Your Chamber at Work - February 7, 2022

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

At last report, there were more than 95,000 jobs open in the KC metro area. Beyond the data, we’re getting anecdotal evidence from our member companies that they’re having difficulty filling their vacancies.

There is, however, an untapped population that can help fill jobs in our community: immigrants and refugees. They’re already having an impact: according to the New American Economy, immigrants in Kansas City are more likely to be working age, are overrepresented in STEM industries, and have already helped to create or preserve nearly 6300 manufacturing jobs.

Find out how to tap into this resource pool. The Chamber’s Welcoming KC is hosting a webinar to help you better understand how to support refugees and immigrants in your workplace. This virtual panel discussion will have representatives from local resettlement agencies on both side of the state line, as well as businesses that will offer resources, best practices, and cultural considerations that should be made when employing refugees and immigrants.

Register here for the webinar “Hiring and Supporting Immigrants in the Workplace,” and then join us Wednesday, February 16 from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. As a follow-up, we’re planning a Refugee and Immigrant Job Fair in April 2022. Details on that will be forthcoming.

SMALL BUSINESS SUPERSTARS

Who are the small businesses in your life that you rave about? The ones you trust and love to support? Submit your Small Business Superstars today! The KC Chamber is proud to recognize all the Superstars you submit and give them access to special resources and marketing tools. Have multiple submissions? Use this link. Submissions are due today. We recently had the chance to check in with one of 2021’s Superstars – Screenland Armour Theatre! We were impressed with how this movie theatre got creative to get through COVID at a time when theatres nationwide were struggling. Read their story here and don’t forget to get your submissions in!

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING: KIRK FAMILY YMCA

Get a look at the new Kirk Family YMCA and find out how the former Lyric Opera building was transformed at our next Neighborhood Networking event Friday, February 11 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at 222 W. 11th Street, Kansas City. You’ll have the chance to tour the facility, meet the staff, and connect with your fellow Chamber members over coffee and a light breakfast. Register here. Neighborhood Networking is free for Chamber members and $15 for non-members. The KC Chamber's 2022 Neighborhood Networking sponsor is Unbound and the 2022 overall networking sponsors are Delta Dental and Mazuma Credit Union.

COMMUNITY ARTS CONVERSATION

Like music? Concerts? Museums? Community Festivals? ArtsKC and Jackson County want to hear from you. Attend a virtual Community Arts Conversation February 9 or February 12 to learn about the future plan for arts and culture in the county. Anyone who lives, works, or enjoys the art in Jackson County is encouraged to attend. Register for either session here. Two lucky participants from each session will also win a $25 gift card from the organizers.

VIRTUAL DIVERSITY & INCLUSION AUTHOR SERIES – SECOND CHANCE HIRING: THE UNTAPPED TALENT POOL

Join us for our Diversity & Inclusion author series Tuesday, February 22, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. as we welcome author and economic researcher Jeff Korzenik. He’s a nationally recognized expert in second chance hiring who will discuss his new book “Untapped Talent: How Second Chance Hiring Works for Your Business and the Community.” Hear how hiring returning citizens benefits your workforce, lowers community crime, and is good for all of us.  This virtual event is free and open to all. Register here. Thanks to our Presenting Diversity Sponsors CommunityAmerica Credit Union, Evergy and Hallmark. Our Workshop Presenting Sponsor is Commerce Bank. This series is presented in partnership with the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce.