Jamie Jiang is a news intern for KCUR 89.3. Bullington responds by sending a 2014 contract between BEU and the city to improve the Lincoln Building. 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. Missouri state records show Prosperity Electric dissolved in February 2019. 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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. 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. Contact: Brenda Bethman Phone: (913) 432-3486, Dos Mundos Bilingual Newspaper Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. 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. . The 41 Action News Investigators, on multiple occasions over several months, have gone to BEUs office in the Lincoln Building seeking comment. Managing Editor: Denise Jordan The organization continues to mobilize and amplify national dialogue around state-sanctioned violence. 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. According to executive director Michael Watson, REAP began in the basement of Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church in 1982. I then documented by email enough cash resources BEU has to carry us for the next eight months. 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. Background: The African American Heritage Trail of Kansas City, Mo. The 41 Action News Investigators were unable to reach Parker for comment. For additional information on Black-owned businesses, vendors and resources in Kansas City, consult our partners at, Know of other businesses that belong on this list? Harris also claims that loan was concealed from him in his role as board chairman. UMKC Innovation Center "Why doesn't the city know where all the money that's been allocated?" It all starts with access to opportunity for people to improve their lives. Residents can help raise capital for underserved communities trying to build a better . Through partnerships with other local organizations, WeCode students can build projects and receive stipends to gain real-world experience. I, and other young Black people, need to feel that Kansas City is for us. 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. Phone: (913) 220-0281, Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce Cotton said that, because of the pandemic, it was impossible to get funding for her new business. 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. Sign up for our best content straight to your inbox, and join the conversation on our social channels. Phone: (816) 842-3804, Kansas City Globe Newspaper (weekly) The 41 Action News Investigators went to current BEU board member Martinez Denmon's home to ask questions about BEU. (function(u, w, d, a, q, e) { 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? Kansas City, MO 64108 1701 So. Give Black KC, Morris said, is helping uplift the nonprofits that are left behind. 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?'. 1475 Walnut Street By working with her landlord and sharing a waiting space with other businesses, McCray was able to keep Life's Work alive. Phone: (816) 631-1700 Contact: Sharmin Lang "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. Kansas City, MO 64106 e = d.createElement("script"); KANSAS CITY, Mo. A Kansas City non-profit with the mission of promoting economic development in the city's urban core is under federal investigation. They dont have a real business, she said. P.O. 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. A sign now on the window of the office reads, To mail carrier from BEU, please hold all mail in the post office. In other communities, local business associations can help find resources. Ive been looking at apartments in Atlanta since I was 13 years old. The Black Womens Blueprint services black women affected by issues such as sexual violence, abuse and incarceration. The group played a significant role in Justice For Flint, a charity event which was held on the same night as the 2016 Oscars. 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. But the 146,000 people who live in the six most populated Zip codes west of Troost and in. Contact: Kelvin Perry w.amptravel.q.push({ a:a, p:p }); Fax: (913) 287-5881, Kansas City Call (weekly) Three times BEU drew down Community Services Block Grant funds in excess of their immediate requirements in violation of federal rules and regulations. Speaking from an upstairs window, Denmon said, "Get off my property.". Box 411511 Contact: Karla Martinez Despite Harris' claim that BEU gave $69,000 to an unqualified contractor to the fix the elevator, Wood says the remaining funds were not given to BEU and re-purposed. This facility welcomes more than 75,000 thought leaders per year. Kansas City, MO 64110 In 2003, former BEU Director Sylvester Holmes pleaded guilty in federal court to embezzling $33,000 of the organization's money. Officers, directors, trustees, and key employees, Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics, Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools, Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations, Revenue and expense data for the current fiscal year, CEO, Board Chair, and Board of Directors information. 3200 Wayne Ave., Suite 204 It isnt meant for me. 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. Get started with eight dining recommendations from local foodie Kasim Hardaway. 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. Additional Email: usanaccc@gmail.com, National Association of Women in Construction(NAWIC) BEU paid the contractor in excess of actual expenses incurred. Thats where I come in.. 8500 W. 71st St. 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. BYP studies the attitudes and cultural norms of black millennials in an effort to maximize their life experiences. So far, Teachers Like Me has helped 15 Black teachers. I visited Nile Valley Aquaponics with a group of fellow Black homeschool families in 2017. We reached out and looked for partners so that we were not trying to be the end-all be-all but if we [could] find partners that had resources that would work that we could come together and say, hey Im going to send these people over to you I need you to do this, Randolph said. Kansas City, MO 64130 Learning through measurement and evaluation help us better support programs that improve education, boost entrepreneurship, and help Kansas City thrive. By: Andy Alcock Posted at 10:30 AM, Sep 26, 2019 Contact: Donna Porch The future of us is one of the nonprofits chosen for funding. And the organization severely lacks it. In 64128, the zip code I live in, only 47.9% of my neighbors own their homes.. Payments were not supported by invoices or other documentation. Sponsored by the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, NBWJI centers its mission on empowering black women and girls in the criminal justice system. Safe Passage is a curriculum based program that focuses on four primary areas: developing life skills both hard and soft promoting education including post high school opportunities like four year colleges, junior colleges, vocational and other programs and certifications leading to career fields community service and exploration of the institutions and cultures of Greater Kansas City. That term comes from the practice of marking racial makeup on a map and denying financial services to Black neighborhoods. Now, how will your actions answer? KANSAS CITY, Mo. I spoke as the newly selected Junior Advisory Board President. 