The Independent - September 30th Hispanic Heritage Issue

Victoria Maureen Gordon and John Patrick Crowe, Jr. were united in matrimony on June 24th at St. James Chapel in Chicago, Illinois. Tory is the daughter of Lynn and Al Gordon of Chicago, and the granddaughter of Mary Griffin and the late Jon Griffin, and the late Margaret and Bernard Gordon. Jack is the son of Susan and John Crowe of Our Town, and he is the grandson of the late Donna and James Seigfreid and the late Kathryn Kerdolff Koslowsky and the late Joseph McLiney Crowe. Following the ceremony, the newlyweds were feted at a reception at the Saddle and Cycle Club hosted by the bride’s parents. The evening prior found the pair being toasted at a rehearsal dinner at RPM Seafood, hosted by Susan and John Crowe. Jacquelynn Gordon served as the maid of honor, and Henry Crowe and Martin Crowe shared the assignment of best men. Parker Gordon and Bo Gordon served as flower girls, and the ring bearers were Hudson Gordon and Walker Gordon. After a delightful honeymoon in Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic, the couple will be at home in Overland Park, where Tory is employed with EVERSANA Intouch, and Jack is with Crowe Logistics.

Natalie Watson

In The Spotlight

May 4th is the date for the Kansas City Museum’s annual Derby Party, which will be held on the historic grounds of the Museum. Amy and David Embry are the honorary hosts of the much-anticipated event. Guests will enjoy an afternoon of cocktails, mocktails, southern bites, live music, dancing, and the best Derby fashion in Our Town. Proceeds support the Kansas City Museum’s educational and public programs.

More at kcindependent.com.

Amy and David Embry, honorary hosts

The Mizzou Alumni Association is excited to announce the creation of a new affinity group for the nearly 7,500 alumni who identify as Latino, Hispanic, Latin American/Latino, Latinx, or having Spanish ancestry, as well as for faculty and any alumni interested in joining or supporting the group. ALMA, the Alliance of Latino Mizzou Alumni, was launched by Founding Leaders Ruben Valadez, Jacquelinne Mejia, and Our Town’s own Joe Valenciano. The group aspires to be a welcoming home for its members while promoting engagement, connection, networking, and collaboration. To learn more, visit mizzou.com.

Casa Mesa Imports, located on Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City, Missouri, provides a wide range of Southwestern furniture and Mexican decor. Every piece in the store is made from solid woods, reclaimed planks, and new, milled lumber crafted from artisans who use materials and techniques found in Old Mexico. Choose from selections of textiles, furniture, chiminea and pottery, indoor and garden decor, and yard art, or collaborate with their designers to create a custom design. To learn more, visit casamesaimports.com.

Latinos of Tomorrow, part of The Greater Kansas City Hispanic Collaborative, began in 2004 as a product of the KC BizFest Entrepreneurship Workshop. The original concept was developed by Crystal Perez, a Wyandotte High School student, and was initially structured as a Junior Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Its mission is “to provide high schools of the Greater Kansas City Metro area with a structure to assess and identify the educational gaps and barriers to college access faced by students. Once identified, Latinos of Tomorrow senior advisors and volunteers tailor a curriculum to counteract those barriers and mobilize resources to provide support.” The organization has grown into the largest educational program supporting Hispanic and children of foreign-born parents in the Kansas City area, serving more than 200 students annually. The organization specifically supports Latino students but will serve any student who wants to enrich their educational experience. Students receive guidance from a team of advisors, mentors, and volunteers in a wide array of areas, including filling out scholarship applications, identifying educational gaps, accessing resources, transitioning to the workforce, and more.

Bride’s Book

Abby Lynn Hale and Cooper Dean Heidebrecht were united in marriage on June 10th at Country Club Christian Church in Kansas City, Missouri. Abby is the daughter of Shirley and Dr. Richard Hale II of Garnett, Kansas. She is the granddaughter of Louann Hermreck of Greeley, Kansas, and the late Floyd Hermreck, and Leona Hale of Amsterdam, Missouri, and the late Richard Hale. Cooper is the son of Kathleen and Jay Smith of Overland Park, and Kelly and Mark Heidebrecht of Branson, Missouri. He is the grandson of Joyce and Don Disbrow of Overland Park, Karen and Ken Heidebrecht of Wichita, Kansas, and Beverly Smith of Overland Park, and the late James Smith.

The evening prior to the ceremony, the wedding party was toasted at the rehearsal dinner, held at Hotel Kansas City and hosted by the groom’s parents. The wedding reception, complete with a visit from “Baby Jay, the KU Jayhawk”, was also held at Hotel Kansas City and hosted by the bride’s parents. After a whirlwind honeymoon in London and Scotland, the newlyweds are at home in Overland Park, where Abby is completing a graduate degree from Southern Methodist University, and Cooper is employed with The Hershey Company.

Leigh

Mr. and Mrs. Cooper Heidebrecht

The stunning cake

Olivia DeMeyer, Haley Harrell, Riley Bennett, Bride Abby Heidebrecht, Maid of Honor Savannah Caudle, Madison Langford, and Kayla Kunsa

The bride and groom departed for their honeymoon.

(Front row) Best Man Patrick Haase and Groom Cooper Heidebrecht (back) Tylor Crumrine, Zeb Willey, Tyler Heidebrecht, Braydn Voorhees, and Jake Uhrich

READY TO DANCE

The 2023 BOTAR Escorts and Royal Escorts will join the Belles of The American Royal in the presentation and traditional waltz at The BOTAR Ball, to be held on October 28th at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown.

(Front row) Brayden Graham, Luke Fritz, and Harrison Polen (back row) Jack Denzel, Jack Dougherty, Will Stapp, and Bobby Kissick

(Front row) Jack Jerfita, Dawson Schroeder, George Embry, and Chris Angles (back row) Sawyer Smith, Chip Schloegel, Jacob Johnson, and Sam DiSette

(Front row) Preston Cowley, Max Kiracofe, Luke Johnson, and Jack Crampton (back row) Ben Hartman, Dan Scott, Marcus Teahan, and Jakob Coacher

Henry Freeman, Jack Murphy, Andrew Davis, Bobby Froeschl, and Tom Schotte (out of camera range) Porter Furlong, John Gilman, and Harrison Swartzman

Warm Welcome

Kansas City Ballet held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on August 18th to officially open its South Campus at Meadowbrook location for its School. The completely reimagined space now faces 95th Street and has doubled from two to four state-of-the-art dance studios. Class offerings have been expanded for all ages and levels of ability. The celebration continued the following day with an Open House, which offered a wide variety of dance and fitness classes for the community, free of charge. More at kcindependent.com.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater KC Chapter (AFPKC) will honor

TISH SJUTS with the 2023 Excellence in Development Operations Award for National Philanthropy Day on November 7.

Come recognize AFPKC’s 50th anniversary with a day of learning immediately followed by the National Philanthropy Day celebration. Honoree and event details at afpkc.org.

Angelo Zuniga, Bonnie Limbird, Devon Carney, Kansas City Ballet; Jeff Quest, Kaelyn Bell, Kansas City Ballet student; Kansas State Representative Stephanie Clayton, Jeffrey J. Bentley, retired executive director, Kansas City Ballet; Prairie Village Mayor Eric Mikkelson, Taryn Ouellette, Kansas City Ballet School South Campus; Grace Holmes, Kansas City Ballet School; David Gray, Kansas City Ballet; Marilyn Gaar, and Deb Settle (out of camera range) Kimberly Cowen and Kevin Amey

Barbara Storm, Kansas City Ballet board president; Jeffrey J. Bentley, retired executive director, Kansas City Ballet; Marilyn Gaar, and Grace Holmes, Kansas City Ballet School

David Gray, Kansas City Ballet; and Prairie Village Mayor Eric Mikkelson

Susan Mong, Lacey Connell, Jennifer Wampler, Kansas City Ballet; and David Gray, Kansas City Ballet

Kansas City Ballet’s new South Campus at Meadowbrook

BOTAR PARENT WELCOME

Ann and David Eckels opened their lovely home to host the BOTAR Parent Welcome on August 22nd. As a get-together and preview of the busy upcoming BOTAR season, the occasion is a perfect way for parents to become acquainted with each other. More at kcindependent.com.

