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The future of us is one of the nonprofits chosen for funding. 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. 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. Records show the city gave BEU two contract extensions to complete work on the Lincoln Building. My Brothers Keeper, an initiative of the Obama administration, aims to unite and amplify the voices of black men through mentorship. Phone: (816) 235-2891, Kansas City Society of Black Architects and Engineers The second annual Give Black KC event,. Wichita, KS 67214 Overland Park, KS 66210 Its unjust for the burden of change to fall on Black youth when inequity is consistently maintained by those with power and privilege. ALP is a New York-based organization that dedicates itself to achieving social and economic equality for LGBT communities of color. I am not interested in remaining in a city that is not made for me. The 41 Action News Investigators went to current BEU board member Martinez Denmon's home to ask questions about BEU. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. According to Harris, BEU's board neither voted on nor approved the loan - a violation of the organization's policies, rules and procedures. are joining forces to host Give Black KC, a fundraiser to support the Black community and entrepreneurs. I ultimately remained in Missouri for college, attending Washington University in St. Louis. Service confirms hes in the process of hiring a property manager for the Lincoln Building. 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. Contact: info@midamericalgbt.org Kansas City's GIFT organization seeks to build Black wealth by growing small businesses in the urban core, which have faced decades of historical discrimination 'It works.' Missouri state records show Prosperity Electric dissolved in February 2019. 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. Speaking from an upstairs window, Denmon said, "Get off my property.". 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. A Kansas City non-profit with the mission of promoting economic development in the city's urban core is under federal investigation. 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. There's so many different types of people in the urban core, Martins said. Kansas City, MO 64105 Despite these red flags, the city continued to fund BEU. Thats one reason Trinity Davis started Teachers Like Me. Contact: Kim Randolph Copyright 2019 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. 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. Now, REAP offers food pantry assistance to 150 families a week and other assistance to 25 families a week. KC's Official Visitors Guide is the place to find insider tips, local favorites and info on whats happening during your next visit. Cortlynn Stark writes about finance and the economy for The Sum. Know of other businesses that belong on this list? After receiving hundreds of thousands of tax dollars to fix up the Lincoln Building, including roughly $387,000 in federal stimulus money, $171,500 in federal and city money, and after securing the $400,000 loan, court records show BEU sold the Lincoln Building to Henry Service for $750,000 in 2017. Residents can help raise capital for underserved communities trying to build a better Kansas City. 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. Keep your current job, and work with us on the side. With multiple branches throughout the nation, The Innocence Project works to exonerate those who have been wrongfully convicted of crimes by providing free legal assistance. Phone: (816) 666-9407, Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Center (MOPTAC) 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?'. Black Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City Contact: Kelvin Perry 5737 Swope Parkway Kansas City, MO 64130 Phone: (913) 220-0281 Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce Contact: Kim Randolph 607-a Minnesota Ave. Kansas City, KS 66101 Phone: (913) 948-7680 Additional Email: info@heartlandblackchamber.org Hispanic Chamber of Commerce "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. Atlanta is a hub of Black history, culture, and opportunity a vital fact for me as a Black woman majoring in African and African-American Studies. Fax:(816)531-5256, Kansas City Hispanic News 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. That's why a Juneteenth fundraiser is stepping in to get Kansas City organizations access to capital. I was sure there was a future for me down south. In other communities, local business associations can help find resources. Many communities have business associations and chambers of commerce. That question has always felt easy to answer. It's about equality but also equity. Kansas City, MO 64108 Contact: Ardith Deason "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. "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. It provides scholarships to inner-city students based on character and motivation, not strictly test scores. 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. So, Kansas City, Ive asked my question why should I stay? Incite works to end violence against women of color through organizing events, conferences, circulating newsletters and strategic political initiatives. . 