KANSAS CITY, Mo. – KC Common Good has named Barbara Anne Washington its new CEO. Washington has already begun leading the organization and advancing its work across the region.
A lifelong Kansas City resident, practicing attorney and community advocate, Washington was elected to represent Missouri’s 9th Senatorial District in 2020 and again in 2024 after serving three years in the Missouri House. She holds degrees in journalism, business administration and law.
In her time as a community advocate and public representative, Washington has advanced economic and community development, education, juvenile justice reform, mental health awareness and crime reduction. Her accomplishments include helping raise the age for juvenile justice, passing the CROWN Act, establishing the Food Insecurity Task Force, and supporting an urban-farming tax credit.
She also secured state funding for workforce development, urban revitalization, community enrichment, youth services and the arts, and serves with several Kansas City civic organizations, including Metropolitan Community Colleges, Urban Summit, Freedom, Inc., Links, Incorporated, United Nations Association of Greater Kansas City, and Urban Neighborhood Initiative.
As CEO of KC Common Good, Washington will leverage her experience in public service, law and community advocacy to strengthen partnerships that advance the organization’s mission across the region.
“KC Common Good has transformed how community organizations, neighborhood leaders and businesses work together over the past eight years,” said Jeff Simon, chairman of the board of directors. “Barbara Anne’s leadership, public policy experience and deep community roots make her the right person to build on that momentum and lead the organization forward.”
Throughout her time representing Kansas City, Washington has championed legislation focused on violence prevention, victim support, firearm safety, criminal justice reform and community-based public safety initiatives.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their neighborhoods and throughout our community,” said Washington. “KC Common Good has built a powerful coalition focused on that goal, and I’m honored to help lead its next chapter.”
Recognizing Klassie Alcine’s Impact
Washington succeeds Klassie Alcine, KC Common Good’s founding CEO who led the organization since its founding in 2018. KC Common Good saw transformative growth under Alcine’s leadership, helping advance a community-driven approach to public safety across Kansas City. She helped advocate for the creation of the city’s $30 million Violence Prevention Fund, launched 5 programs, mobilized more than 10,000 community actions, and brought together public, private, nonprofit, faith, and community partners around a shared strategy that contributed to Kansas City’s lowest homicide rate in nearly eight years.
Alcine also helped launch and grow KC 360, a collaborative network that now engages more than 350 organizations and businesses. Through KC 360 and its Village Initiatives, targeted neighborhoods experienced a 49% reduction in violent crime, while KC Common Good expanded opportunities for youth, strengthened support for families, and increased investment in community-led public safety solutions.
“Klassie’s leadership has helped change the trajectory of public safety in Kansas City,” said Simon. “She brought people together around a shared vision, built partnerships that delivered measurable results, and created a foundation that will continue strengthening neighborhoods, supporting families, and creating opportunities for young people for years to come.”
For more information about volunteering or donating, visit www.kccommongood.org.
About KC Common Good
KC Common Good is a non-profit organization, founded in 2018. Our vision is a successful Kansas City where peace is a promise kept for all and every individual, family, and community has the opportunity to grow, contribute, and flourish. Our mission is to unite the community to address the root causes of violence and instill hope, ensuring a successful future for every person in the greater Kansas City region. To learn more about KC Common Good, visit www.kccommongood.org.