Events

The Black-white wealth gap impacts everything 

Author, Ex-Wall Street Journal. Black History Month

Media executive and journalist Ebony Reed presents data and context on the Black-white wealth gap to help us understand why today so many Black families only have 15 cents for every dollar in wealth white families hold and its impact. 

She is the Chief Strategy Officer at The Marshall Project, a national nonprofit focused on reporting about the criminal justice system. At the Yale School of Management, Ebony codesigned and co-teaches an MBA class with fellow journalist and professor, Louise Story about wealth and income gaps across race and gender. They are also coauthors of a book (HarperCollins, 2024) about the Black-white wealth gap, which is based on more than 300 interviews, their own commissioned Harris Poll and a deep dive on seven Black families – three prominent and four most people may not know. 

Ebony began her career as a reporter at The Plain Dealer, covering Cleveland public schools, documenting public education’s inequities. At The Detroit News, she managed the local coverage of the 2008 financial crisis that crushed many families and had a lasting impact on Black families. At the Associated Press, Ebony was the deputy chief over the 55-person New England bureau and she was based in Boston before moving into a national revenue-focused role. At The Wall Street Journal, Ebony focused on audience and community building. 

She’s a proud Missouri School of Journalism graduate and former faculty member. She’s also a board member of United WE and resides in Kansas City, Missouri.

Dr. Dina M. Bennett is the Director of Collections and Curatorial Affairs at the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, a member of the Smithsonian Institution Affiliation Program. The mission of the American Jazz Museum is to celebrate and exhibit the experience of jazz as an original American art form through performance, exhibition, education, and research at one of the country's jazz crossroads – 18th & Vine. Bennett is responsible for overseeing the permanent collection and institutional archives of the museum, including all loans and temporary exhibits.

Prior to this position, Bennett spent three years as the Founding Curatorial Director of the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, Tennessee.

As an ethnomusicologist, Bennett specializes in African American music-culture and has honed her expertise in telling the story of African American music and its various genres through her curatorial work in music museums. With years of experience in exhibition design, she brings a strong understanding of storytelling and the importance of establishing the historical and cultural context for interpretation.

Bennett is a native of Topeka, Kansas. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from Washburn University, a master’s degree in College Student Personnel from Kansas State University, and a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology with a minor in African American & African Diaspora Studies from Indiana University. WhiBennett has over 30 years’ experience in the music field and is an accomplished pianist.

DeAngela Burns-Wallace Bio

Bio: DeAngela Burns-Wallace, Ed.D., is president and chief executive officer of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. With more than $2.5B in assets, the Kauffman Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the United States, and approaches its work from the middle of the country with a solid Midwest mindset – working to build practical and workable solutions to today’s challenges.  DeAngela will be speaking on her vision for the Foundation and how that focus is on KC while also having a national impact in the field of entrepreneurship.

Dr. Burns-Wallace is an award-winning public sector leader and educator who has championed policies and leveraged resources to improve lives and communities around the world. For more than 25 years, her leadership has created equitable and broader access to opportunities, shaped policies that expand resources, and better positioned communities to thrive intellectually, economically, and civically.

Through her work with educational institutions, government, business leaders, and community organizations, Dr. Burns-Wallace is recognized for her ability to envision and implement innovative, data-informed solutions in dynamic and complex organizations that yield sustainable impact.

Service is also a cornerstone of her journey. Dr. Burns-Wallace was elected to the Stanford University Board of Trustees in 2020, and she previously has held board roles in numerous local, regional, and national organizations.

Dr. Burns-Wallace’s depth of experience has made her a sought-after expert, keynote speaker, and national trainer on topics including diversity, equity, and inclusion; talent development; organizational behavior; operational effectiveness; strategic management; and authentic leadership.

Dr. Burns-Wallace holds a dual bachelor’s degree in international relations and African American studies from Stanford University, a Master in Public Affairs from Princeton University, and a doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania. She currently holds a faculty appointment at the University of Southern California. 

The most important title to this Kansas City native is mom to her son, Xavier.

Business

Becky built and sold the award-winning communications firm, Blades and Associates, which served diverse organizations in industries from health care to aviation, from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. Before that, Becky launched creative marketing departments in other growing companies.

She has chaired boards of directors, both corporate and not-for-profit, and continues to serve on boards and their committees.

Becky is a Fellow of the Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program and serves as a mentor, advisor, and investor to startups and early-stage businesses.

Creativity

Becky enjoys a portfolio creative career of writing and making art.

She writes on topics from innovation and creativity to personal growth, and creates visual art by herself and in collaboration with others. See her art here, and see her writing here.

Becky has worked in live theater, and has created special events and creative gatherings, including a sold-out comedy show.

Community

Becky brings creativity to the communities she loves.

An active civic servant, Becky focuses her work as an advocate for the arts, youth and entrepreneurship.

She served for nine years on the Board of Directors of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, including serving on the Executive Committee and as chair of the Metropolitan Entrepreneurs Council.

