Your Chamber at Work - September 8, 2020

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

The warning was clear: “The virus has taken us into the red zone. We have to take control.”

That message from Wyandotte County/KCK CEO/Mayor David Alvey started a one-hour virtual discussion with Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) across the region. The perspective the CMOs bring is unique – they’re on the front lines in the battle against COVID-19 and their message was sobering.

They’re worried about a surge in cases resulting in overflows at local hospitals and the inability to care for all those who need it. They see the unequal numbers of cases coming from our minority communities, and they’re concerned that the long-term effects of the virus are still unknown with evidence showing the virus can affect a number of the organs in our bodies – heart, lungs, brain.

And they asked the public to take seriously the “pillars of infection control” – wear a mask, socially distance, wash your hands, and avoid large gatherings. As Dr. Steven Stites said, “Do it for love.”

You can see the CMOs full presentation here on the KC Chamber’s YouTube channel. It’s worth your while.

Meanwhile, there was a fascinating lecture on vaccine development last week presented by the Linda Hall Library and featuring Dr. Barbara Pahud, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at UMKC and Children’s Mercy and co-primary investigator for the Phase 3 regional study of an Oxford University-developed COVID-19 vaccine.

HEALTHY KC NETWORKING FORUM: THE H.O.P.E. WORKSHOP

Learn about an innovative approach to healing in the workplace after an employee experiences a grief, trauma, or any sort of life disruption in our next Healthy KC Networking Forum “The H.O.P.E. Workshop,” Tuesday, September 15, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Workplace Healing LLC Co-Founders, Mindy Corporon and Lisa Cooper, will share an overview of their H.O.P. E. Workshop Training, designed to close the gap on presenteeism, lower costs associated with bereavement, and provide needed tools for managers, directors, and leaders interacting with an employee whose personal life has been affected by a life disruption. Register now for this free event. Thanks to our event sponsor Lockton. Healthy KC programming is presented in partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City.

WHY DACA SHOULD BE IN YOUR WORKFORCE TOOLKIT

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has provided hope to immigrant youth for the last eight years. We have seen threats to the program and surprise supporters. DACA's uncertain fate may seem risky for companies and their key employees. Register now for Why DACA Should Be in Your Workforce Toolkit, September 18, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Learn about the basics of DACA and how employers can navigate its future and continue to help share the American Dream in this conversation with Attorney Jessica Piedra. Thanks to our 2020 Presenting Diversity Sponsors CommunityAmerica Credit Union, Evergy, Hallmark, and T-Mobile.

UMKC CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS SERIES – THE COLOR OF MONEY: RACISM IN FINANCE

Register now for The Color of Money: Racism in Finance, the fourth discussion in UMKC’S Critical Conversations series on Thursday, September 17, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. Panelists Victor Hammonds, Director of Small Business Banking at 1st National Bank of Omaha; Nathan Mauck, Associate Professor of Finance, UMKC Henry W. Bloch School of Management; and Nick Richmond, President and CEO of Kansas City Credit Union will discuss and examine longtime inequities in the financial system that have kept families of color from growing wealth, and what comes next. Moderators are Gary O'Bannon, Executive in Residence, UMKC Henry W. Bloch School of Management, and Lisa-anne Uhrmacher, industry leader and MBA candidate, UMKC Henry W. Bloch School of Management.This free event is sponsored by the office of UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal and the Division of Diversity and Inclusion.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION WORKSHOP: NEURODIVERSITY – SUPERPOWERS & KRYPTONITE WHEN HIRING AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY

What does neurodiversity look like in the workplace? Join the KC Chamber and Job One for “Neurodiversity: Superpowers & Kryptonite When Hiring an Individual with a Developmental Disability,” Tuesday, September 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Discover what tools are needed to create and support a neurodiverse business, and how to help a neurodiverse hire succeed. You’ll also hear real-life success stories from local businesses. Register here for this free event. Thanks to our 2020 Presenting Diversity Sponsors CommunityAmerica Credit Union, Evergy, Hallmark, and T-Mobile.