(Seated) Hosts David and Ann Eckels with Amy Mattox (standing) Lindsey Horner, Robin Boswell, Lynne McElhinney, Meg Grandcolas, co-chairman; and Maggie Ross (out of camera range) Stephanie Freeman, co-chairman; and Jenny Waldeck

(Seated) Kathy Roney and Andrea Hunter (standing) John and Jennifer Hense, Brian Stuckey, and Christy and David Staker

(Seated) Brian and Ann Varney with Courtney and John Nelson (standing) Patrick and Kate Carr, Mark and Jeannine Wilkerson, and Trey and Bethany Humphrey

(Seated) Matt and Julie Mulhern with Natalie O’Shaughnessy (standing) Mike McClain, Sonja Stoskopf-McClain, Michael O’Shaughnessy, and Keely and Tom Terry

(Seated) Amy Sullivan with Susan and Rich Reid (standing) Steve and Jody Stoskopf, Britton and Rick Norden, and Kevin and Amy Walstrom

(Seated) Amy and Tom Volini with Patty Hummel (standing) Jon Beaver, Lynne Beaver, and Rob Hummel

(Seated) Mark and Cathy Frame with Robbin Reynolds (standing) Julie and Steve Zanone with Brett and Aimee Hausman

(Seated) Dan Crabtree and Maureen Mahoney (standing) Jan Grimm with Amy and Bill Moler

Lovely Luncheon

Loch Lloyd Country Club was the site for the Fireside Committee’s Spring Luncheon. Luncheon Chair Izabel Hodgson welcomed the members, and Cathy Brents presented Jane Nesemeyer, outgoing president, with a gift of recognition on a job well done. Ruki Neuhold-Ravikumar, Kansas City Art Institute; and Susan Nerman, Kansas City Art Institute board chair; shared remarks with the guests. Mary Ann Worthington, Izabel Hodgson, and Gina Bernasek were the co-hosts. The festivities included the installation of Lynne Weilert, the incoming president, along with the board members, and also a raffle. More at kcindependent.com.

Outgoing Board Members: Jane Nesemeyer, president; Angie McIntire, directory; Lynne Weilert, vice president; Patty Bibler, treasurer; Carolyn Hanson, emails; Izabel Hodgson, past president; Carol Keating, corresponding secretary; and Linda Hartman, recording secretary

Jane Nesemeyer, outgoing president; Ruki Neuhold-Ravikumar, Kansas City Art Institute; Chadwick Brooks, Kansas City Art Institute; and Lynne Weilert, incoming president

The Hispanic Economic Development Corporation of Greater Kansas City (HEDC) was founded in 1993 as “a certified 501(c)(3) not-for-profit Community Development Corporation. It was founded for the purpose of developing and implementing economic development initiatives that would positively contribute to the quality of life for Latinos in the Greater Kansas City area.” The organization offers a continuum of services, including the First Step FastTrac and Primer Paso FastTrac (Spanish language version) entrepreneurial training programs, which help entrepreneurs with a set of resources to help start and grow successful businesses. HEDC also has a computer center in partnership with the Mission Economic Development Corporation. Computer training and adult education are provided through a standardized English-Spanish training curriculum.

Incoming Board Members: Lynne Weilert, president; Bobbi Bash, vice president; Linda Hartman, recording secretary; Patti Bibler, treasurer; Margaret Lesher, corresponding secretary; Jane Nesemeyer, past president; and Angie McIntire, directory

Mary Ann Worthington, Izabel Hodgson, and Gina Bernasek, hosts

Jane Nesemeyer, outgoing president; and Cathy Brents

Carol Meierotto, Jackie Stokes, Carolyn Hanson, Fran Johnson, Gay Dickey, Shirley Heilman, Maggie Jacobs, and Joyce Middendorf

Forties Fun

The New Theatre Scholarship Guild’s annual event featured a “1940s Canteen Jazz Party” theme. Caryn Hastings served as the chairman of the August 27th event, which was held at the Johnson County Museum. Partygoers enjoyed a nostalgic experience of the USO-World War II era, complete with 1940’s food, culture, and decor, in addition to great entertainment from the Brad Gregory Jazz Septet and The KC Swingsters. Proceeds provide performing arts students at Kansas State University, The University of Kansas, University of Missouri-Kansas City, and University of Central Missouri with scholarships.

More at kcindependent.com

UMKC Staff Members Daniella Toscano, Stephanie Roberts, Brandon McWilliams, Carla Noack, Greer Gerni, and Mario Raymond (out of camera range) Stacey Johnson

Jon and Sharon Bowers with Lance and Pat Jessee

Jennifer Harnick and Melissa Cooper, daughters of Dodie Brown, founder of The New Theatre Scholarship Guild Chairman Caryn and Robert Hastings

Board Members: (Front row) Hank Rector, Linda Hartman, Nancy Greenlee Dykes, president; Don Watkins, and Jackie Stokes (middle row) Sharon Pearce, Sheila Jewell, and Marilyn Thompson (back row) Ed See, Ashley Miller-Scully, Chairman Caryn Hastings, and Jim Holzmark

Exciting New Addition

The National WWI Museum and Memorial has acquired an observation balloon basket from the World War I era. The very rare, intact basket was unveiled in advance of National Aviation Day and the Museum and Memorial’s Great Kansas City Balloon and Puppet Glow 2023. Balloons were primarily used in World War I to collect reconnaissance by allowing up to three soldiers and their equipment to rise up to 6,560 feet in the air to observe enemy positions and artillery, draw rough maps of trenches and structures, take photographs, and more.

Staying In The Loop

Sami Cintron has a special place in her heart for organizations with missions to help the heart. Professionally, Sami is a senior marketing manager with Swell Spark, which means she oversees marketing initiatives for Blade and Timber, Sinker’s Lounge, and Breakout rooms across the country. (What a fun place to work!) She is a graduate of Liberty High School and Northwest Missouri State University. Sami is a devoted volunteer with the American Heart Association and its Heart Ball. The organization is very near and dear to her own heart because Sami has lost several family members to heart disease. Congratulations to Sami for pitching in and helping raise much-needed funds and awareness.

The Loop KC brings together similar yet unique minds to create genuine friendships and ignite the next generation of business leaders in Kansas City. Members of The Loop KC are required to give back to local non-profit organizations. More at kcindependent.com.

Nicole Bissey Photography

Leading The Way V

ivent Health, a national leader in HIV care and prevention, has appointed Dr. Brandon Hill as its new president and chief executive officer. During the past year, Brandon served as the interim president and chief executive officer. He was previously the organization’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. Vivent Health currently serves more than 15,000 people living with and vulnerable to HIV and sexually transmitted infections, as well as countless people at risk for opioid overdose in Denver, Colorado; Chicago, Illinois, Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri; Austin, Texas; and across 10 cities in Wisconsin.

Cheers To Volunteers!

At Westside CAN’s Back to School Pep Rally on July 28th, Lead To Read KC volunteers distributed free books to children and families and recruited reading mentors for the upcoming fall semester. Lead to Read KC’s mission is to support the social, emotional, and reading skills that are foundational for student success by advancing their literacy platform and mobilizing community volunteers. More at kcindependent.com.

Looking for a tasty treat to satisfy your sweet tooth? Head to The Paleta Bar: Fresh Gourmet Mexican Pops in Overland Park! Paletas are a Mexican frozen treat made from fresh natural fruit or rich creamy ingredients. You can choose from a wide variety of flavor options, including banana, passion fruit, coffee, hazelnut crunch, and bubble gum. The Paleta is dipped in chocolate and topped off with delicious flavors, such as Oreos, sprinkles, coconut, and more. The restaurant also offers mixed fruit cups, sweet drinks, and other specialties. Visit thepaletabar.com for more information.

I Wonder –if our dear readers felt the (bizarre) effects of the recent full moons as much as we did?

PHILANTHROPY MATTERS

Julianne DeLessio is employed with Union Station Kansas City as its donor and corporate relations manager, where she works with corporate partners and sponsors, as well as individual donors. She manages giving groups, annual campaigns, event sponsorships, and community partnerships; and her hard work benefits the STEM outreach at Science City in Union Station. Julianne is from Iowa and attended Rockhurst University, where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in Nonprofit Leadership Studies. Julianne loves hearing the stories of the people who pass through the exhibits and tours, as they share stories of how their families traveled through the iconic institution. More at kcindependent.com.

To learn more about becoming a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Kansas City Chapter, please visit afpkc.org.

the exclusive media partner of AFPKC.

Elizabeth Jarvis, Susan Ray, Archer Hughes, Linda Hughes, and Marilyn Stewart

Emily Bromagen and Julianne DeLessio at Teach For America KC Turns 10

REMEMBER WHEN - 10 Years Ago

CINCO DE CABOT

Cinco de Cabot, a benefit for Cabot Westside Medical and Dental Center, was held on May 3rd in the KC Live! Block of the Power & Light District. Guests gathered for a Pre-Party featuring local Latin band Aztlan, followed by a public concert by Sugar Ray. The bilingual staff at Cabot Westside Medical and Dental Center provides high-quality health care to its patients who are primarily Spanish-speaking.

Reprinted from the June 15, 2013 issue of The Independent.

REMEMBER WHEN - 15 Years Ago

KC REP WELCOMES Chita Rivera

The Kansas City Repertory Theatre welcomed performer Chita Rivera with open arms as she returned to Our Town in September. The legendary lady of song and dance was a delight to have on the stage, as she entertained fans to benefit KC Rep.

Reprinted from the October 11, 2008 issue of The Independent.

Kathy Lopez-Ritz, Danny Ritz, and Kim Lopez-Burdolski

Kathy Quinn, Liz Olivarez, and Cori Turner, co-chairman

Jennie Rinas and Co-chairman Debbie White, Saint Luke’s Health System

Lili Shank, Gala co-chairman; Chita Rivera, and Myra Siegel, Gala co-chairman

Bill Nelson, chairman of the board; Chita Rivera, and Barbara Nelson

Matt Sax, Chita Rivera, and Eric Rosen, Kansas City Repertory Theatre

Chuong Doan

Red Kingdom

The Chiefs Charity Game, which was held on August 26th, continues a long-standing commitment of supporting the local community. The annual event, created by the late Lamar Hunt and continued by the Hunt family, was first held in 1985. This year’s beneficiary was MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault). MOCSA has been the beneficiary for three years in a row, and $1.4 million has been raised for the organization during that time. Proceeds are earmarked to assist MOCSA in expanding education and prevention programs in local schools. More at kcindependent.com.

(Front row) Lisa Mall Tomac, Karen Anderson, Brandon Wheeler, and AnnaMarie Castro (middle row) Emma Sanders, Allen Sanders, Steven Kryzck, Bre Bennett, Josh Galler, Laura Galler, Karen Jacobson, Shauna Olson, Connor Stark, Angie Stark, Durham Reeves, Claire Heinsen, Natalie Rowe, and Stephen Rowe (back row) Troy Sims, Chase Sims, Brance Neal, Taylor Neal, Heather Lutman, Josh Bremson, and Ryan Stark

Anne Xenos, Chad Bixler, Jessi Bixler, and Natalie Fieleke with KC Wolf

(Front row) Jenny Dover, Steven Dover, Ali Hamateyo, Kim Perentis, Aubrey Terry, and Luo Hamateyo (middle row) Russell Secrest, Judith Secrest, JC Bowman, Margie Bowman, Brandon Terry, Ron Perentis, Kasie Humphrey, Luke Fenske, Chris Katzer, and Loretta Teter (back row) Julia Dover, Colby Short, Laura Bolamperti, Ashton Dover, TJ Dover, Micaela Edwards, Morgan Bullinger, Alex Patterson, Jordan Seuferling, Alex Seuferling, Michelle Martin, John Martin, Michelle Jackson, and Howard Jackson

(Front row) Felix Rilinger and Archie Rilinger, kid of the game (back row) Jay Rilinger, Gracie Hunt, Tavia Hunt, and Rachel Rilinger

Tom Wagers, Julie Donelon, MOCSA; and Clark and Tavia Hunt

Hattie Saltzman, Debbie Frederiksen, Kassie Sands, Kate Schwaller, and Sandra Williams, all with MOCSA

First Pass Honorees Dezman Moses, former Chiefs player; and Jenny Dover

(Front row) Kenley Kirby and Jodie Kirby (second row) Connor Kirschbaum, Haley Hill, Andrew Trozzolo, Venu Kemthur, Jackie Reses, and Kumar Raman (third row) Nick Alessi, Angela Blackburn, Albert Song, Ronak Vyas, Reza Arbabi, Jeremy Hughes, and Megan Hughes

(Front row) Greg Mattli, Ginny Mattli, Evan Bickel, Reid Bickel, Debbie Bickel, and John Bickel (back row) Chase Bickel, Gina Bickel, Zach Bickel, and Paul Mattli

Erik Bergrud and Kimberlee Ried

Gloria LaDue and KC Wolf

(Front row) Kellen Weiss, Kyle Gordanier, Izabella Raney, Bo Raney, Ella Raney, Tirzah Raney, and Gloria LaDue (middle row) Lori Chambers, Katrina LaDue, Elise LaDue, Ginny Gordanier, and Marty Morris (back row) Larry Chambers, Paul LaDue, Larry and Pris McKeaigg, Gary Morris, Robert Gordanier, Cody Raney, and Angela Morris

(Front row) Holly Streeter-Schaefer, Ken Schaefer, Brittney Swartz, Cindy Schmitz, Lydia Schmitz, and Bill Hageman (middle row) Marianne Goldsborough, Greg Goldsborough, Ryan Schmitz, Alayna Schmitz, LaReta Hageman, Amy Renato, Janet Myers, Peggy Myers, Marshall Allen, Gerilyn Ornce, Melanie and Mike Fenske, and Connor Ornce (back row) Stephen Brogan, Rex Swartz, John Esser, Doug Myers, and Marshall Allen

Three little friends joined (Front row) Chiefs Cheerleader Raegan, Mukul Sharma, Jillian Dent, Abby McClellan Paradise, Ben Stueve, and Ethan Lange (middle row) Vince Hughlon, Brandi Spates, and Crystal Cook Leftridge (back row) Maria Savoy, Austin Moore, Spencer Moore, Chiefs Cheerleader Ari, and Chiefs Cheerleader Samantha

(Front row) Andrew and Anna McCracken with Remi, Nelson and Christine Borys, Jennifer Kingcannon, Dan Lockwood, Carissa Welsh, and Quinn Welsh (middle row) Melissa Beckenbach, Alexis Worth, Lydia Landayan, Jacob Worth, Kevan Welsh, and Bethy and Mitch Willie (back row) Taylor Beckenbach, Haylee Martin, Madison Carter, Jeffrey Sykes, and Benn and Lauren Garrett

Dear Readers,

As we embrace and celebrate the local Hispanic and Latino communities in Our Town, we thought it helpful, if not eye-opening, to illustrate what the terms and constructs mean in our articles. Let’s start with some basics in history. The National Hispanic Heritage month runs from September 15th through October 15th each year. In 1968, a presidential declaration deemed September 15th as the start date signifying the actual anniversary of the celebration of independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile followed suit on September 16th and 18th, respectively.

The Census Bureau of the United States reports that as of the 2020 census, there are more than 62 million Hispanics in the country, making up 19 percent of the population. According to The Census Bureau, being Hispanic is an ethnicity, not a race. Thus, individuals are identified as Hispanic by self-selecting.

In 1976, the United States government started collecting data for specific ethnic groups, with a description of Hispanic being of “Spanish origin or descent and Spanish-speaking background.”

The well-known Pew Research Center, which conducts nonpartisan polling and research, declares that they use the terms Hispanic and Latino interchangeably. Pew also reports that Latinx has emerged in popular culture as a pan-ethnic label. This new term coincides with a general emergence of the use of gender-neutral nouns and pronouns.

neither here nor there

With all of that in mind, we have elected to let the people who submit the information to the magazine select the wording they would like to use. In our articles, all of the above labels, - Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx/Latine - will be referenced. We will not clarify further what those terms represent, and it is understood that the individuals have self-selected their term of choice.

We have selected individuals, non-profit organizations, and businesses that exemplify the Hispanic and Latino sections of Kansas City. While this is not an exhaustive list, we hope it represents a fair and balanced view of what it is like to live and work in our community. Please enjoy the chance to look a little bit deeper into what makes our city click. As we, The Independent, choose to highlight different groups of local people throughout the year, we hope that you will learn more about the devoted and dedicated people who bring the diversity of tastes, sensations, colors, and rich philanthropy to our citizens. Happy reading, and please let us know what comments you might have.

The Independent Staff

Artwork graciously provided by Jose Faus.

