Your Chamber at Work - February 20, 2024

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

There are certain messages that are a struggle to write, and this is one of them. To think, this time last week, our community was celebrating the hometown team winning on the national stage. Fans prepared for a parade and rally as Wednesday dawned with sunny skies and spring-like temperatures. It was shaping up to be a picture-perfect day.

Sadly, a joyous day of celebration turned tragic as selfish individuals decided to force fear and pain on the people of Kansas City. And now, we must find a way to heal in the wake of a mass shooting that took the life of a vibrant woman and left dozens injured – along with a community struggling to understand such senseless violence. Please know we hold you all close to our hearts as we navigate these disturbing times.

Many have asked how they can direct a multitude of emotions into meaningful action. I strongly urge people to get involved with community groups that work to improve public safety such as KC Common Good. Donate blood at the Community Blood Center or American Red Cross. Volunteer with our hospital partners, engage with organizations that aid first responders and support the KC Strong Fund through the United Way of Greater Kansas City.

And please, reach out to those in our community who may be struggling with the trauma that violence inflicts. Please use and share these resources developed for Kansas City by the National Mass Violence Center. We received them by way of our friends at the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, who reminded us that we are not alone in our grief. Or contact any of the outstanding mental health support services available throughout our region.

There is work to be done to ensure hatred and violence don’t define who we are, and I am confident that we will overcome this tragedy as Kansas Citians unite to show unfailing strength in the wake of unimaginable adversity. We are #KCStrong!

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING – THE LAYA CENTER

The Laya Center is a holistic wellness destination located at 1814 Oak St. in downtown Kansas City that was founded by NFL veteran Joe Mays' wife, Toyia. She founded this “herban oasis” after an extended effort to restore her husband’s health in the latter years of his career. Join us for coffee and conversation while learning about a wellness center focused on helping you achieve your fullest potential on Friday, February 23 from 8:30-10 a.m. Neighborhood Networking guests will discover more about the wellness techniques The Laya Center uses to realign the mind, body, soul, and spirit to elevate and propel people to achieve their highest abilities. Attendance for Chamber members is free or $15 for non-members. Learn more and register here! Thanks to the KC Chamber's 2024 Neighborhood Networking Sponsors: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, Delta Dental, Southwest Airlines, UMB, and Unbound.

LUMINARY ARTS AND CREATIVE SMALL BUSINESS AWARD

The Luminary Arts and Creative Small Business Award was developed to celebrate the vibrancy and entrepreneurial ambitions in our regional arts and culture sector. The KC Chamber sought guidance from ArtsKC, Regional Art Council, and other key arts and creative businesses and organizations to gain an understanding of how the Chamber’s engagement can best serve for-profit arts and creative businesses in our region– one facet of our growing regional arts sector. This award is open to:

• Artist-founded and/or artist-run businesses that produce original work and products, whose owner maintains individual ownership of their intellectual property.
• An individual artist business with exceptional talent and creativity, in any discipline, whose small business has shown outstanding growth, innovation and artistic influence.
• A KC Chamber member with a profit-seeking business related to fine or creative art who is headquartered in the Kansas City metropolitan area and employs 1-250 people.

Along with the Luminary Arts and Creative Small Business Award, the Small Business of the Year applications are open and available. Learn more and apply on our Small Business Celebration page. Questions about the awards should be emailed to kulikov@kcchamber.com. A virtual Small Business Celebration Application Workshop will also be held on March 5. Learn more here.

AUTHENTICO DEI CERTIFICATE OF MASTERY & CAPSTONE REGISTRATION

Registration is now open for the inaugural in-person cohort session that will begin in March, and is open to DEI professionals, Human Resources leaders and other industry managers and executives looking for deeper learning in their work to discover real solutions to building inclusive organizational environments that inspire cultures of belonging. This 16-month program is led by Dr. Andrea Hendricks, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Authentico, and Dr. Shirley Davis, President of SDS Global Enterprises, who are global thought leaders in diversity, equity and inclusion.

Cohort size is limited to 30 people, creating an excellent interactive learning environment intent on bringing diverse participants together to discuss varying perspectives that inspire a broader understanding of the world around us. To indicate interest and reserve your spot in the program, please email Greg Valdovino, our Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, at valdovino@kcchamber.com.

KC CHAMBER STAFF SERVICE PROJECT SUPPORTS KC PET PROJECT

Love for canine and feline friends was in the air on February 13 as KC Chamber staff, along with members like Brown Suga Bakes, Café Corazón, Gates Bar-B-Q, Grandma’s Office Catering, Inspired Occasions, Loews Hotel KC, Ocean Prime, Patrice’s Culinary Collective, and Swoon Cookie Crafters baked up a scrumptious fundraiser to benefit KC Pet Project. Sweet Valentine’s Day treats were sold throughout the afternoon to those visiting Union Station ahead of the holiday, raising $1,000 for the animal shelter. It was a fun way to partner with for-profit members in support of a non-profit member organization that benefits our community.