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. Calloway said large corporations told him they were afraid to invest in GIFT in its early days. To donate, go to GiveBlackKC.org or you can text GiveBlack22 to 41444. The farm also supplies fresh fruits and vegetables to the neighborhood, combating the food desert currently plaguing communities east of Troost. 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. I always order the oxtails and curried goat because #gobigorgohome. Kansas City, MO 64130 The Coalition will award $5,000 grants to more than 280 Black-owned businesses every fall between 2020 and 2023. This is a skill set that they could get a certification in and work and get jobs making $70,000 to 80,000 a year. Banking is a system, law is a system, education is a system and theres this myth of entrepreneurship and what that really is thats a system too.. Other panelists echoed that as a community service provider it is important to know how other organizations can help so as not to turn into a one-stop shop. Oversight of the funding is done through a combination of local and federal officials. According to executive director Michael Watson, REAP began in the basement of Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church in 1982. Buckner also hopes this grant will help WeCode grow larger and partner with businesses in other parts of the nation. 727 Minnesota Ave. The lack of quality education that empowers us when were young to have the confidence to break down a lot of these barriers is a huge piece of that puzzle. Smith said. Curls, Daniel Smith from Porter House KC, Nia Richardson from KC BizCare and Kim Randolph from the Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce talked about the impact COVID-19 has had on a community already facing disproportionate barriers from historic redlining and other forms of discrimination. We can pool resources in order to better serve our community.. All this week, the nonprofit Generating Income for Tomorrow is raising money to support five Black-led organizations. "I can confirm the Office of Inspector General (of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Inspector General) did sit down and talk to me and I can confirm that I've got information that the FBI is looking into that organization," Service said in an interview. Founded in 1910, The National Urban League uses programs, research and advocacy to advance civil rights for people of color. Phone: (816)923-5399 2918 Southwest Blvd. The MWDBE directory lists certified companies verified by the City. KANSAS CITY, Mo. "We'll track down any money the taxpayers have put into projects, make sure it's responsibly spent," Lucas said at the time. 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. Collaboration is key Randolph said the Heartland Business Chamber of Commerce ramped up partnerships with other organizations doing similar work during the pandemic. By working with her landlord and sharing a waiting space with other businesses, McCray was able to keep Life's Work alive. 1475 Walnut Street Editor: Donna Stewart When you're moving, especially as a young person moving to a new state, you know, one of the biggest worries you have is, where am I going to live? Nix said. 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. "You don't necessarily have to be a millionaire to make changes in people's lives is really cool," Latimer said. The founder explained that Nile Valleys products are sold to local restaurants, giving the community a place in Kansas Citys economic cycle. In other communities, local business associations can help find resources. Harris also claims in the court document that Dixon threatened to kill him if Harris revealed financial improprieties taking place within BEU. Cotton plans to use the grant from Give Black KC to extend her lease on the shop. Contact: Jauqua Wilkins She is originally from Colorado and said housing was a huge concern for her. The accusations come in a now-dismissed eviction case current Lincoln Building owner Henry Service filed against BEU in March, 2018. Phone: (816) 701-9890, Kansas City Kansas Womens Chamber of Commerce Help us get you more of the nonprofit information you need, including: An email has been sent to the address you provided. Kansas City, MO 64106 Website:www.wcoekc.org, Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (TAAC) Mission. 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. 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. Phone: (913)948-7680 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. 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. Learn more She believes that journalism If it is your nonprofit, add a problem overview. Lora McDonald, director of the Kansas City-based social justice organization More2, . This is jumping off point to begin financial sustainability for these organizations, he said. In Kansas City, patrons can find Black-owned businesses on Kcblackowned.org, said Richardson. Cotton said that, because of the pandemic, it was impossible to get funding for her new business. 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. Kansas City, MO 64105 Still, panelists stress the importance of business owners familiarizing themselves with local banks. Contact:Joe MabinorGabe Perez Generating Income for Tomorrow is raising money to support five Black-led organizations. Morris said the rest of the homes in her community have absent owners who maintain the homes poorly. 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. Contact: Joe Arce [CDATA[// >