Moove Along

Latinx Leadership in Action: IRENE CAUDILLO’S ROLE IN SHAPING A BRIGHTER FUTURE

By Monica V. Reynolds

In Wyandotte County, a fresh era of development within the Latinx community is on the horizon. Dedicated community leader, Irene Caudillo, has recently assumed the role of Chief of Staff to Mayor Tyrone A. Garner within the Unified Government of Wyandotte County. With a decades-long track record of affecting change among the Latinx population, Irene’s latest appointment as Chief of Staff represents a promising shift in the county’s approach to public service and community betterment.

Throughout her extensive career in the non-profit sector, Irene has shared her expertise with numerous organizations. She began her journey as the first Minority Health Outreach Coordinator at the Kansas City, Missouri Health Department and later held the position of Director of Clinic Operations at Swope Health Services. In addition, Irene devoted a decade of leadership to El Centro, serving as the president and chief executive officer.

In the 1990s, Irene was instrumental in founding an early childhood education program at El Centro, committed to celebrating Latin culture and language. Today, El Centro maintains a dual-language preschool fostering authenticity and inclusivity. “What I love about my work with El Centro is the significant impact we had in being unapologetic about utilizing Spanish as a way to not only access our community but to get others to understand that the language is a part of the community,” Irene said.

Through her work, Irene advocates for recognizing the richness of the Latinx culture that she says has helped shape not only the region but the entire country. “By embracing the language and culture, we can educate, inform, and expand the role of our community who are already making valuable contributions in work and play, in our military, healthcare systems, and classrooms,” she said.

Moreover, Irene’s dedication goes beyond education and culture. She recognized the healthcare disparities within the Latinx population and embarked on a mission to address them. Under her leadership, El Centro expanded programs focused on health navigation and education. This proactive approach proved invaluable when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, allowing the organization to work closely with health departments, clinics, and hospitals to ensure the Latinx community received the care it needed.

Now, in her new role as Chief of Staff to Mayor Tyrone A. Garner, Irene’s aspirations include ensuring that community solutions and opportunities are available to all, regardless of their background. Irene said she is looking forward to partnering with Mayor Garner who shares her vision of focusing on the most disinvested areas of the city. “Many of the diverse community lives east of I-635,” Irene said. “But it has also been the most disinvested part of our community. A lot of strength in the past government has been very much about building out West. I said yes to a mayor who really wants to strengthen the focus on the most disinvested areas.”

As a brighter future dawns for the Latinx community, Irene envisions her work not merely in the present but also through the lens of future generations. Throughout her career, Irene has mentored many young people who are now building community programs and non-profit organizations. She said she has always felt a duty to ensure that she was “standing with folks to move things forward within the Latin community.”

For young people seeking to make a difference in the Latinx community, Irene offers sage advice. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity, recognizing that one’s lived experience is a valuable expertise that should be brought to the table. She also encourages seizing any opportunity to contribute. “If there is not a table you’re invited to, build one,” she said. “And bring other young Latinas and Latinos.”

Unquestionably, Irene’s efforts have charted the course for a Latinx community in Kansas City and beyond that is more inclusive and thriving. In her own words, she underscores the significance of Hispanic Heritage Month, emphasizing the importance of Latinx representation and mutual respect. “When we think about Hispanic Heritage Month, it is meant to make sure that we are educating those who don’t know who we are, but we’re also valuing who we are in a way that advocates for all.”

More at kcindependent.com.

El Centro was with United Way at the K for a Royals game.

El Centro was a proud recipient of the 15 and Mahomies Foundation, receiving financial support in 2021 and 2022.

Irene Caudillo

TRAILBLAZERS: A SCRAPBOOK WHOSEIMPACTISBEINGFELTTHR

Vanessa Severo

The actor, writer, choreographer, and director is the daughter of Brazilian immigrants. She has appeared on all the major stages in Kansas City and on quite a few others around the country. In 2019, she presented the world premiere of her one-woman show, Frida: A Self Portrait at Kansas City Repertory Theatre, and since then has taken it to other cities around the country.

What I love about Kansas City performing arts: Theaters like Spinning Tree Theatre, employing local artists, designers, directors, and playwrights while supporting youth of all abilities to showcase their talents; the Unicorn Theatre, which employs more female directors than any other theater in Kansas City; artists like David Wayne Reed, who consistently go outside the box and represent different voices of Kansas City in his podcast, Shelf Life; and the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, which provides free theater in the park for everyone.

What I would love to see more of in the future: Local artists being employed, nurtured, and supported by the larger theaters of Kansas City. There is a large community of diversity in this beautiful, ever-growing city, and the talent is here.

Upcoming: April 26th through May 5th: Rubik, by Vanessa Severo (Spinning Tree Theatre); February 3rd through March 3rd: Dracula, by Vanessa Severo in collaboration with Joanie Schultz (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park)

vanessasevero.com

Amado Espinoza

Performing artist, composer, and instrument maker from Cochabamba, Bolivia, who respects his folk traditions of the Andes Mountains “while creating compositions that are sincere to his musical-wanderlust personality.” He is a 2017 Charlotte String Foundation Generative Performing Arts Fellow, and won a 2022 Spirit of Folk Award from Folk Alliance International.

What I love about Kansas City performing arts: Kansas City is a city with a lot of highquality artists, great cultural variety, and strong supporters of art and culture. I like how it is a priority for so many artists to build an inclusive community that expands over different genres and disciplines.

What I would love to see more of in the future: I would love Kansas City to be known as much for its arts scene as for its sports teams.

Upcoming: October 1st: The Andes: A Musical Journey, presented by the Colombian Cultural Association; (The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art); October 21st: Iskay (Brookside Farmers’ Market)

amadoespinoza.com

Pablo Sanhueza

Kansas City’s premier Salsa and Latin Jazz percussionist and bandleader arrived here from Santiago, Chile, in 1996. He has toured the world and appeared at major international jazz festivals, and in 2018 he founded the Kansas City Latin Jazz Orchestra/Latin Jazz Institute. He has won multiple awards, including a National Endowment for the Arts grant to support a commission from pianist, composer, and bandleader Eddie Palmieri.

What I love about Kansas City performing arts: There are many factors that encourage me to continue developing as an independent working musician, such as the support and genuine comradery with the nine steady musicians in the orchestra (KCLJO) and with our audiences; and the established and new professional connections we generate every time we perform.

What I would love to see more of in the future: An important reality is the growing Latino demographics, from which arises the growing necessity for our bilingual music education program and workforce development … as we employ those musicians who show a deeper interest in the art form.

Upcoming: October 7th: Blanco y Negro (Guadalupe Center gala); October 19th: Second Annual Beefsteak Dinner (The Savoy); regular appearances at the Blue Room (Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District)

pablosanhuezamusic.com

kansascitylatinjazzorchestra.com

Instagram: @pablosanhuezamusic

OF KANSAS CITY PERFORMING ARTISTS HOUT THE REGION AND BEYOND

Fedra Cooper Barrera

Fedra is a singer, actress, and model from Veracruz, Mexico, who began her career as an actress with Televisa (Mexico’s primary television network). She has performed on tour as a backup singer for pop superstar Luis Miguel and has recorded a solo disc with legendary producer Pablo Ortiz. She has performed tango, Fado, rancheras, boleros, and many other types of music.

What I love about Kansas City performing arts: As a Latina, I feel really very proud to be part of this portion of the Hispanic community that brings art and music to the people. I was always taught from a young age that for every situation there is nothing like music to fix it. Whether it is a problem, a worry, an illness, stress in everyday life … it is best fixed by listening to music. What I enjoy and admire most about the people who appreciate art in Kansas City is that they always invest in listening to a good concert, and that stimulates their senses and their hearts. Here, musicians are appreciated and supported.

What I would love to see more of in the future: We have very talented people in the city, and a loyal audience: Perhaps we could use this platform to project artists more outside of here, publicize them more for the entire country. I feel privileged to be able to participate … in the best bands in this city, starting with the Ensemble Ibérica. … I am also the lead singer of the Ayllu group, which performs Central American and Latin music.

Upcoming: October 5th: ArtOberfest: World Cultures Day (Rockhurst University)

Instagram: @fedracooper

Daniel Velasco

Daniel is a flutist and University of Kansas professor who has performed with orchestras throughout North and South America, with such conductors as Carlos Miguel Prieto, Gustavo Dudamel, Claudio Abbado, Ben Zander, Cristian Măcelaru, and Carl St. Clair. He has won prizes at the Claude Monteux Flute Competition and the William C. Byrd Competition, among others.