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. Incite works to end violence against women of color through organizing events, conferences, circulating newsletters and strategic political initiatives. THE COUNSELORS ARE KINOFD FOCUSED ON GETTING PEOPLE TO GRADUATE THINGS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL GETNGTI KIDS TO SCHOOL. The Pennsylvania Prison Society is a long-standing organization dedicated to reforming the criminal justice system. 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. Editor: Donna Stewart Courtesy of Larry Henry. I, and other young Black people, need to feel that Kansas City is for us. Communal care is very important. Additional Email: kckwcc@gmail.com, Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce This is Give Black KC Week a fundraiser for Black-led organizations in the metro. Long before they were threatened by the economic shutdown associated with COVID-19, Dr. Karen Curls says that Black-owned small businesses were held back by the countrys racial pandemic.. Being the only professor of color, it was a big burden of working with Black students and teaching future teachers of color.. Academic, professional, and personal development programs are vital to the success of Kansas Citys Black youth. Smith said that the organization he co-founded, Porterhouse KC, serves as a safe space to ask questions and learn about financial management, accounting, legal services and more. The Trayvon Martin Foundation aims to spread awareness of the consequences of gun crime and caters to families affected by gun violence. Black students who have at least one Black teacher by the time they're in third grade are much more likely to enroll in college. 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. Want to explore Waldo? NONPROFIT GIFT IS RAISING MONEY TO SUPPORT FIVE BLACK LEAD ORGANIZATIONS. Contact: info@midamericalgbt.org The first extension, in February 2015, gave BEU an additional $71,500 for that purpose. She knew it was important for students to have representation in the classroom. In that court document - which Harris signed under oath and is still part of the public court record - it states, "Illegal wire transfer took place. 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. Contact: Christine Campbell e.setAttribute("src", u + "/v" + a.v + "/js"); She also says Special Agent Lorek has interviewed her as part of his ongoing investigation, specifically asking her about BEU. 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. 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. "We had to put about a million dollars in refurbishing this building," Thompson said. q = []; For additional information on Black-owned businesses, vendors and resources in Kansas City, consult our partners at KC Black Owned orBlack Privilege. 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.". 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. Kansas City, MO 64109 to get more GuideStar Nonprofit Profile data today! Phone: (913)371-3070 I want to be around for a very long time. Cotton said. WELL SEE THEN SO THE CHANG. 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. Phone: (816) 283-3456, Kansas City Womens Business Center We Are Here, founded by singer Alicia Keys, is a partnership of organizations working together to end poverty, oppression and homelessness. Kansas City, MO 64108 Not only in those buildings, but in that area, in the Power & Light District. It's about equality but also equity. 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. }; Seems simple, say members of a Kansas City Health Equity Learning and Action Network working group. Randolph added that people have to understand the difference between creating a job and starting a business. Amplifying Black voices through news that matters. Yes I was looking before I was old enough to pay rent. I remember thinking, as soon as I stepped into that place: I do not belong here. Despite these red flags, the city continued to fund BEU. Morris said the rest of the homes in her community have absent owners who maintain the homes poorly. Court records show BEU still has 11 active liens against it for unpaid bills dating as far back as 27 years. 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. In BEU's case, the city money in question comes from the federal community block grant program. 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. Despite two contract extensions the city gave BEU to complete the work, it wasn't finished by September, 2016. Kansas City is becoming more welcoming for black women who want to start their own businesses. According to Service and former BEU Board Chairman William Harris, no elevator work was ever done. PO Box 1312 In an email response to the 41 Action News Investigators, Dixon called Harris' accusations against him "false, unfair and unwarranted.". You need to build a relationship with your banker. KCUR serves the Kansas City region with breaking news and powerful storytelling. I dont hear about those opportunities very often in Kansas City. KC Chapter Information Info@WCOEKC.org 4220 Shawnee Mission Pkwy #350b Kauffmans Currents features stories and insights that underscore the essential role of education and entrepreneurship in empowering all people to shape their futures, create vibrant communities, and grow an inclusive economy. 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. Generating Income for Tomorrow is raising money to support five Black-led organizations. Organizers are hoping to raise a half-million dollars in just five days. The project comes from the work that founder and president Terri Barnes has been doing for 20 years. And, its a misconception that running a business is easier than working for someone else, Randolph added. The contractor generated its own invoices and paid itself from the agency's account without agency personnel involvement. There's so many different types of people in the urban core, Martins said. Fierce is New York-based organization catering to the extremely underserved LGBT youth of color. "We've settled the litigation. I wouldn't have stood for it," Wood said. Contact: Teshauna Dawkins Associates of the Kauffman Foundation work in partnership with people who share a passion for entrepreneurship and education. There are no source documents, contracts, orders or other to show where that money went.". Kansas City, MO 64106
