Your Chamber at Work - May 15, 2023

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

“I’m listening.”

That was the message Kansas City, Missouri Police Chief Stacey Graves reiterated several times during last Thursday’s Listening Session in South Kansas City. The session was the first of what will be quarterly events organized by the Public Safety Coalition, the group of 16 organizations of which the KC Chamber is a member.

Chief Graves outlined her approach to dealing with the city’s high rate of violent crime. It’s holistic,” she said, involving the police, the Jackson Country Prosecutor, KCMO city services, and social service agencies. “It’s not just a police response,” she stressed. “The only way we can root out violent crime is by working together.”

In the five months she’s been Chief, Graves said, she’s implemented new leadership training, recreated the Missing Persons unit (in response to public outcry), and organized a new Community Engagement division to work with community partners to focus on needed services and deterrence. In the near future, she said, patrol divisions will hold regular meetings to share with the public the latest crime trends in their community.

Audience members had a variety of responses: more community policing; diversity training for officers; better staffing and better pay; a more transparent process with Highway Patrol investigations of violent crime; improve response times; increased de-escalation training; and investment in troubled communities, including education, housing, and economic development – the root causes of crime.

Chief Graves told the crowd she appreciated their input and would take their recommendations back to her leadership team.

“I’m just getting started,” she said.

Here’s another event you might be interested in. On Tuesday, May 23 from 5:30 to 7:30, KC Common Good (one of our Public Safety Coalition partners) is hosting a KCMO City Council Candidate Forum. Moderated by KCUR’s Steve Kraske, the discussion will focus on violence prevention and reduction solutions. The forum will be held in UMKC Law School’s Thompson Courtoom at 500 E. 52nd Street. To register, click here.

SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS LUNCHEON

On June 14, you can learn why the KC Chamber’s Top 10 Small Businesses meet the criteria for the Mr. K Award:  business growth, employee relations, community service and commitment to diversity.   Meet Crema, DMC Service Inc., Quantum Resource Professionals, and The Running Well Store, Crux  and Parrish & Sons Construction, Resolve Counseling, Walz Tetrick, J. Rieger, and BASYS Processing. Find out which one will be named Small Business of the Year at the Small Business Awards Luncheon, Wednesday, June 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Muehlebach Tower Imperial Ballroom, 1213 Wyandotte in Downtown Kansas City. Not only will we name the Small Business of the Year, but we’ll announce winners of 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. Special thanks to the 80 small businesses that applied. The event will also feature a vibrant discussion of small business challenges in accessing capital. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is the Presenting Sponsor of the 2023 Small Business Celebration Awards Luncheon. The Small Business Presenting Sponsor is Evergy.

DOING BUSINESS WITH JAPAN

Join the World Trade Center Kansas City for Doing Business with Japan, May 23, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the World Trade Center Conference Room on the second floor of Union Station. This is the latest in our “Doing Business With” series, focusing on best practices, businesses opportunities, and industry overviews for Japan, as well as a focus on American startups collaborating with Japanese startups through a new program with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). This event is free but please register, as lunch will be provided. Presented by the World Trade Center Kansas City. Special thanks to World Trade Center Benefactor Black and Veatch.

CENTURIONS: THE ROI ON DEI

Join the Centurions for the 2023 DEI Symposium, May 23, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the KC Chamber Board Room. This year’s topic is The ROI of DEI. Learn how the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion can help with your recruitment, and especially retention from Michael Gonzales, NE&E Consulting & Co-Founder of the DEI Consortium. This free session is open to all, including non-Centurions. Executives, line managers, directors of operations and HR and DEI professionals are strongly encouraged to attend. A complimentary breakfast will be provided.

ATHENA AWARDS KICKOFF NETWORKING EVENT

Join the Executive Women’s Leadership Council on June 1 to kick off the ATHENA Awards season. Register for the ATHENA Awards Kickoff Networking Event, 8:30 to 10 a.m. in the KC Chamber Board Room at Union Station. Enjoy coffee and a light breakfast as you learn more about the ATHENA awards and connect with other professionals across Greater Kansas City. ATHENA nominations also open that day. The ATHENA Leadership 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 their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. Additionally, the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award recognizes emerging female leaders. Start putting your nomination list together!