Your chamber at Work - May 24, 2021

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

One year ago tomorrow, George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis. His death and its ramifications echoed throughout the nation and the world, bringing a new focus on inequity and discrimination.

It has served as a wake-up call for the KC Chamber as well. Though we were already incorporating the principle of inclusive prosperity in our work, we determined that additional action was required. (By inclusive prosperity, I mean growth that creates new economic opportunities while ensuring equal access to those opportunities for all parts of society, particularly for the poor and the marginalized.)

Our efforts have been led and championed by the Black members of our Chamber Board of Directors, particularly Vice Chair Mark Garrett and Bridgette Williams, the two co-chairs, as well as Dr. Kimberley Beatty, Dr. Mark Bedell, Thalia Cherry, Wesley Fields, Pastor Ron Lindsay, Kevin McIntosh, Clyde McQueen, Demetrius Peterson, Dr. Dred Scott, Qiana Thomason, and former Board member Debby Ballard.

To better understand what the Chamber has been doing, I think you’ll enjoy Mark Garrett’s recent interview in the KC Chamber e-magazine GROW. Here’s the link.

You may ask why a business organization like the Chamber cares about these issues. We’re involved because it is the right thing to do. And because study after study has shown that those cities/regions that are most equitable are the ones that show highest economic growth.

Our work is far from finished and will continue. We know that the road to inclusive prosperity is a long one, and we’re committed to getting it done.

SMALL BUSINESS CELEBRATION CANDIDATES’ SHOWCASE

Cheer on the next Small Business of the Year and all of our prospective Small Business award winners! Day one of the virtual Candidates’ Showcase is tomorrow, Tuesday, May 25, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Day 2 is Wednesday, May 26, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For the second year in a row, the two-day showcase will be virtual for a Shark Tank-style event as each business gives a brief presentation and makes their case for Small Business of the Year or one of the specialty awards. Register for each day, and at the end of the day vote for your favorite presentation to win the Honeywell Fan Favorite Award. There will be one fan favorite from each day, and this will not affect the overall judging. Overall 2021 Small Business Programming Presented By Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and Evergy. Our CEO Level Sponsor is Honeywell. Candidates’ Showcase Presenting Sponsor is American Century Investments.

GROW TO GENKC 2021

Calling all interns and young professionals. Take your career to the next level and learn how to navigate young professional life in Kansas City with genKC’s virtual Grow to genKC event, June 9, 3:30 to 5 p.m. This free event is a great opportunity for young professionals and interns to gain career insight from a panel of their peers, network virtually, and hear a keynote from Carolyn Watley, Vice President of Community Engagement at CBIZ and KC Chamber Board Chair. Register now. Special thanks to Title Sponsor JE Dunn Construction.

VIRTUAL DIVERSITY & INCLUSION WORKSHOP: OVERCOMING UNCONSCIOUS BIAS

Register now for Overcoming Unconscious Bias, June 22, 11:30 to 12:30 p.m.  This free, virtual workshop will help you recognize, overcome, and learn to avoid implicit biases in business interactions is essential to creating a strong and diverse workforce. Implicit bias counselor Henry E. Lyons will teach the four steps people and businesses should take to manage implicit bias. Thank you to our 2021 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Sponsors. Our Diversity & Inclusion Workshop Series Presenting Sponsor is Commerce Bank. Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Presenting Sponsors are CommunityAmerica Credit Union, Evergy and Hallmark. This event is presented in partnership with the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce.

POST YOUR JOBS ON THE CHAMBER WEBSITE

Use your KC Chamber membership to help find qualified employees. As a Chamber member, you have the opportunity to post your open positions on our website. It’s free, easy, and will be seen by more than 2,000 Chamber member companies and the public. Log in to your Chamber account here. Once you’re logged into the Member Information Center, you’ll be able to add your job listing. Don’t have a Chamber account? Create one here. Reach out to the Chamber at info@kcchamber.com if you need some help with your login!