A lot of people, they dont have a business, theyve created a job. Please check out AAHTKC.ORG and use our sites page to submit your sites or stories! A lot of the folks that we serve are afraid of systems. Black Lives Matter was formed in response to the, BAJIs efforts to unite black immigrants and African Americans is extremely crucial to overcoming the current, Blackout curates a unique way to protest the repetitive inattention to the work of black artists by tuning out from events like the Academy Awards. 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. I was sure there was a future for me down south. If Im going to consider Kansas City my long-term home in the future, there are several changes that would have to occur first. 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. Contact:Joe MabinorGabe Perez Learn more Buckner also hopes this grant will help WeCode grow larger and partner with businesses in other parts of the nation. 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. After jobs in several different sectors, McCray decided to start her business while working as a full-time therapist. Harris also opposed the sale and said Lyman and BEU Treasurer Charles Parker lied to him about the the sale's purpose. GIFT is partnering with the United Way for this campaign. [CDATA[// >. It provides scholarships to inner-city students based on character and motivation, not strictly test scores. "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. Awesome Ambitions was the key to my high school success. 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. Records show the city gave BEU two contract extensions to complete work on the Lincoln Building. Owner Nika Cotton said her shop provides comfort and self-care for the Black community. Phone: (816) 666-9407, Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Center (MOPTAC) Dacia Martins started UrbnHub during the pandemic to connect families with organizations that serve the urban core. 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. "You don't necessarily have to be a millionaire to make changes in people's lives is really cool," Latimer said. Banks can be reluctant to lend to Black-owned businesses and nonprofits. The contractor had control of the account and periodically transferred money out of the account. 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. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. BEU was one of only two agencies not to submit its financial reports and internal control analysis for the city auditors review on time. Let us know. Many students may not be interested or be able to afford to go to college. Founded in 1910, The National Urban League uses programs, research and advocacy to advance civil rights for people of color. All this week, the nonprofit Generating Income for Tomorrow is raising money to support five Black-led organizations. And truly, its unjust for the burden of change to fall on Black youth when inequity is consistently maintained by those with power and privilege. Kansas City, MO 64110 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 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. Learn More They ignored that and moved forward with the sale and without a lawyer.". Help us get you more of the nonprofit information you need, including: An email has been sent to the address you provided. Otherwise, my young, diverse generation will take our talent, leadership, and drive to create equitable, anti-racist communities elsewhere. We always hear a lot about, you know, taking care of ourselves, but its so important that we take care of each other. Outside of the abovementioned occasion, Ive only ever driven through P&L; its never been a destination for me. Wichita, KS 67214 a = w.amptravel = function(a, p) { 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. 4200 Little Blue Parkway, Suite 590 Click here to resend it.). I was attending a reception with Sisters Circle of Greater Kansas City, an organization which had awarded a large grant to Awesome Ambitions. Rapper Common founded this organization in the 1990s to provide greater opportunities for under-serviced children through mentorship, community service and the arts. Cut50 is a project by The DreamCorps that aims to reduce the number of people incarcerated through awareness campaigns like #DayofEmpathy and #ClemencyNOW. If you have an idea for a column, please read the guidelines for contributors. That they dont belong. 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. High near 65F. I ultimately remained in Missouri for college, attending Washington University in St. Louis. ); 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." 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. If its the right bank they can advocate for you, she added. Fax: (816) 442-8682 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.. Kansas City, MO 64108 A lot of people in the community are afraid of systems. That same tax record shows salaries and other employee benefits rose from $7,540 in 2015 to $79,361 in 2016. Of the 107,000 residents who live east of Troost, more than 75% are Black. Former BEU Board Chairman Chester Thompson spoke about fixing up the Lincoln Building in a YouTube video recorded at that building in 2012. 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. Calloway said large corporations told him they were afraid to invest in GIFT in its early days. 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. 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. "We'll track down any money the taxpayers have put into projects, make sure it's responsibly spent," Lucas said at the time. I was blessed to have the experience of being a member of Awesome Ambitions, a career- and college-readiness program founded by Cynthia Newsome for girls in grades 8-12. Banks that Cotton approached for startup capital would only lend to existing businesses. The opportunities to supportKC's local Black-owned businesses are vast, from favorite area restaurants to bookstores that foster a connected community of readers. It's leading up to the Juneteenth holiday . 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.