Becky is past chair of ArtsKC, the Regional Arts Counsel, where she helped lead a region-wide community process to create the first-ever Regional Cultural Plan. She currently serves on the board of Starlight Theatre.

She’s served dozens more community boards including the Greater Kansas City Neighborhood Alliance, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Girl Scouts Mid-Continent Council, and others.

Education

Becky earned her Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism, where she was the Associated Press Hal Boyle Scholar and a graduate of the Honors College.

Becky has been a guest lecturer at academic institutions including the UMKC Henry W. Bloch School of Management, The University of Missouri School of Journalism, The University of Kansas School of Journalism and The Kansas City Art Institute.

Etc.

Becky is a bad cook, a hopeful gardener, a passionate tree hugger and a licensed private pilot.

She lives in Kansas City, Missouri, with her husband of 37 years, Cary Phillips. They have two daughters, Tess Phillips, living in Los Angeles, and Taylor Kay Phillips, living in New York City.

 A Visual Journey

I will describe the arc of my career from staff photographer to director of photography, freelance photographer/writer and current status as a hobbyist still engaged in making pictures of landscape, wildlife, automobiles and people.

Retired from the Kansas City Star in 2015.

Staff photographer, 1979

Director of Photography 1982-1991

Automotive Editor 1991-2002

Freelance automotive editor 2002-2015

I graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism in 1966. Worked for newspapers in Missouri and Colorado before joining the Kansas City Star in 1979.  I held various positions at the Star, including Director of Photography, until 1991 when I became the automotive editor. I left the paper in 2002 to be self-employed but continued to supply stories and photographs to the paper until 2015. In 2016 I was inducted into the Missouri Press Assn. Photojournalism Hall of Fame. I am a past president of the National Press Photographers Association.

Married to Susan, with two children and five grandchildren (children still live locally). We live in Leawood.

Audrey Coleman is the Director of the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, where she has held leadership roles since 2012. Formerly the Archivist to Senator Bob Dole, in Summer 2023 Audrey lead months-long commemorative efforts in honor of Senator Bob Dole’s 100^th birthday and the 20^th anniversary of the Dole Institute, including a celebratory slate of guests including Senators Trent Lott and Tom Daschle, and Wall Street Journal Executive Washington Editor Jerry Seib.

Audrey cultivates transformative program partnerships that impact audiences and engage institutions across the region and the nation. Her experience with public engagement crosses disciplines, generations, and political philosophies. Audrey’s resourceful leadership strategy centers on attributes exclusive to the Dole Institute including the leadership legacies of Senators Bob and Elizabeth Dole, their papers, and the vast network associated with the Senators, the Dole Institute, and the University of Kansas.

Audrey holds graduate and undergraduate degrees from the University of Kansas, where she was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society.

Michelle Neuschafer has taught first, second, third and fifth grade for 22 years.  She has a bachelors degree in educaiton from Kansas State, a masters degree in curriculum and instruction from Wichita State and a masters degree in Science of Leadership from Baker University.  She has taught at a charter school, title one school and is currently teaching at Cedar Creek Elementary, which is part of the Olathe School District.  She asked her first graders questions about Easter and will join Plaza Rotarians to report on what First Graders Say About Easter.

An Agent of Change speaks on The Other Kansas City, and Finding Solutions

Johnny Waller Jr. is the C.E.O of The JLW Group L.L.C & Clear My Record Expungement Program Manager at the UMKC School of Law . When Mr. Waller is not working on his organizations, he works in the community on various social justice issues ranging from the reduction of violence to the civil restoration of second chance citizens rights. He has also worked to pass local and state legislation along with members of the community in an effort to build a united, more equitable Kansas City. Mr. Waller graduated with honors from Johnson County Community College with an associate degree in Business Administration. He also holds a Bachelor degree in Business Management and Master degree in Organizational Leadership and Development from Rockhurst University. In 2018, He was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma for academic excellence in business studies.

Mr. Waller is currently a board member with Synergy Services and brand ambassador at G.I.F.T (Generating Income for Tomorrow) and serves on various committees throughout Kansas City including the GreenLight Fund, Minority Business Coalition and founder of the Rockhurst University Alumni Group Of Color.

Today he dedicates his free time working in the community as a change agent. Having lived a life of crime and success, he has a unique understanding of what it takes to overcome the many barriers people face and how to change their life for the better. He collaborates with non-profits, colleges and other organizations sharing his story and experiences in an effort to help find solutions to issues that continue to plague our community. He believes that through mutual understanding and hope that we all can make a profound positive impact in our community.

Founder & President, Plaza Area Council

The Plaza Area Council has come to life as a passion project for Kate who fell in love with the Plaza from her first sighting, when moving from Monte Carlo, Monaco. As a connector and community advocate, through many conversations with stakeholders, Kate saw the Council emerge organically to fill a void.

Kate brings a background of experience in Kansas City philanthropy: as the first director of the Shirley & Barnett Helzberg Foundation, a founding board member of the Women’s Foundation (United WE), program director for the Central Exchange, and executive director of the St Joseph Hospital Foundation.