What I love about Kansas City performing arts: Since moving to Lawrence, I have been fortunate to connect and work with a world-class community of arts organizations and musicians. I have enjoyed performances and involvement with the Lawrence Public Library, the Kansas Public Radio, the Kansas City Symphony, the Ruel Joyce Series at JCCC, and the Kansas City Flute Association, to name a few.

What I would love to see more of in the future: My goal in the near future is to connect more with the western part of the State of Kansas, and I hope that my upcoming performance with the Salina Symphony will be a step in that direction.

Current and upcoming: November 5th: Michael Daugherty’s  Flute Concerto: Trail of Tears, which deals with the forced displacement of Native Americans (the Salina Symphony with Music Director Yaniv Segal); in August 2022, Flauta Andina, his first solo album, was released on the NAXOS label, with Pianist Ellen Sommer, featuring music written by Ecuadorian composers for flute and piano velascoflute.com

Alladson Barreto

Kansas City Ballet company dancer from Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, studied in his home country and then at Philadelphia’s Rock School before dancing with Ballet West II and working with Kathryn Morgan, worldrenowned former ballerina with New York City Ballet. In 2018, he was a finalist for the Youth America Grand Prix.

What I love about Kansas City performing arts: The diversity of performances. The talent and creativity of all artists is a great inspiration, and I am happy to know that dance here is in a strong community where everyone wants to share this art and take it to places without easy access to the arts. … I remember every detail about my audition and the feeling I felt when I was taking the first class: I felt inspired and welcomed by Kansas City Ballet. … It is always difficult to start from scratch in a new company, to leave your home country to pursue your dreams. When I arrived at Kansas City Ballet, I was welcomed by everyone. I started to refine myself and express everything that the art of dance means to me. The Company has always been there to help me.

What I would love to see more of in the future: I want to continue expressing myself through dance. … Kansas City continues to grow and strengthen itself to develop more programs that engage wider audiences and collaborations.

Upcoming: October 13th through the 22nd: Jekyll & Hyde, and December 1st through the 24th: The Nutcracker (both with Kansas City Ballet)

kcballet.org/team/dancers

BACKSTAGE AND BEYOND

BY PAUL HORSLEY

VOCES DIVERSAS: Arts groups lay groundwork for stronger Hispanic voices

Latin Americans have played a major role in the growth of greater Kansas City for at least two centuries, probably beginning with the founding of Independence, Missouri, in 1821. Yet even as the Hispanic population today has grown to some 10 percent of the region’s 2.1 million inhabitants, Kansas City’s Latinos still find themselves struggling for representation in politics, civic life, and the arts.

This year’s celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month comes at a critical time for local arts, when organizations large and small are taking a searching look at issues of diversity and focusing new scrutiny on past inequities and future opportunities. And because the arts can play such an important role in articulating or exercising a sense of “heritage” (Merriam-Webster defines it using such words as legacy, inheritance, tradition, and birthright), these initiatives may be poised to push our city toward a profound cultural transformation.

Quite a bit has happened in a relatively short time. In recent years, the Unicorn Theatre has programmed several plays dealing with Hispanic life and culture (including last season’s production of Satya Chávez’ Refuge and Karen Zacarías’ witty Native Gardens this season), and other theaters have featured leading Latino playwrights and artists: alongside increasingly diverse offerings from Black, Asian, and Native American artists.

The Kansas City Ballet and Lyric Opera of Kansas City have both highlighted ample Latino talent in their respective worlds. In recent seasons the Ballet has performed works of world-renowned Hispanic choreographers such as Irene Rodríguez, Septime Weber, Stephanie Martínez, and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. Moreover, the company has continued to diversify its roster, and Latino dancers have proved central in that process.

The Harriman-Jewell Series has four upcoming performances by Hispanic artists this fall, including the Minería Symphony Orchestra of Mexico (featuring conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto and pianist Gabriela Montero), Disney PIXAR’s Coco with live orchestra, Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Flórez in recital, and John Adams’ cantata El Niño: Nativity Reconsidered.

“During the last two decades we’ve seen phenomenal artists coming out of Latin America, performing on the very highest levels,” said Clark Morris, vice president for advancement at William Jewell College and executive director of the Series. Deborah Sandler, Lyric Opera general manager, has noted the same trend among singers nationally, even as operas by Latino composers have been slow to make inroads into the repertoire. The Lyric has engaged more than two dozen Hispanic singers in recent years. “There are a lot of great Mexican singers,” she said, adding that one of these, Diego Torre, performs in the Lyric’s upcoming production of Pagliacci. “Mexico seems to foster this development, as does Latin America in general. … And a lot of the large cities with big Hispanic populations in Texas, New York, and California have had robust training programs.”

Three local fine arts groups have focused their efforts specifically on the music of Latin America. Ensemble Ibérica, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this season, is devoted to the music of Spain, Portugal, and their myriad former colonies. (See separate feature in this issue.) Leilani Velasco Vaughn and the Choral Foundation established, in 2021, Kansas City’s first Spanish-language chorus, Voces Festivas. And Victoria Botero’s The Cecilia Series devotes much of its programming to music and culture of Latin America.

The Unicorn Theatre’s Native Gardens starred Mark Robbins, Justin Barron, Areli Gil, and Merle Moores.

Irene Rodríguez’ ballet, Amor Brujo, is based on Manuel de Falla’s famous music for Love, the Sorcerer.

“There are 20 Spanish-speaking countries, and each one has its own distinct culture and food and music and literature,” said Victoria, a brilliant soprano and the daughter of Colombian immigrants, in stressing the multiplicity of her culture. “Being Latin is not a racial category, because all of us have some indigenous, African, and European heritage.” Many Latinos feel ancestral ties to the past, regardless of their roots, and music plays a special role in this.

“There are people whose families have been in the United States for multiple generations, particularly from Mexico, who still have that connection … often through food, or through the stories their grandmothers told them.”

For her Cecilia Series, Victoria is currently preparing a program devoted to music and writings connected to fellow Colombian Gabriel García Márquez. Gabo: A Love Letter (October 12th, The 1900 Building) weaves traditional and classical songs, arias, and readings from (and about) the Nobel Prize-winning author’s One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera.

For Victoria, it’s a personal journey. “I was born into this,” she said. “I was raised with the stories of Márquez and the food and listening to Colombian music. I always go back to this feeling I had when I was a little girl: My parents loved to have parties and invite all the Colombians they knew. … And they were allowed to be 100 percent Colombian for just a few hours.”

Jerry Mañan can identify with this connection. The local actor, author, and filmmaker who is often seen on local stages was selected to serve on the board of Kansas City Actors Theatre, becoming one of the most prominent Latino artists in the city. Jerry has helped push the company’s diversity efforts forward, “and I’m not just talking about race, I’m talking about disabilities and other things. … Sometimes we forget what diversity means in its entirety.”

While he acknowledged the importance of staging plays by Hispanic artists, he said it is also important that they be produced and directed by Latinos. Some day, in fact, he hopes that Kansas City can support a Hispanic theater company, “a space where Latinos, as artists and as audience members, feel welcome, and feel like their stories are being reflected on stage.”

And, he added: “that they’re not all about suffering and immigration.” It’s true that pain and hardship are realities for many Latinos, but contemporary authors today are putting out a wide variety of works, including comedies and light-hearted family dramas that do not always fit our populist tropes. “It’s important that we’re telling other stories too,” said Jerry, who is of Cuban and Colombian heritage, “because Latino culture is so much richer than that.”

Jerry finds it both amusing and frustrating that so many Latino plays have so little to do with his own day-to-day experience. “It’s hilarious, because I don’t suffer,” he said. “I identify so much with my Latino heritage because I love it. And don’t get me started on the food, there’s definitely no suffering there,” he added with a laugh. “If anything, some of the richest moments of my life are when I’m eating Cuban or Colombian food.”

Cynthia Levin, who will soon step down after a 45-year tenure as producing artistic director of the Unicorn Theatre, has been at the forefront of diversity in Kansas City since 1979. In addition to the many artists whose careers she has fostered, she has almost single-handedly brought local premieres of now-famous Black, Latino, and Asian playwrights to the stage, for which she has earned a national reputation.

