Events

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.

Virtual Board Meeting

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.

St. Francis Xavier hosts a meeting on violence in the city, featuring guest speakers: Rosilyn Temple, from Mothers In Charge, and Johnny Waller, former gang member and now a community activist. Rosilyn has presented to Plaza Rotary in the past, and Johnny will speak to us in August. This event is a great opportunity to hear their perspectives. The event includes two community engagement officers from the police department. Speakers start at 9 am, and the event closes at 11 am, followed by (optional) prayer session until noon. The event is free and open to all. Please register if you'd like to attend: SIGN UP TODAY 

Community Service – Santa Fe Place Historic District

Lindsay Jarquio has organized a new community service project for the Club in the Santa Fe Place Historic District.  Please sign up this Friday (or by writing to Lindsay) to volunteer on Saturday, June 1, from 8 a.m. to noon.

Club members will be planting flowers and clearing weeds at KC Monarch legend Satchel Paige's house, making minor home repairs, and working in the neighborhood gardens.  Erik Dickinson is planning for the Urban Rangers to join us.   Lunch at The Combine will follow.  Please reach out to Lindsay (lindsayjarquio@gmail.com) with questions.  

In 1931, the Santa Fe Place neighborhood created a covenant that "no real estate in Santa Fe Place could be sold, given, rented to or occupied by black people for a period of thirty years." Despite the covenant, in 1948, Dr. D.M. Miller and his wife became the first African American family to establish residency in Santa Fe.  The Missouri Supreme Court ruled the covenant unconstitutional and illegal in 1949.  By the 1950s, affluent African American families began moving into the neighborhood.  Read more about Santa Fe Place historic district here.

The Santa Fe Place Historic District is a 160-acre residential area in Kansas City’s urban core.  It is bounded by four thoroughfares: 27th Street on the north, Linwood Boulevard on the south, Prospect Avenue on the west, and Indiana Avenue on the east.

Editors Note:  This link takes you to an interactive map.  Clicking on the various colored squares shows the homes and pictures of historical people who were a part of Santa Fe Place:  https://kcmo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/attachmentviewer/index.html?appid=57275527b9784011a01eb3619130bd88&attachmentIndex=0&center=-94.5415%2C39.0382&defaultObjectId=61&level=11&selectedLayerId=AAHTKC_Sites_March21_1907

Training required for the incoming president and grants chair.

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.

A Murder Myster Event.  Save the Date.  Location and time TBD.

In-Person Meeting

7:30am Coffee

8:00-9:00 Meeting

Zoom host Karyn Eppler

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.

Advocacy and Awareness Group of Johnson County Birthday Bash -- 6 pm July 20 at InterUrban Arthouse, downtown Overland Park, $50 ticket. Event features: 

• Live Entertainment: Enjoy energetic music from 2 Proud 2 Beg, one of KC’s premier bands
• Delicious Food: Savor catered dishes by well-loved Smokey by Nature.
• Beer/Wine:  We’ll have non-adult beverages too.
• Raffle Giveaways: Participate in fun raffles with fantastic prizes!

Contact Haile Sims for more info: hailesims811@gmail.com

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.   

Nominations for the 2024 RISE Business Awards Are Open

Kansas City Plaza Rotarians are asked to nominate businesses for the 2024 RISE Business Awards.  The awards recognize minority—and women-owned businesses in the KC Metro area whose owners adhere to the principles of the Four Way Test in operating the businesses.

Nominations are free and easy, and business owners may nominate their own businesses.  Nominees complete the entry form, and independent judges review entries to select the top three businesses.  Kansas City Plaza Rotary Club members vote on the winner.  The winner receives a free one-year membership in Plaza Rotary and a custom promotional video.  Nominations are due July 31, 2024.

Save the Date – for the second annual awards ceremony, 6 p.m. Thursday, November 21, at The American Jazz Museum.

Jazz Museum

RISE stands for Rotary Investing and Supporting Equity.

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.

Ten Years After Ferguson: The State of Policing -- a FREE program by American Public Square -- will be held 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm Monday Aug. 5 at the Resurrection Downtown, 1601 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108.

Join American Public Square and Kansas City PBS in examining the state of policing in Missouri with law enforcement and civil rights leaders in a Week in Review special moderated by Nick Haines with panelists:  

• • Stacey Graves, Chief of Police of Kansas City
  • Darryl Forte, Jackson County Sheriff
  • Gwendolyn Grant, President and CEO, Urban League of Greater Kansas City and community activist
  • Jean Peters-Baker, Jackson County Prosecutor

Reserve a spot: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-state-of-policing-ten-years-after-ferguson-in-person-registration-914653251497?aff=oddtdtcreator

The event is Free. More info at https://americanpublicsquare.org/event/policing-in-kc/

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

https://givebutter.com/c/needleandthreadgala

Mr. Quatman is a licensed architect and attorney, who received two degrees in architecture from the University of Kansas and obtained his J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Bill is a member of both the AIA and DBIA Colleges of Fellows and he is a fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America (CLSA). He has been named one of The Best Lawyers in America and he is annually rated a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent lawyer.

