Your Chamber at Work - August 10, 2020

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

Two items of interest to share with you today:

Medicaid Expansion passes in Missouri: It was an historic vote last Tuesday as 53 percent of Missouri voters approved Medicaid expansion. This has been a longtime priority for the KC Chamber, not just in Missouri but in the State of Kansas as well. It means approximately 230,000 Missourians will now have access to the health care they could not afford.

Urban and suburban voters put the measure over the top.

Expansion won’t happen immediately; the ballot measure requires the state to expand Medicaid by next July.

From Listening to Learning & Action: The Chamber’s Listening Sessions on racial equity brought us a greater understanding of the experiences of Black Kansas Citians and the issue of systemic racism in our community. They were also the best-attended virtual events we’ve ever held, with hundreds of you joining us online to listen and understand. 1700 attended our final panel discussion on the action steps the Chamber should take to move us forward.

Led by Chamber Vice Chair Mark Garrett, the Black members of our Board of Directors have been meeting to discuss the concrete steps the Chamber should take to address racial inequity. We’re reviewing our Strategic Plan to bolster our efforts toward inclusive prosperity. And we’re already at work on three issues identified in our Listening Sessions: access to capital; tax incentives; and police governance.

We’re also launching a series of what we’re calling Learning Sessions, beginning this Thursday from 3 to 4:30. With the advent of virtual learning, too many of our area students have been left behind due to unequal access to computers and the Internet. Bridging the Digital Divide for Equitable Education. Thursday’s session will take a close look at the issue of digital equity and will outline ways businesses can get involved in helping to bridge the digital divide for our most vulnerable. Click here to register.

Housing will be another issue we’ll be learning about. In the meantime, I hope you’ll read the guest editorial written on that subject by Dianne Cleaver, CEO of the Urban Neighborhood Initiative (one of the Chamber’s Big 5). You’ll find it by clicking here.

CANDIDATES’ SHOWCASE GOES VIRTUAL

Get a first look at the candidates for the KC Chamber’s Small Business awards, all from a safe social distance. Join us for a special two-day Zoom event, where you’ll enjoy pitches from the candidates for Small Business of the Year, Legacy of Kansas City, Entrepreneur of the Year, Diverse Small Business of the Year and Weida Award for International Small Business of the Year. Which ones will impress you? Who will impress the judges? Keep track of your favorite pitches from each day and vote for Fan Favorites. The Virtual Candidates’ Showcase will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day, and it’s free with RSVP. View the list of participating companies and register for August 19 here, and register for August 20 here. The Small Business Celebration Candidates’ Showcase is presented by American Century Investments. 2020 Small Business Programming Sponsors are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, with Evergy. Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is the Awards Luncheon Presenting Sponsor. Honeywell is the CEO level sponsor. Small businesses can really use your support and encouragement right now – let’s show them some love at the 2020 Small Business Celebration!

PUBLIC POLICY SPEAKER SERIES: ELECTION PRIMARIES DEBRIEF

The KC Chamber is pleased to welcome John Ashford, Chairman and CEO of the Hawthorn Group, to share his thoughts and insights on the recent primaries and upcoming general election. He’ll gather the latest intel, polling stats, and campaign reviews, and share them with Chamber members, including his thoughts about pandemic and social justice effects. This event is free with RSVP for Chamber members. Join us at 3 p.m. on August 18. If you haven’t heard John break down elections before, we’re sure you will love it!

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING: INDUSTRIOUS

Learn more about the flexibility and hospitality-driven workplace experiences available at Industrious during the KC Chamber’s next Neighborhood Networking. Grab a cup of coffee and log in at 9 a.m. on Friday morning, August 14, to hear what it’s like to work steps from retail, restaurants, and professional services.  It may be these things that attract clients to Industrious to begin with, but Community Manager Nicole Capolino knows what keeps them loyal and growing with the company. Find out for yourself! It’s free with RSVP. Thank you to the KC Chamber’s 2020 Networking Sponsors, Delta Dental, Mazuma, SS&C, and T-Mobile.

D&I WORKSHOP: SUPPORTIVE SOCIAL SYSTEMS FOR RESPONSIBLE RE-ENTRY

The KC Chamber is partnering with Reaching Out from Within and Renaissance Solutions to bring you the August 25 Diversity & Inclusion Workshop. Nearly 75 percent of returning citizens are unemployed more than a year after release from incarceration, costing the U.S. more than $87 billion in lost GDP. Employment, housing, transportation, and food security are among the difficulties that they face. But with the right support systems, these individuals can survive and thrive. Join us from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on August 25. The event is free to attend with registration. Thank you to the KC Chamber’s 2020 Diversity & Inclusion Sponsors: CommunityAmerica Credit Union, Evergy, Hallmark, and T-Mobile.