Many of these plays, such as Refuge, treat traditional immigrant issues (though in new ways). Others, such as Karen Zacarías’ Native Gardens, deal only obliquely with race, favoring instead a more general tale of otherness. “It’s not that every single playwright of color is going to write about their specific cultural experience,” Cynthia said. “The idea is to find different voices, and people of color who are writing.”

Karen Zacarías’ play was ideal for the moment, a “smart comedy that does have cultural references but is saying something universal about how we try to live together as neighbors: how we can share things with somebody who is very different from us.”

To reach Paul Horsley, performing arts editor, send an email to paul@kcindependent.com or find him on Facebook (paul.horsley.501) or Twitter/Instagram (@phorsleycritic).

More at kcindependent.com.

Choreographer Stephanie Martínez

Gabriela Montero is a composer-pianist who will perform her own piece, The Latin Concerto, with the Minería Symphony Orchestra.

Tenor Diego Torre, a Mexican star of growing fame, performs the title role in the Lyric Opera’s Pagliacci.

In 2021, singer and choral director Leilani Velasco Vaughn formed Voces Festivas, Kansas City’s only Spanish-language choir.

Victoria Botero is a nationally renowned singer of opera, song, and chamber music and a curator of inventive multimedia programs.

Jerry Mañan is an actor, writer, and filmmaker

Anders Brogaard

Jeff Evrard

Culture, Art, and Community: MATTIE RHODES CENTER’S 25TH ANNUAL DAY OF THE DEAD CELEBRATION

By Monica V. Reynolds

In a tribute to culture, connection, and creativity, the Mattie Rhodes Center is gearing up to host its 25th annual Day of the Dead event. This eagerly anticipated celebration welcomes all to participate in a celebration of life on the first Friday in both October and November.

On October 6th, the Mattie Rhodes’ Day of the Dead altars and art exhibits will open. Then, on November 3rd, the Day of the Dead Parade will weave a colorful tapestry through the streets of Kansas City’s Westside community. Jenny Mendez, cultural arts director at Mattie Rhodes, said, “We kick it off in October so that we can showcase all of the altars and artwork, and so we can do our educational programming throughout the month that leads up to the November Day of the Dead.”

Beyond the colorful displays, lively parades, and engaging activities, this event holds deep cultural significance, uniting Latinos and the broader community in a spirit of remembrance and celebration of the dearly departed. The altars and artwork will be showcased within the expanded gallery space at Mattie Rhodes Cultural Art Center. “We have had lots of artists come into our space and create amazing

altars for their loved ones, and we really want to highlight those,” Jenny said. We also want to invite new families, participants, and artists. The altars are a part of the art exhibit. It’s also an installation for the friends and families who have lost loved ones.”

Historically, the celebration has one featured artist whose work is showcased on a poster and T-shirt to commemorate the year. This time, the spotlight will shine on five featured artists whose works will be on display in the gallery. Meanwhile, event memorabilia will feature the art of one select artist. The identities of the artists won’t be released until the opening day of the event, so people will have to wait and see what’s in store this year. “People are always eager to see what altars were created this year,” Jenny said. “They get here super early to get in our doors. They also want to see the featured artwork, event poster, and T-shirt that has the featured artwork on it. We have families that will call ahead of time and ask, ‘Is your T-shirt ready?’ So it’s something that people look forward to.”

Beyond the displays in the Art Center, Jenny says the first Friday event in October is a party-like festival in the street outside of the venue. “We have food trucks and other cool vendors and it really creates this wonderful celebration atmosphere,” Jenny said. “There’s live artwork, and the lowrider community comes out to showcase altars in their trucks, which is a big tradition in LA and other places in the Southwest.”

As the sun sets on the first Friday event in October, the moon will rise over the Mattie Rhodes Cultural Art Center in November, transforming the streets into a lively nighttime bash that is open to the entire community. “The parade on the first Friday of November begins at night,” Jenny said. “People walk in costumes and with sugar skull-painted faces. It’s a walking neighborhood community parade. We work with Stone Lion Puppet Theatre which is making glowing puppets for the event, and because it’s a nighttime event, everything is lit up.” Jenny invites families to light up their baby strollers or bring a lit wagon to tow their children during the parade. “Come dressed up as a sugar skull or a dancing skeleton and be a part of this amazing community event,” she said. “We get thousands of people who come and participate not only in our opening night in October but also in our November event.”

Whether attending the art exhibit and street fair in October or walking in the parade in November, attendees can expect a festival atmosphere that not only recognizes but celebrates the circle of life. More at kcindependent.com.

SOCIETY OF HISPANIC PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS – KANSAS CITY

The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers – Kansas City was founded in 2014. It is the local chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), which was founded in 1974 in Los Angeles, California. The organization’s goals include increasing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) awareness in the Hispanic community. This includes making families cognizant of the opportunities for their children in STEM fields, providing information and guidance on navigating college applications and financial aid forms, and raising scholarship funds for Hispanic students who attend college. Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers – Kansas City coordinates with sponsors and donors to host fundraisers such as the annual Noche de Ciencias (Night of Science). The organization was the largest donor to the 2022 Hispanic Development Fund (HDF) Cambio Para Cambio (Cha nge for Change) Campaign in the professional category. Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers – Kansas City has recently more than doubled its chapter membership, and received the 2021-2022 Region 6 Booster Award from SHPE. As Moses Pacheco, chapter president, noted, “Our members are leaders in their respective technical fields, vice presidents of corporations, business owners, and executive members on various educational, professional, and community boards.” The benefits of membership include enhanced options for networking and professional development. The organization is seeking volunteers – who need not be either Hispanic nor engineers – who are interested in serving on committees for upcoming events, including Noche de Ciencias and the HDF Cambio Para Cambio fundraiser. In addition, assistance is welcomed in the creation of a SHPEtinas subchapter in Our Town. For more information, go to shpekc.org. More at kcindependent.com.

GUADALUPE CENTERS

Kansas City Professional

Guadalupe Centers occupies a unique place in the Kansas City landscape. They are the only dual language early childhood education center in the area, the only Charter School serving the Latino community, and the only bilingual Financial Opportunity Center in the metro. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals in the Latino communities throughout the Kansas City region. They do this by providing the most comprehensive services in the region to support, educate, and empower Latinos through all stages of life. Guadalupe Centers provides programs for older adults, family support services, youth development and recreation, outpatient treatment, and a workforce development and financial opportunity center. Established in 1919 by a Catholic Women’s Club, it is the oldest continually operating agency serving a local Latino community in the United States. For more information, go to guadalupecenters.org. More at kcindependent.com.

Board Members Cesar Cea, Kevin Gallagher, Neila Seda, Perla Diosdado, Moses Pacheco, chapter president; Jeffrey Andrade, Jose Olvera Cortes, Elizabeth Gomez, and Roberto Penaloza Valencia (out of camera range) Juan-Carlos Banuelas

Young people participated in the free Summer Youth Sports Coach Pitch Program.

Dorothy Gallagher, Guadalupe Centers director from 1940-44; with students

VIBRANT HEALTH

“Our goal is making high-quality, culturally competent care accessible in every corner of our community. Vibrant Health elevates equitable and general access to care plus coordination of services,” said Patrick Sallee, president and chief executive officer. Vibrant Health, which was founded in 1990, provides a host of services. These include medical, dental, and behavioral health. In addition, Vibrant Health addresses women’s health. It provides pharmacy services – and on-site pharmacy benefits may create significant savings for clients. The organization also is committed to providing community outreach services, school-based preventative dental services, and school-based behavioral health services. A majority of Vibrant’s clients – 65 percent – identify as Hispanic and/or Latino. One-third of all clients have no health insurance, and 85 percent have an annual household income which is at or below the federal poverty guidelines ($30,000 for a family of four). Vibrant Health uses a sliding payment scale, often providing discounted services (and, in some cases, bringing the total cost to zero). The organization offers free transportation and tele-heath options. For the 62 percent of clients who are best served in a language other than English, there are either in-person certified medical interpreters or tele-health interpretation services available. Vibrant Health also provides assistance with KanCare applications. This year, nearly 20,000 clients will benefit from Vibrant Health’s services. What the organization most needs from volunteers are financial contributions. For more information, go to vibranthealthkc.org. More at kcindependent.com.