Bill was in private practice for 24 years, focusing on design and construction claims. From 2008 to 2021, Bill was Senior Vice President and General Counsel to Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co., Inc., one of the nation’s largest design and construction firms. Bill now serves as an arbitrator and mediator with Quatman ADR, LLC in Kansas City, Missouri and is on the board of the Skywalk Memorial Foundation.

Attendees will learn:

The reason the skywalks fell and design decisions that led to a critical change.

What happened to the two engineers involved and how this event changed building codes nationwide.

VanTrust: Then and Now

VanTrust Real Estate was founded in 2010 in Kansas City, Missouri.  From the beginning, VanTrust focused on understanding the unique needs of its clients and the communities where it operates. This client-centric approach helped VanTrust build a strong reputation for delivering tailored real estate solutions. By leveraging its expertise and commitment to excellence, the company quickly expanded its footprint across the United States, establishing itself as a significant player in the real estate development industry and is proud to be named the 2023 NAIOP Developer of the Year.

Rich Muller Bio

Executive Vice President, Science + Technology Rich Muller is a seasoned real estate executive and a founding member of VanTrust Real Estate. With a strong background in architecture, design, construction, and real estate, Rich brings a comprehensive perspective to his role. He currently leads VanTrust's newly formed national Science + Technology division, identifying and developing opportunities across the life sciences, R&D, and technology sectors.

Prior to this, Rich served as the Executive Vice President of VanTrust's Kansas City market, overseeing a robust development portfolio. His extensive experience includes the successful delivery of numerous commercial real estate projects, totaling over $1 billion in value.

A dedicated community member, Rich serves on the Johnson County Community College Foundation Board and is actively involved in various civic initiatives.

Hillary Singer Description and Bio

Navigating Current Trends in Refugee Resettlement and Immigration policy

Please join us for an insightful session with Hilary Singer, a specialist in refugee resettlement and immigration policy. With a deep understanding of the evolving landscape, Hilary will explore the latest trends, challenges and opportunities in this field. This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of current policies, their impact on our communities, thus the future directions for effective advocacy and support. Do not miss the opportunity to gain valuable perspectives and enhance your knowledge on these critical issues.

BIO - Hilary Cohen Singer began her career in nonprofit leadership in New York City supporting education, coalition-building and advocacy efforts across religious and ethnic communities. Since returning to her native Kansas City almost 14 years ago, she has served as Executive Director at Jewish Vocational Service, working to make Kansas City a more welcoming place for refugees and immigrants, and providing holistic services to our newest neighbors to help them succeed. She continues to work to build bridges across diverse communities as a member of the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom Muslim-Jewish women’s dialogue group and the University Health Ethics Committee.

Zoom host Karyn Eppler

• A sign-up sheet will be circulated at club meetings until September 20
• Contact Denise Holt before September 20 at: dholt@linccc.com 

Kevin Honomichl was inducted into the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering Hall of Fame at Kansas State University in March of 2024.

Karla Juarez - Executive Director

Karla Juarez has served as the Executive Director of AIRR since September of 2020. She was born in Chihuahua Mexico and raised in New Mexico. Karla Graduated from the University of New Mexico with a Bachelors in political science and has a background in business management.

Karla’s lived experience navigating the immigration process has given her the insight and courage to fight for immigrant justice alongside her community. Karla has been involved in multiple campaigns pushing for an immigration reform since she was 15 years old . Immigration is her life and passion, as she witnessed first hand the injustices the immigrant, undocumented community faces.

As Executive Director, Karla hopes to implement a grassroots fundraising strategy and continue to empower the immigrant community to be their own voices by creating leadership opportunities for the community and building a grassroots movement that is committed to immigrant justice.

Free and open to the public, Rumba Latina is sponsored by Advocacy and Awareness Group of Johnson County and features music, foods, dancing, and educational opportunities. Held in downtown Olathe. For more info: https://www.aagjc.org/events 

Grandparents for Gun Safety's 11th annual forum is at 6 pm Monday Oct. 14 at Arrupe Auditorium on the Rockhurst University campus, 5401 Troost. The event features:

• Fred Guttenberg, gun safety advocate, father of a Parkland, FL, high schooler killed in school shooting,. He will be joined by two community gun safety advocates: 
• Jason Kander, former MO Secretary of State, head of Veterans Community Project, 
• Kyle Hollins, Lyrik Institute, a KCMO non-profit working with at-risk youth

Two tickets are $150. 