She currently serves as South Plaza Neighborhood Association president, is a board member of KC Downtowners, and board member of the Brearley School in New York City, her hometown. Kate’s appreciation for this world class city is boundless.

Plaza Area Council

The Plaza Area Council represents the needs and concerns of residents, nearby neighborhoods, tenants, merchants, business owners, organizations, and visitors. They rely on the Plaza as a nexus of beauty, shopping, tourism, leisure, dining, history, exercise, and romance.

Our goal is to be the center point for Plaza Area-related planning and development projects, community issues, and placemaking activities.

As a collaborative organization, we strive to include a broad group of stakeholders and find common ground through active dialogue. We seek to understand varying perspectives and achieve a common vision for the future of the Plaza Area.

About Chappie: 

Chappie lives in Manhattan, Kansas and has been playing and performing for over 40 years.  He grew up in Salina, Kansas and attended Salina Central High school.  He then went on to Kansas State University and graduated with a degree in German from Marymount College in Salina.  His first band, The Ravin Bllues, got him started in entertainment.

He is currently an account executive for Eagle Communications in Manhattan, Kansas.  His shows are intended to bring back th ememories of the past through music.  Chappie toured with the Drifters, Martha and the Vandellas, The Ronettes, The Shirelles, and the Marvelettes in the late 60s.

If you like the Motown hits from the 60s, then Chappie Live is exactly what you are looking for.  In March 2013, Chappie was inducted in the Kansas Music Hall of Fame.

Brian Klaas joined the Henry W. Bloch School of Management as Dean in June 2017. Since coming on board with Bloch, Klaas has been focused on ways to grow the Bloch School’s awareness and engagement in the Kansas City metro. His key initiatives include modernizing the Professional MBA program, increasing overall enrollment and elevating the Bloch School brand.

Klaas most recently served as Senior Associate Dean for Research and Academics and Director of the Riegel & Emory Human Resource Center at the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina. Klaas is also a Professor of Management and previously served as Chair of the Department of Management and Faculty Director for the Master of Human Resource program. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Illinois State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin.

Klaas has published extensively in such areas as human resources, dispute resolution and labor relations. His work has been published in some of the leading journals in his field, including Academy of Management Review, Academy of Management Journal, Journal of Applied Psychology and Human Resource Management, among others. He also has served on the editorial boards for a number of these journals and has had his research funded by organizations such as the Society for Human Resource Management, the Upjohn Institute and the Gevity Institute.

ESTHER GEORGE Session Description

The post-pandemic recovery for the U.S. economy has been marked by strong growth, a tight labor market and high inflation.  Policymakers at the Fed and Treasury (and the public) must now navigate the tough terrain of bringing inflation down and addressing the consequences of deficit spending in an expansion.  Ms George will talk about the challenges and opportunities ahead.

ESTHER GEORGE BIO 

Esther L. George was president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and a member of the Federal Open Market Committee from 2011 to 2023. Her Federal Reserve System service spans more than 40 years including considerable experience as a bank supervisor.  In 2009, she served as the Federal Reserve’s acting director of Banking Supervision and Regulation in Washington D.C. 

George was actively involved in the Federal Reserve’s work to ensure the smooth and efficient functioning of the nation’s payment system, including leading the effort to establish instant retail payments known as the FedNow Service.  She hosted the Kansas City Fed’s annual Jackson Hole international Economic Policy Symposium. 

As president and chief executive officer, she led a workforce of 2,100 Federal Reserve employees serving the seven states of the Tenth Federal Reserve District through the Bank’s headquarters in Kansas City and its branch offices in Denver, Oklahoma City and Omaha. Under her leadership, the Bank was known for its community engagement, leadership development and technology services. 

George currently serves on the boards of the Hallmark Corporation, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the Peterson Institute for International Economics, the National Bureau of Economic Research, the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, and the Kansas City 2026 World Cup.   

Dunn is retired as of December 31, 2014 from JE Dunn Construction Group, Inc. where he worked for 40 years.

Terry Dunn joined J. E. Dunn in 1974 as contracts officer and was made Vice President and Treasurer in 1978. He was promoted to Senior Vice President in 1979, Executive Vice President in 1980, President in 1986, and Chief Executive Officer from 1989 to 2013. During his leadership as President and CEO, he led a team that grew the business from an $80 million regional contractor to a $2.8 billion national contractor. He retired as the President and Chief Executive Officer of JE Dunn Construction Group, Inc., the holding company for JE Dunn Construction Company and other affiliates across the nation. He was active in all facets of the business with extensive experience in construction operations and retired in 2019 as Director of JE Dunn Construction Group, Inc.

Mr. Dunn is very active in civic and community volunteer work. Upon retirement, he formed DD Ranch Leawood for Senior Executives who have retired from major companies and are staying actively engaged as investors, directors and entrepreneurs in corporate, civic and charitable initiatives. He is married and has three sons and a daughter and fourteen grandchildren.

An Agent of Change speaks on The Other Kansas City, and Finding Solutions