned Businesses in Kansas City | Visit KC Support Black-Owned KC Businesses The opportunities to support KC's local Black-owned businesses are vast, from favorite area restaurants to bookstores that foster a connected community of readers. A sign now on the window of the office reads, To mail carrier from BEU, please hold all mail in the post office. Phone: (913) 338-0774, Black Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City 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. Banks can be reluctant to lend to Black-owned businesses and nonprofits. Im not the only one. Get to know the organization in your community. Higher wind gusts possible.. 1715 E. 18th St. Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license. Rapper Common founded this organization in the 1990s to provide greater opportunities for under-serviced children through mentorship, community service and the arts. African-American Planning Commission 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. This is jumping off point to begin financial sustainability for these organizations, he said. The Kansas City group G.I.F.T is working to support Black-owned businesses in the pandemic. 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. Fax: (816)471-3064, 2ms2KC Bilingual Publication 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.". Barnes previously mentored Black women and girls, but she said her mentees faced bigger challenges than she could address with mentoring alone. . According to Service and former BEU Board Chairman William Harris, no elevator work was ever done. In 2003, former BEU Director Sylvester Holmes pleaded guilty in federal court to embezzling $33,000 of the organization's money. 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. "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. The future of us is one of the nonprofits chosen for funding. Many small minority- owned businesses dont have access to an adequate amount of credit, so a large part of their capital comes from consumers. Reached by phone, Thompson said a lot of hard work was put into the building. Phone: (816)531-5253 Phone: (816) 471-0550 Kansas City, MO 64105 Let us know on Instagram or via email. 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. 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. Collaboration is key Randolph said the Heartland Business Chamber of Commerce ramped up partnerships with other organizations doing similar work during the pandemic. PO Box 165316 When asked for further comment, Dixon said his attorney had advised him not to comment on the matter further. But federal investigators are questioning the money BEU did spend. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. *** We are a Black Owned Organization that focuses on spreading awareness of several 501(c)8 Not-For-Profit programs/benefits/resources that was created to support and give a helping hand to underprivileged communities, yet isn't being fully utilized simply because most don't know they exist. w.amptravel.q.push({ a:a, p:p }); Banks that Cotton approached for startup capital would only lend to existing businesses. The BEU is one of dozens of non-governmental agencies which receive funding through the city. 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. Phone: (816) 221-4747 Follow @kcblackowned on Instagram forfresh information on a daily basis. I wouldn't have stood for it," Wood said. to get more GuideStar Nonprofit Profile data today! 607-a Minnesota Ave. }; Contact: Sharmin Lang ITS PARTNERING WITH THE UNITED WAYOR F THIS CAMPAIGN. Black Americans comprise more than 12% of the population but account for less than 6% of doctors in the United States. By the time Thompson retired as board chair in March 2016, Thompson claimed the BEU owned the Lincoln Building free and clear. The accusations come in a now-dismissed eviction case current Lincoln Building owner Henry Service filed against BEU in March, 2018. Please check out AAHTKC.ORG and use our sites page to submit your sites or stories! We know that there is a stigma around mental health in urban communities, and of course I want to be able to reduce that stigma while providing treatment and education, said founder Shantai McCray. 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. In the city auditor's Dec. 31, 2003 report, it states "BEU paid a contractor without the contractor submitting invoices for approval. Randolph said the Heartland Business Chamber of Commerce ramped up partnerships with other organizations doing similar work during the pandemic. In an email response to the 41 Action News Investigators, Dixon called Harris' accusations against him "false, unfair and unwarranted.". 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. 11249 Strang Line Rd. 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. Oversight of the funding is done through a combination of local and federal officials. My vision is to get past the safety net, Barnes said. ALP is a New York-based organization that dedicates itself to achieving social and economic equality for LGBT communities of color. Lawrence, KS (66045) Today. Kansas City, KS 66101 Part of HuffPost Black Voices. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Thats where I come in.. I feel at home on the campus, and my time spent in the city has been mainly enjoyable. We always hear a lot about, you know, taking care of ourselves, but its so important that we take care of each other. As an assistant producer on Up To Date, my goal is to amplify voices of people who serve as pioneers in their respective fields while shedding light on issues that affect underserved communities. According to Ford, BEU has that office in the Lincoln Building rent free for five years as part of the undisclosed settlement of the organizations lawsuit with Service. A GuideStar Pro report containing the following information is available for this organization: This information is only available for subscribers and in Premium reports. 