Your Chamber at Work - June 5, 2023

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

Before you know how to move forward, you have to understand where you are.

That’s the premise behind the KC Chamber’s upcoming Education Data for Action Summit, and business leaders across the metro are invited.

Unfortunately, the long-term impacts of the COVID pandemic are still very much with us in terms of student outcomes and learning. We’ll hear from urban education researchers about how the Kansas City Missouri Public Education System (both district and charter schools) is faring and dialogue about opportunities to improve student outcomes. Among those experts are:

• Dr. Jennifer Collier, Superintendent, Kansas City Public Schools
• Dr. Karen Chang, UMKC Center for Urban Education Research
• Dr. Angelique Nedved, SchoolSmartKC
• Noah Devine, KC Action Fund

We’ll look at the most recent student performance data, provide an analysis of trends, and ensure area business leaders have the most up-to-date data to strengthen dialogues on student achievement and the workforce pipeline. It’s setting the stage for community-wide action to support data-informed policy and advocacy toward improving outcomes for our students and families.

The Education Data Summit will be held June 22 from 3:00 to 6:00 (with a reception at 5:00) in the KC Chamber Board Room in Union Station. I hope you can attend. Click here to register.

NOMINATE AN ATHENA

Nominations are now open for the ATHENA Leadership Award. The ATHENA Award is one of the most prestigious honors for women’s leadership in our community. It is presented to someone who stands out in professional excellence, community service, and actively assists women in attaining their own professional excellence and leadership skills. Additionally, the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award recognizes emerging female leaders. The KC Chamber will celebrate the recipients this fall at the ATHENA Awards. Nominations are due Thursday, June 22.

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING: NEURO REHABCARE

This Friday, join us for the first Neighborhood Networking of June at Neuro RehabCare, and you won’t want to miss it. Save your spot right now as we connect with Neuro RehabCare, starting at 8:30 a.m. at their Shawnee location, 13021 W. 55th St. Learn how Neuro RehabCare specializes in residential treatment for individuals with brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and catastrophic injuries. Free for KC Chamber members and $15 for non-members. Register here. If you can’t make it this Friday, join us June 23 for Neighborhood Networking at Charlie Hustle’s awesome Crossroads HQ. Thanks to our 2023 Neighborhood Networking Sponsors Rock CFO, Southwest Airlines and Unbound. The KC Chamber's 2023 overall networking sponsors are Delta Dental and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City.

SMALL BUSINESS CELEBRATION AWARDS LUNCHEON

Find out which KC small business takes home the Small Business of the Year Award on June 14. Register now for the Small Business Celebration Awards Luncheon, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Marriott Muehlebach Tower Imperial Colonial Ballroom, 1213 Wyandotte in Downtown Kansas City. We’ll announce the Mr. K Award winner and the Emerging Business Award, the Small Business Equity Award, the Weida Award for International Small Business of the Year, and the Legacy of Kansas City Award winners. Attendees will also hear a special panel discussion on access to capital across the region, and how lenders are working to get businesses in under-resourced communities a seat at the table to build success. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is the Presenting Sponsor of the 2023 Small Business Celebration Awards Luncheon! The Small Business Presenting Sponsor is Evergy.

POWER OF DIVERSITY

The region’s biggest celebration of our culturally diverse business community is back. Get your tickets now for the POWER of Diversity Breakfast, July 26, starting at 7:30 a.m. at the Muehlebach Tower in Downtown Kansas City. This year we’ll present the Ace Awards to mid-to-senior level diverse workforce members, and Champion of Diversity Awards to a business and nonprofit organization that epitomize Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in their workforce, internal best practices, and community engagement. We’ll also discuss what it means to be a welcoming community and recognize the contributions of immigrants and refugees as we prepare to become a Certified Welcoming region. Individual tickets are available at $80 for Chamber members and $100 for non-members. Tables are also available. Thanks to our Presenting Diversity Sponsor, CommunityAmerica Credit Union.