Details: https://grandparentsforgunsafety.org/11th-annual-community-forum/#!event-register/2024/10/14/11th-annual-community-forum

Zoom host Karyn Eppler

Eric Wesson is a Kansas City native who has led a diverse and impactful career. He served in the United States Marine Corps for six years, with postings at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and Marine Barracks White House.

After his military service, Eric pursued higher education, earning degrees in Political Science from Morehouse College and Clinical Psychology with a focus on Early Childhood Development from Howard University.

Following his passion for education, Eric worked as an elementary school teacher in the Kansas City, Missouri School District for five years. He later transitioned into journalism, starting as a reporter for the Kansas City CALL newspaper. His dedication and talent led him to the positions of Managing Editor and Publisher until June 2023.

In June 2023, Eric embarked on a new venture by launching Next Page KC, where he serves as the founder and Publisher. Committed to community service, Eric is actively involved in various organizations. He chairs the Board of Directors for Palestine Missionary Baptist Church of Jesus Christ and also serves on the Board of Directors for the Kansas City Museum Foundation.

In his personal life, Eric is a loving husband to Candance J. Wesson and a devoted father to Amanda Bradley, (Vincent)  Brianna McNeil, Erica Wesson, and Eric Wesson Jr. He cherishes his role as a grandfather to Vincent IV, Theodore, and Delila. Through his professional endeavors and community involvement, Eric Wesson continues to make a significant impact in Kansas City and beyond.

Caleb Buland, AIA, is a visionary architect, dedicated preservationist, and astute
investor with a passion for revitalizing urban landscapes. As the driving force behind
Exact, Caleb leads a dynamic team of architects and real estate professionals renowned
for their innovative approach to adaptive reuse and urban infill projects. With a portfolio
boasting millions of square feet of transformed spaces, Caleb and his team at Exact
have become synonymous with sustainable development and architectural excellence
in the heart of the city. 

Caleb’s commitment to urban renewal extends beyond the design; his investments
reflect a deep belief in the potential of neglected spaces to foster community and
culture. His designs are not just structures but catalysts for change, breathing new life
into forgotten areas and creating vibrant, livable environments.

Recognized for his contributions to the field, Exact's work stands as a testament to the
power of thoughtful design in shaping the future of urban living.

Ryan Sorrell

Ryan has a diverse background including working at one of the nation's most esteemed Black think tanks, one of Chicago's top Tech PR agencies, a top 3 global PR firm, and founded one of Kansas City's largest Black-led Abolitionist direct action groups during the 2020 uprisings. He was a key organizer in the October 2021, 21 day occupation on the grounds of Kansas City's City Hall following the horrific brutalization of a 9-month pregnant Black woman by a KCPD officer, and formerly, he was temporarily suspended from his college at Loyola University of Chicago for organizing the largest social justice demonstration in university history, before being pardoned by the President in the university's first ever pardon resulting from national outcry about the situation.

During Ryan's professional career he's consulted brands such as Facebook, Samsung, Amazon and Google. He is a recipient of the Civil and Human Rights Award recognized by the Urban League of Kansas City, Innovator of the Year by the Local Media Association, and Emerging Leader of the Year from the Institute for Nonprofit News. He has engaged in a number of public talks as a prison industrial complex Abolitionist thinker including on; DemocracyNow, NPR, PBS, a Kansas City Art Institute Lecture, a lecture at University of the Arts London, as well as the Annual International Symposium.

Most recently he founded the nation's fastest growing Black nonprofit digital news startup and community organization, The Kansas City Defender. Under Ryan's leadership the Black-led organization has broken over 20 national news stories, reaching over 50 million people and growing a social media following of over 85,000 across platforms since its launch in 2021.

Jennifer Sweeton

Bio and Description

Description: More than 50% of us will experience at least one traumatic event in our lives, and we know from brain science that even one trauma can alter brain activity. However, these changes don't have to be permanent, and with a little bit of knowledge and know-how, we can all begin to take steps to change our brain in the direction of health, maximizing attention, emotion regulation, problem-solving, and tackling unwanted thoughts. This presentation will present attendees with some fast, evidence-based techniques for brain recovery after trauma!

Bio: Originally trained as a neuroscientist, Dr. Jennifer Sweeton is a clinical and forensic psychologist, Amazon #1 best-selling author in clinical psychology, and internationally-recognized expert on trauma recovery and the neuroscience of mental health. She is the author of the Trauma Treatment Toolbox (PESI Publishing), Train Your Brain Card Deck (PESI Publishing and Media), Eight Key Brain Areas of Mental Health and Illness (W. W. Norton & Company), and the Traumatic Stress Recovery Workbook (New Harbinger Publications, Inc). She has a private practice on the Country Club Plaza.