Race Relations
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The Urban League of Greater Kansas City has provided race relations programs since 1920. Over the organization’s 85- year history, programs have been initiated that foster and promote social and economic stability for minorities, primarily African Americans. Throughout the years, we have learned that the best route to economic self-sufficiency for African Americans and other minorities is through education, job skills training, and employment programs that create equal opportunity, equal access and racial inclusion. We place a high value on programs that increase awareness and understanding of race as a color line issue. Programs that require blacks and whites to strive for authentic relationships based in respect and acceptance.
Program Description
We collect and dissemination data to proactively identify problems and leverage solutions. Current programs and services include, but are not limited to: Afraid of the Dark Community Dialogue Circles, Entrepreneurship Center (formerly known as the Business Development Platform for Minority Businesses, Wealth Creation, and, Increasing Respect in the Workplace.
Program Components
Afraid of the Dark Community Reading Circles
Afraid of the Dark Reading Circles provide a safe and open environment for blacks and whites to engage in authentic dialogue about issues that have polarized them over the years. The book, Afraid of the Dark: What Blacks and Whites Need to Know about Each Other, reveals the fears and misconceptions blacks and whites have about each other. Reading and talking about sensitive color line issues increase awareness and open the door to acceptance and respect.
Afraid of the Dark Reading Circles are an excellent tool for education business, civic and community leaders on the cultural aspects of structural racism. The Aspen Institute defines structural racism as the complex ways that public policies, institutional practices, and cultural representations interact to allow the privileges associated with “whiteness” and the disadvantages associated with “color” to endure and adapt.
In the workplace, racial awareness and respect are essential elements for creating a corporate culture that embraces diversity in such a way that efforts to recruit and retain minorities as valuable team members are significantly enhanced.
To date, more than 1,500 people in 25 different corporations, public institutions, and community organizations are Reading Circle participants. If you are interested in starting a Reading Circle, contact the Urban League
Afraid of the Dark Reading Circle is an excellent tool for educating business, civic and community leaders on the cultural aspects of structural racism. The Aspen Institute defines structural racism as the complex ways that public policies, institutional practices, and cultural representations interact to allow the privileges associated with “whiteness” and the disadvantages associated with “color” to endure and adapt.
- Afraid of the Dark (pdf)
Entrepreneurship Center (formerly known as the Business Development Platform for Minority Businesses )
Growing and strengthening minority entrepreneurs through business training, access to local financing, strategic planning for micro businesses, MBE/WBE certification assistance, business plan assessment and customized strategic planning.
We help navigate minority business owners through the micro growth and development of their enterprise life-cycle; and provide opportunities for business creation, growth and sustainability. To schedule an appointment or learn more, contact Donna Colding at dcolding@ulkc.org or 816-471-0550.
- Entrepreneurship Center Brochure (pdf)
Increasing Respect in the Workplace
Increasing Respect in the Workplace is a new component of the Urban League’s Race Relations program. It’s a 16-hour workshop designed to do the following:
- Expand awareness of how social events, organizational culture and individual histories collectively influence workplace dynamics.
- Explain the cognitive processes that inform and direct interpersonal behavior.
- Endorse respect as a core value to promote equity, enhance communication and achieve resolution in the workplace.
- Encourage meaningful change in workplace relationships through planning and application of new skills.
In this workshop, participants engage in discussions and activities designed to help them focus on their personal behavior and to set measurable goals for change. Each participant receives a portfolio that includes a manual, a wallet for affirmative reminders and goals for daily review, a set of CDs for learning reinforcement, and a box of inspirational cards.
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Brown Black Coalition
In November 2005, the League partnered with the NAACP and the Coalition of Hispanic Organizations launch the Brown Black Coalition. This body works to achieve economic stability and self-sufficiency for blacks and Latinos in the region by working together on housing, education, employment, economic development, healthcare and political issues.Working Partnerships
We partner with local government, civil rights and human services organizations, and corporations to remove racial barriers and foster social and economic parity for African Americans. Some of those partnerships include:
- Black Chamber of Commerce
- Harmony/NCCJ
- Kansas City Missouri Police Department
- NAACP
- Hispanic Economic Development Corporation
- Greater Kansas City Community Foundation
- Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
- WEB Dubois
- National Black MBA
Mayor's Commission on Race
The Mission of the Mayor’s Commission on Race is to help law enforcement agencies reduce incidents of racial profiling and improve overall relations between law enforcement and minorities in Kansas City. President Gwen Grant was appointed by Mayor Kay Barnes to lead the newly formed Commission on Race. Also serving on the Commission are Chief Richard Easley, Police Board Commissioner Karl Zobrist, Richard Zambri, Osmann Zarrieff, Mary Kay Phee, Joan Caulfield, Anita Russell, Marchita Stanton, Patricia Martin, Carlos Salazar, Peter Yelorda, Rev. Nelson "Fuzzy" Thompson, Rev. Sam Mann,Christina Esteban, Kevin Morris, Marvin Szneler, and Carolyn Vellar.
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Improving Race Relations has been an Urban League initiative since its founding in 1920. In spite of vigilant focus and measurable progress, so much more work is needed. Kansas City ranks high as one of the most segregated cities in the country. We are witnessing a proliferation of racially biased incidents and hate crimes. And with the changes on the political landscape, we can predict that race relations may continue to take several steps backwards in the areas of affirmative action, workforce development, law and justice, education, social security, and more.
The Urban League plays a leading role in improving and shaping the agenda for social justice and racial inclusion.
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- Increased awareness of the impact of diversity in the workplace.
- Increased understanding of how attitudes and habits toward others develop.
- Important life skills, i.e. communication, cross-cultural teambuilding and conflict resolution skills, and techniques for managing limiting behaviors.
- Opportunities to interact with and establish diverse relationships to increase access to education and employment opportunities.
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