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. I visited Nile Valley Aquaponics with a group of fellow Black homeschool families in 2017. 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. 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. All this week, the nonprofit Generating Income for Tomorrow is raising money to support five Black-led organizations. Kansas City, MO 64106 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. This is Give Black KC Week a fundraiser for Black-led organizations in the metro. On the UrbnHub Facebook group, Martins promotes entrepreneurship resources, vaccination events, school events, food banks, employment fairs and other resources to her 477 members. That they dont belong. A Kansas City non-profit with the mission of promoting economic development in the city's urban core is under federal investigation. 8645 College Blvd., # 110 A mix of clouds and sun with gusty winds. Get started with eight dining recommendations from local foodie Kasim Hardaway. There, I experienced a sense of belonging and comfort that I had struggled to create for myself in Kansas City. In other communities, local business associations can help find resources. 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.". Morris said the rest of the homes in her community have absent owners who maintain the homes poorly. Let us know. Skip to: GIFT is partnering with the United Way for this campaign. 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. Need the ability to download nonprofit data and more advanced search options? Kansas City needs to provide more resources directly to low-income people to create true economic mobility. 3200 Wayne Ave., Suite 204 Yes I was looking before I was old enough to pay rent. Now, how will your actions answer? On Sept. 18, 2014, John A. Service confirms hes in the process of hiring a property manager for the Lincoln Building. d.head.appendChild(e); 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. Managing Editor: Denise Jordan Incite works to end violence against women of color through organizing events, conferences, circulating newsletters and strategic political initiatives. If you have an idea for a column, please read the guidelines for contributors. Stop the gentrification of neighborhoods near Troost and develop the neighborhood for those that already live there: keep it affordable, remodel whats there, and bring in businesses that the current residents need and want. Olathe superintendent spars with Kansas Republicans over why so many K-12 teachers are leaving. The 41 Action News Investigators have also reached out to other BEU leaders, including current interim Director Cathy Brodhurst. "https://g.amp.travel", 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. We need more initiatives like this. Fairway Corporate Center Amplifying Black voices through news that matters. She knew it was important for students to have representation in the classroom. Please check your inbox in order to proceed. Thus, one area doctor is hoping to improve physician . She previously covered City Hall for The Kansas City Star and joined The Star in January 2020 as a breaking news . Share & Bookmark, Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option, Know about leaf and brush collection and drop-off sites, CCED - Central City Economic Development Sales Tax District, GO Bonds Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), General Obligation (GO) Bonds Detailed FAQ, Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund (NTDF), PIAC - Public Improvements Advisory Committee, Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity Department (CREO), City Hall Observation Deck Tour Information, Citizen and Business Satisfaction Survey Results, Filing a Discrimination Complaint (Civil Rights Division), Task Force of the Human Rights Commission, Contract Compliance Frequently Asked Questions, Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (MWDBE) and Airport Concession Disadvantage Business Enterprise (ACDBE), Custom Service Bill of Rights, Disparity Study Report, and Performance Measurement Reports, Black Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, Kansas City Kansas Womens Chamber of Commerce, American Indian Enterprise & Business Council, Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council, National Association of Women in Construction, Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center, Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Center, National Association of Women Business Owners Greater KC Chapter (NAWBO). Communal care is very important. They ignored that and moved forward with the sale and without a lawyer.". Sign up for our best content straight to your inbox, and join the conversation on our social channels. 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. The Chicken & Donut Deluxe sandwich takes a crispy fried chicken breast, fried egg, crispy bacon and sandwiches it all between two donut halves., "I could write a 30-page dissertation aboutUrbanCafs lobster grilled cheese. 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. "We'll track down any money the taxpayers have put into projects, make sure it's responsibly spent," Lucas said at the time. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Learning through measurement and evaluation help us better support programs that improve education, boost entrepreneurship, and help Kansas City thrive. The program gives money to cities - with relatively few strings attached - to help improve communities. 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. You need to build a relationship with your banker. 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. Contact: Karla Martinez 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.