ARMOURDALE RENEWAL ASSOCIATION

The Armourdale Renewal Association was founded in 1990 by Patty Dysart to “ensure that businesses and residents have the necessary resources to aid community development.” The actual Armourdale neighborhood has roots dating back to approximately 1882. The ARA works with the Unified Government to build a safe and healthy environment for the people who live and work in Armourdale. That work has recently focused on creating a Master Plan for the entire area, including healthy lifestyles, business development, and tourism boosts. The Association also strives to create and sustain programs in Youth Development, Economic Development, and a Healthy Community. The ARA offers year-round events for business and community members, including business luncheons, an Earth Day clean-up, and a Summer Camp, in addition to activities such as sports, STEM, arts and crafts, and much more. For more information, go to armourdale.org. More at kcindependent.com.

THE LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS

Rudy Padilla and Robert Flores founded the League of United Latin American Citizens, Shawnee Mission, Kansas Council, in 2021. The organization’s overarching mission is to “advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, housing, health, and civil rights of the Hispanic population of the United States.” The local council strives to fundraise for scholarships through the National Educational Service Centers, which has received a grant from the Ford Motor Company to enlighten local high school students in trade school education opportunities, specifically in the transportation vehicle repair and service sector. The local officers of the council work closely with school districts to provide information to students and teachers via videos published on their website and selected media outlets, as well as promote fundraising strategies. President Rudy Padilla emphasized, “We are attending local school board meetings with the message to hire and promote more Hispanic teachers and introduce more legitimate Hispanic history.” For more information, go to smkslulac11085.org. More at kcindependent.com.

(Front row) Magaly Arzate, Jazzmin Harris, Lucy Ferguson, Mary Boyer, Rebeca Lazcano, Julian Ramirez, Dylan Meza, and Jemima Nesthant (back row) Juan Reyes, all part of the Summer Youth Employment program

LULAC Officers: Vice president Maria Cristina Herrera, President Rudy Padilla, and Treasurer Robert Flores

Name Dropping

By Monica V. Reynolds

2023 CLA SS OF RISING STA RS

In Kansas City’s philanthropic circles, one vibrant and beloved personality stands out as a Rising Star – Anna Bazan-Munguia. As the youngest of 27 grandchildren, Anna’s journey to local prominence is intertwined with her family’s rich history and a deep sense of community spirit.

Anna’s grandfather, a skilled tailor who once worked for President Harry S. Truman, played a pivotal role in shaping the course of her family’s future. He uprooted them from Mexico to Kansas City, where the principles of hard work and dedication became rooted in their upbringing. Growing up in Tyler, Texas, Anna always knew her path would eventually lead to Kansas City.

In her formative years, Anna saw her family extend a helping hand to others, whether it was covering immigration lawyer fees or purchasing textbooks for college students. However, at just 11 years old, her life abruptly changed when her father passed away. He was a prominent and respected entrepreneur whose career was enriched by the mentorship of an exceptional individual — a circumstance that Anna believes had a profound impact on her own life’s trajectory. She credits her father’s achievements to a combination of his mentor’s guidance and his own dedicated efforts.

After his passing, a scholarship was established in Tyler in her father’s memory. Meanwhile, Anna’s older brother, sister, and mother continued to run the family business. This support allowed Anna to focus on her education, which led to her embarking on a study-abroad adventure in Europe and earning a degree from Texas A&M University. Upon graduating, Anna felt compelled to give back. Later, she began a journey as a mentor with the Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City organization. “I was a volunteer of their mission for nearly 10 years and was involved in many capacities,” Anna said. “As of September 2021, I became an employee of theirs. My personal support for their mission eventually became my profession, and it has been a joy!”

Anna said her involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City has opened doors in her career, providing her with meaningful friendships and invaluable connections. She has also connected with her heritage in Kansas City. “I feel more Latina in Kansas City than I ever did in Tyler,” she said.

Today, Anna proudly identifies as Latina and bilingual. Her life in Kansas City has given her a sense of belonging she never experienced in Tyler, where she was often recognized solely as her father’s daughter or her sister’s sister. In Kansas City, she has forged her own identity. “Kansas City has supported, challenged, and empowered me,” she said. “I may not have the business my father started, but Kansas City allows me to be Anna. It gives me a voice and I try to be the best advocate I can be for the Latino community.”

Upon moving to our City of Fountains with little more than her clothes and some savings, Anna was determined to make her new life work. More than a decade later, she is thriving. Her early involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City and the guidance of her mentor, Carlos Gomez, played a pivotal role in her journey of personal and professional growth. “I first met Anna when she was involved with the Young Latino Professionals – a program with the Chamber’s Sister Organization,” Carlos said. “I witnessed her professional growth as she got involved with other non profits such as Mattie Rhodes, The Hispanic Chamber Latina Leadership Summit, and as a board member of El Centro helping immigrants who have no voice to navigate in our society. Anna is always willing to help others and is passionate about helping the community – especially when it comes to youth.”

When it comes to minorities having a voice, Anna recognizes the underrepresentation of Latinos in media coverage. She is deeply committed to international relations, empowering Latina women to have a voice, and promoting the arts as a vehicle for diversity and inclusivity. In addition, Anna actively serves as the membership chair for the International Relations Council, is the board development chair for the Folly Theater, and sits on the board of El Centro. “There are so many of us who do phenomenal things, doing work with passion, not needing recognition,” she said.

Although Anna may not seek acknowledgment, her contributions to the community have certainly earned the attention of others. “Anna works tirelessly within the Hispanic Community in Kansas City and is so inclusive in her approach and vision,” said Karenbeth G. Zacharias, director of the Lawrence D. Starr Center for Peace and Justice.

To that end, the Folly Theater’s commitment to diverse programming and creating an inclusive space aligns perfectly with Anna’s vision for the community. She firmly believes that exposing children from all backgrounds to the arts can inspire the artists of tomorrow. In addition, El Centro, with its mission to provide resources to the Latino community, resonates deeply with Anna. She is also a strong advocate for the International Relations Council, as her mother always emphasized the importance of exposing her children to diversity and the world beyond material possessions. In Anna’s words, “Get out of your box, go somewhere different, and you’ll find common ground with others.”

Mentors of the past and present have undoubtedly shaped Anna’s trajectory. As a result, she encourages others to seek their own mentors, emphasizing that it takes a village to achieve greatness. Anna’s village includes mentors, her husband, and her family, all of whom have supported her journey. She acknowledges their role in allowing her to be her authentic self – especially her husband, who stands by her as she attends countless evening events and early-morning commitments.

Without a doubt, Anna’s dedication to philanthropy, advocacy, and mentorship exemplifies the spirit of a true Rising Star. To conclude in the words of Carlos Gomez, “Anna leads with her heart and inspires all those around her to become better leaders. Kansas City is a better place with Anna here!” More at kcindependent.com.

Photo Credit: Tom Styrkowicz

ConneCtions

LATINX EDUCATION

THE LOVE STORY OF EDGAR PALACIOS

Color, language, heritage, place, and time - they all mean something in the life of a child. They mean even more to a child with a Hispanic/Latinx background and language who happens to be in a school system in the middle of the United States. If the child is the center of the wheel, then the spokes are the parents, the teachers, the administrators, the counselors, and everyone whose job it is to raise and educate this child to be able to function as a citizen in the modern-day Heartland. The disconnect is obvious to those exposed to the culture within a culture. A Spanish-speaking family with Hispanic values has to navigate a system skewed towards English language and culture - with a Midwestern twang - for everything from health care to groceries to child care and education. It can be daunting, to say the least.

By Anne Potter Russ

Enter Edgar Palacios, the founder of Latinx Education Collaborative (LEC), whose mission is to “Work tirelessly to retain and increase the representation of Latinx education professionals in K-12. Our vision is to build a world where Latinx Educators are abundant and thriving.” Who is Edgar Palcios and why did he think this was necessary? Well, he was born in Miami, Florida, to Nicaraguan immigrant parents, who fled during the Civil War. In his world, he was routinely mixing and mingling with a population that was made up of at least 70 percent of people of Hispanic or Latino descent. With a move to the Pacific Northwest, and eventually Missouri, Edgar found out what it is like to have no one recognize his heritage or his language. Fast forward to a bachelor’s degree from UMKC in voice performance and then a master’s degree from Rockhurst University in business administration with an accounting emphasis, he has a new path. He carved out a career with The Central Exchange (chief engagement officer), Connections to Success (senior director, resource development and community engagement), and Blue Hills Community Services (executive director) before realizing that he had a passion for helping Hispanic youth that would propel him in a different direction.

