5737 Swope Parkway Fax: (913) 287-5881, Kansas City Call (weekly) 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 41 Action News Investigators obtained a series of emails between Special Agent Joseph Lorek from HUD and Stuart Bullington, the now former assistant director of Kansas City's Neighborhoods and Housing Services Department. "He wanted access to their financial records, the property records, things he has no business having access to," Ford said. 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. Contact: Teshauna Dawkins 2918 Southwest Blvd. 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. That term comes from the practice of marking racial makeup on a map and denying financial services to Black neighborhoods. Editor: Clara Reyes Phone: (303) 623-3037, National Association of Construction Contractors Cooperative (NACCC) AAPC is New York-based organization focused on resolving issues of domestic violence, substance abuse, unemployment and HIV/AIDS in black communities. The program gives money to cities - with relatively few strings attached - to help improve communities. Reached by phone, Thompson said a lot of hard work was put into the building. Fax: (816) 471-8543, American Indian Enterprise & Business Council This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Many communities have business associations and chambers of commerce. This organization helps bring more Black teachers into Kansas City schools By Steve Kraske , Reginald David Published March 1, 2023 at 11:56 AM CST Listen 14:41 Ways To Subscribe Courtesy. 816-234-4784. Owner Nika Cotton said her shop provides comfort and self-care for the Black community. This is Give Black KC Week a fundraiser for Black-led organizations in the metro. Court records show BEU still has 11 active liens against it for unpaid bills dating as far back as 27 years. 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? Part of HuffPost Black Voices. It all starts with access to opportunity for people to improve their lives. Urban development in Kansas City often means creating clean, new, modern, safe living and social spaces for decidedly white, middle- to upper-income populations. w.amptravel.q.push({ a:a, p:p }); The African American Heritage Trail Website is live! "You give a little you get a little bit, you give a little, and we don't want you to diminish or discount the impact that can have," Gorman said. So, Kansas City, Ive asked my question why should I stay? Contact: Simone Garza The 41 Action News Investigators were unable to reach Parker for comment. By hosting after school programs and workshops, the org plans to train one million young black women in the field by the year 2040. Instead, BEU's attorney sent an email stating no one would meet with the 41 Action News Investigators. KCUR serves the Kansas City region with breaking news and powerful storytelling. Uncommon Voices columns bring new perspectives and opinions on topics related to the Kauffman Foundations work. Its definitely my mission to balance kind of self care with communal care, Cotton said. Kansas City, MO 64130 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. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Kansas City is becoming more welcoming for black women who want to start their own businesses. "We found that BEU was in terrible trouble, just a mess," Thompson said in the video. Contact: Kim Randolph Yes I was looking before I was old enough to pay rent. Black Organizers For Leaders And Dignity 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. 6025 Prospect Buckner also hopes this grant will help WeCode grow larger and partner with businesses in other parts of the nation. By working with her landlord and sharing a waiting space with other businesses, McCray was able to keep Life's Work alive. Black Americans comprise more than 12% of the population but account for less than 6% of doctors in the United States. Click here to resend it.). Contact: Michelle Shelly Cunningham, Director Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation | Kauffman.org, Content Planning for Events Intern, Public Affairs, Black youth panel conducted by the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, For the economy to restart, everyone must have the opportunity to participate, COVID-19 has revealed paths forward to address inequities in lending, 4 essential ways to expose the myth of meritocracy and build inclusive ecosystems for all. Morris said the rest of the homes in her community have absent owners who maintain the homes poorly. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. 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. Barnes previously mentored Black women and girls, but she said her mentees faced bigger challenges than she could address with mentoring alone. Ruby Jean's Juicery Most of the funding came from her own finances, and as it's grown, shes gotten a bigger space and hired more staff. 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.' *** 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. What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, Many students may not be interested or be able to afford to go to college. The group played a significant role in Justice For Flint, a charity event which was held on the same night as the 2016 Oscars. 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. 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. Now, how will your actions answer? 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 . According to Service and other tenants, its rare the office is used at all. If it is your nonprofit, add a problem overview. 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. "I was told that the BEU only had two months before it would face foreclosure and not enough income to pay its utilities. In an August 2018 email, Lorek asks Bullington for an accounting of all federal money given to BEU. "You don't necessarily have to be a millionaire to make changes in people's lives is really cool," Latimer said.Organizers are hoping to raise a half-million dollars in just five days. e = d.createElement("script"); I was sure there was a future for me down south. Outside of the abovementioned occasion, Ive only ever driven through P&L; its never been a destination for me. 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. If it is your nonprofit, add geographic service areas to create a map on your profile. 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. ", 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. A bank today is still less likely to give a loan to somebody on Prospect because its not seen as economically viable as starting that business on Main Street, said Brandon Calloway, co-founder and CEO of GIFT. All rights reserved. e.setAttribute("src", u + "/v" + a.v + "/js"); Cotton plans to use the grant from Give Black KC to extend her lease on the shop. 310 Armour Rd., Suite 205 Raytown Emergency Assistance Program, or REAP, helps families in Raytown through utility assistance and rental assistance, as well as food pantry services. Fundraiser this week will help Kansas City Black-led organizations, TO BUILD A BETTER, KANSAS CITY. Three times BEU drew down Community Services Block Grant funds in excess of their immediate requirements in violation of federal rules and regulations. Sign up to receive our freeWatchdog email newsletter, a weekly investigation in inequality from Public Integrity. I've been a teacher in the classroom, started teaching in 1997 and just noticed the lack of Black teachers in the classroom but also seeing the impact of Black teachers, Trinity said. Phone: (913) 220-0281, Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce On Sept. 18, 2014, John A. Kansas City, MO 64106 The same audit report says another BEU contractor had complete and unlimited access to the agency's bank account containing Community Services Block Grant funds which is federal money. Im all about the collective effort, the things that we can do. 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. (function(u, w, d, a, q, e) { I first fell in love withRuby JeansJuicerywhen I heard the story behind its namesakethe grandmother of the owner and operator, Chris Goode. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. Overland Park, KS 66204 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. 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? [CDATA[// >