Your Chamber at Work - March 22, 2021

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

“Hate needs to stop.”

That was the message from Missouri Congressman Emanuel Cleaver following yet another mass shooting spree, this time in Atlanta. He made the remarks Friday at an event at the Gem Theater. We agree.

My thoughts: The KC Chamber condemns the deplorable racist violence and deadly attacks against Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI), including the fatal shootings in the Atlanta-area last week. We stand in unity with the AAPI community and share our condolences with our friends and colleagues at the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Kansas City. Whether it comes in the form of extreme violence or hateful rhetoric, these attacks are unacceptable and wrong. No one should feel unsafe because of who they are. A diverse community makes us a richer, stronger, more vibrant, and better nation. We are committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, and supporting the AAPI community in any way we can.

The Chamber, Kansas City Area Development Council, and the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City will also be issuing a joint statement on the matter today.

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING – SMALL BUSINESS CELEBRATION

The KC Chamber’s annual Small Business Celebration is here! It’s more important than ever to celebrate and support small businesses across the KC region. Are you interested in applying or finding out what it takes to win the Mr. K Award and our other Small Business Awards? Join us Friday, March 26, 9 to 10 a.m. for our virtual Neighborhood Networking with Small Business Director Vicky Kulikov. She talks about why the celebration is more inclusive this year, how businesses can apply for Small Business Awards, and how KC can continue to support the small businesses that keep us moving forward. The KC Chamber's 2021 Neighborhood Networking Sponsors are Menlo and Unbound. The KC Chamber's 2021 overall networking sponsors are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, Delta Dental, and Mazuma. Our Small Business Celebration Presenting Sponsors are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and Evergy. Our CEO Sponsor is Honeywell our Superstar Sponsor is FastSigns Overland Park, and our Media Sponsor is Startland News.

HEALTHY KC ANNUAL EVENT & VENDOR EXPO

If we could choose one word to describe KC over the past year, it's this: resilience. Celebrate that resilience at our upcoming virtual Healthy KC event, March 31, 8 to 9 a.m. We welcome 41 Action News Anchor Cynthia Newsome as our keynote, as she shares her own stories of resilience and strength in her ongoing battle with breast cancer. You'll also be able to connect with organizations to help you cultivate mental health and other workplace wellness resources in our virtual vendor expo. Register now Thanks to our Overall Presenting Sponsor Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and our Premier Sponsor Lockton.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION WORKSHOP: CULTIVATING A DIVERSE WORKFORCE

Register now for Cultivating a Diverse Workforce, April 27, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Join Nicole Jacobs-Silvey, President and Founder of Connection Coach KC, as she discusses attracting leaders of color to your business, identifies how to create a pipeline of candidates, and explores the strategies for creating a culture of belonging that is rooted in both equity and inclusion. This is the latest in our 2021 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workshop series. Our Diversity & Inclusion Workshop Series Presenting Sponsor is Commerce Bank. Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Presenting Sponsors are CommunityAmerica Credit Union, Evergy and Hallmark.

THE COMMUNITY BLOOD CENTER NEEDS YOUR HELP

It has been one year since COVID shut down so many places that host area blood drives, including high schools, colleges, and offices. Only a few have been able to resume these life-saving events. Right now, the Community Blood Center has just over a 4-day supply of blood. This is well below what they need to supply KC and has made for a blood emergency in the Metro. Click here to schedule an appointment and find out how you can keep supporting the CBC. Area hospitals require 600 donations each day to treat patients ranging from trauma victims to newborn babies and their mothers to cancer patients. They need your help today.