Your Chamber at Work - April 11, 2022

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Newsletters

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

We need your opinion! We’re asking your thoughts on the qualities and priorities the next Kansas City, Missouri Chief of Police should have. The current chief is retiring, and the Board of Police Commissioners has begun the process to select the city’s next top law enforcement officer.

We’re conducting an online survey (here’s the link) and we hope you’ll participate.

The responses so far have been fascinating. When asked which leadership qualities are most important when selecting the next Chief of Police, the top answer so far is “Honesty and integrity,” followed by “Develops meaningful solutions to community problems” and “Holds employees accountable.”

As for what the next chief’s priorities should be, it’s no surprise that the number one answer is to “Reduce homicides and violent crimes.” The second highest priority according to the survey: “Building trust in our community.” And the third: “Holding staff/officers accountable.”

Survey results will be included in a report we’re preparing for the Board of Police Commissioners. That report will also include results from our Community Listening Sessions where KCMO residents have come together to share what they’d like to see in the next Chief of Police. The discussions at the five sessions so far have been both robust and thoughtful.

Our next Listening Session is this Thursday, April 14, from 3:30 till 5:00 in the KC Chamber Board Room in Union Station. Click here to register.

The survey and Listening Sessions are the product of a collaboration with 15 local civic, business, and faith leaders. Please let us know what you think.

MEMBER STANDUP

Join us this Wednesday, April 13, for Member Standup! KC Chamber members can take the spotlight at a great morning mixer in our Chamber Board Room on the first floor of Union Station, 8 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. This event is all about you. You even get some time to tell others about your business in the Members @ The Mic part of the program! This event is free, but please RSVP here. Thanks to our 2022 networking sponsors Delta Dental and Mazuma Credit Union.

SMALL BUSINESS CELEBRATION

It’s back! Check out the businesses applying for the 2022 Small Business of the Year Award, Emerging Business, Legacy Award, Equity Award, or Weida International Small Business Award. You’ll see them at the first in-person Small Business Celebration Candidates’ Showcase in three years! Register now for the showcase, Thursday, April 21, 5 to 7 p.m. in Union Station’s Grand Plaza. You never know who will take home the Mr. K Award, so learn more about each company now at this great event that brings together some of the best small businesses in the region. Full details and registration are here. Thank you to American Century Investments for once again being Candidates' Showcase Presenting Sponsor!

2022 Small Business Programming is presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and Evergy. Our CEO Sponsor is Honeywell. Our Top 10 Announcement Presenting Sponsor is UMB Bank. Our Top 10 Reception Presenting Sponsor is Bank Midwest. Our Awards Luncheon Presenting Sponsor is Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Our Executive Sponsor is CommunityAmerica Credit Union. Our Partner Sponsor is H&R Block. Our Associate Sponsors are Arvest BankCountry Club BankEnterprise Bank & TrustMazuma Credit UnionMenlo and US Bank.

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING: FLASHCUBE APARTMENTS AND PLEXPOD

Coworking space? Check. Luxury apartments? Check. On the KC Streetcar line? Check. Experience the Plexpod Flashcube space at our next Neighborhood Networking, Friday, April 22, 8:30 to 10 a.m. at 720 Main St. The Flashcube Apartments are close to the River Market and just a few blocks from the Power & Light District. Connect with your fellow Chamber members and check out this gorgeous space. Chamber members can register now for free; it’s $15 for non-members. Our 2022 Neighborhood Networking sponsors are Unbound, Bardavon Health Innovations and Kansas City Current. The KC Chamber's 2022 overall networking sponsors are Delta Dental and Mazuma Credit Union.

DEI AUTHOR SERIES: ALVIN BROOKS, BINDING US TOGETHER

Alvin Brooks has done it all. This esteemed Kansas Citian has served as a police officer, Mayor Pro Tem, school board member, and founded the AdHoc Group Against Crime, among other achievements. Hear from Mr. Brooks as he shares his experiences in the next in the Chamber’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion author series. Mr. Brooks talks about creating belonging in the workplace and discusses his book Binding Us Together. Register here for this free virtual event. Special thanks to Jeff Simon of Husch Blackwell for joining us in this dialogue. Thank you to our 2022 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Sponsors: Our Presenting Diversity Sponsors are CommunityAmerica Credit Union, Evergy and Hallmark. Our Workshop Presenting Sponsor is Commerce Bank.