In 2018, he founded the Latinx Education Collaborative and now serves as the chief executive officer and director. In addition to that, he also, in 2021, founded the Revolucion Educativa (RevED), which seeks to take the LEC one step further, and create political engagement and advocacy for the Latinx community in Kansas City. Per Edgar, “We believe that in order to truly effect positive change and improve education outcomes, we must come together and give our communities the tools, resources, and supports needed to build sustained collective power in Kansas City and beyond.”

Let’s back up a bit, first. The real crux of the LEC is to provide resources to Latinx local educators who do not feel seen or heard in their communities. Many times these educators are alone or one of a few educators in a system that does not support their culture. LEC resources include professional development, book clubs, one-on-one mentoring, and leadership coaching, just to name a few. The three pillars of LEC are heart, home, and humanity, providing platforms for educators to instill each of those values in their classrooms. Edgar’s vision towards this idea is brilliant. Affect the change and support the people who support the youth. He saw that the most effective way to make sure children are seen and heard is to make sure educators are seen and heard. According to Edgar, “By building power in the Latino community, we strive to create a more just and equitable education system for all. The work of LEC and RevED are complementary and aim to improve the educational outcomes and experiences of Latinx students through collaborative efforts.” Edgar Palacios is filling a local void; one that came about naturally, but doesn’t need to exist anymore. He is building an environment for people where they can find their images in the mirror of society. The statistics are alarming - in the United States, approximately eight percent of educators are Latino. In Kansas City, approximately one percent of educators are Latino. Across the board, 25 percent of students are Hispanic/Latino. The chances of Hispanic students seeing themselves in their teachers are slim. The remedy, according to Edgar, is to build the community, delete the isolation factor, encourage the collaboration factor, and bring together arts, education, and advocacy under one umbrella.

The space that LEC occupies in the northeast section of Our Town is part office, part collaborative work space, and part gallery. He hopes to host more art showings, but there are some wonderful pieces on display currently. One of our favorites is the Caps of Dreams display, which shows decorated graduation caps. On the outside of the building is a mural depicting life in the Hispanic community post-Covid. The mural is the handiwork of IT-RA Icons - Isaac Tapia and Rodrigo Alvarez, commissioned muralists who have 45 works in the Kansas City area and use vibrant colors, evolving designs, and themes that celebrate their communities and honor their identities as artists who migrated to the United States at a very young age. This is exactly the kind of collaboration and investment that Edgar visualizes all of the time.

For more information, see latinxedco.org or revedkc.org, or itraicons.com. More at kcindependent.com.

Edgar Palacios

Caps of Dreams

The wise owl on the mural in the office

The mural by Isaac Tapia and Rodrigo Alvarez

TRAILBLAZING: LOCAL ENSEMBLE EXPLORES HOW LATINO MUSIC WAS FORMED FROM A CONFLUENCE OF VOICE S

By Paul Horsley

Nearly all of Beau Bledsoe’s musical adventures have grown out of a lifelong love of the classical guitar, also known as the “Spanish” guitar. So it made sense that Ensemble Ibérica, the group that the Arkansas native established in 2013, should be dedicated to performing “music from Spain and Portugal and other areas of the world connected to the Iberian diaspora,” according to the group’s mission statement. That’s a lot of territory: not just sunny Iberia but also Central and South America, the Caribbean, and much of North America. Basically anywhere that Latino culture thrives, from São Paolo to San Antonio, La Paz to L’Habana. Once Beau began scratching the surface of this music, a whole universe opened itself up to him.

Ensemble Ibérica is by all accounts Kansas City’s first-ever “classical” ensemble devoted exclusively to the performance of Latin American and/or Hispanic music. (Because Portugal and Brazil are included, the term “Hispanic” falls short.) Beau has engaged a brilliant pool of top-drawer musicians, nearly all of whom trace their heritage to Latin America or Iberia.

As it marks its 10th anniversary, the group looks back on a legacy of a half-dozen CDs and a bevy of performances in the United States and abroad: programs of Argentine tango, Spanish flamenco, Portuguese Fado, Mexican ranchera, Afro-Cuban mambo, Puerto Rican cumbia, and indigenous music from Bolivia, Colombia, Brazil, and many other regions. In May, the ensemble performed to a sold-out audience at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, with Colombian guitarist Nilko Andreas and the AZLO Orchestra.

Music arrived in the New World not only from Europe but also from Africa, the Middle East, and Asia: “ida y vuelta,” Beau said, “with a round-trip ticket.” That is to say, the musical styles “were reflected back to Spain and Portugal, and then came back here again. And they’re still bouncing back and forth.” This symbiotic relationship “was kind of an early version of globalization,” Beau said. “In port cities like Havana, Buenos Aires, or Cadiz, indigenous people, African slaves, and Europeans intermingled … and people were coming up with all of these musical genres.”

While guitar is central to Ensemble Ibérica’s activities, on a typical night you might also hear an oud, a charango (10-string Bolivian lute), Andean flutes, or a Peruvian cajón (box drum). There are standard stringed instruments, too, and singers performing in a range of styles: on texts in Spanish, Portuguese, Ladino, Romani, and even quechua. Beau is the first to state that if the group performs in a style he feels he cannot address with authority, “usually that concert is going to be led by someone who is an expert.”

For tickets to Ensemble Ibérica’s concert with Nilko Andreas, on November 17th at The 1900 Building, go to ensembleiberica.org.

More at kcindependent.com.

CRISTO REY KANSAS CITY

Cristo Rey Kansas City was founded in 2006 by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The organization pairs a Catholic prep school education with a work/study program for high school students whose families would not be able to afford private schools offering similar opportunities. Eighty-seven percent of the families whose children attend Cristo Rey are Hispanic. The average household income is $33,000. Students receive scholarships, and while their families pay tuition, it is kept to a minimal amount. The first high school graduating class received their diplomas in 2010. Since that time, 100 percent of graduates have been accepted to college. All students take pre-advanced placement courses and have the option of progressing to advanced placement (AP) classes and advanced college credit placement courses. The work/study program means that students in their teens are able to earn part of the cost of their education, that they begin developing professional relationships and obtain valuable work experience and skills – all while still in their teens. Claudia Meyer, president, said, “More than a high school, Cristo Rey is a college preparatory school driven by one academic goal – to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and character necessary to graduate with a degree from a college or university.” She added, “Cristo Rey also provides – and requires – students to work to learn. In the workplace, students have access to professional networks and environments too often inaccessible to their communities.” Cristo Rey welcomes volunteers who are interested in serving as mentors to students. In addition, the school needs people who are willing to assist in staging Dancing with the Kansas City Stars, the annual fundraiser. For more information, go to cristoreykc.org. More at kcindependent.com.

John Currey, Christine Grossman, Beau Bledsoe, Ezgi Karakuş, Amado Espinoza, and Cristian Fatu

(Front row) Beau Bledsoe and Christine Grossman (back row) John Currey, Fedra Cooper Barrera, Bruno Bessa, and Ezgi Karakuş

Sophomore Arturo Garcia celebrated after winning a competition by the Video Game Club.

Odalys Garcia, student; Selena Moran, Cristo Rey Kansas City; Claudia Meyer, Cristo Rey Kansas City; and Rosalie Saenz, student; attended The Student Union Mission Alignment Conference at Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School.

Dan White

GREATER KANSAS CITY HISPANIC DEVELOPMENT FUND

The Greater Kansas City Hispanic Development Fund (HDF) was founded in 1983 by Tony Salazar. Its mission is to improve the quality of life of Latino families in Greater Kansas City by engaging the Latino community in philanthropy to build stronger communities through grantmaking and scholarship support. HDF acts in four ways: 1) increasing philanthropy through the annual Cambio para Cambio (Change for Change) campaign;

2) removing financial barriers to college through the HDF Scholarship Program; 3) advising students and their families through the HDF Family College Prep Program; and 4) supporting non profits that serve the Latino community through the HDF Grantmaking Program. “We are thankful for our volunteers, college and university match partners, and donors who helped us eclipse the $1 million milestone in HDF Scholarship awards to support 550 Kansas City Latino students in pursuit of two- and four-year college degrees. Since 1983, HDF has been steadfast in our belief that higher education is the best catalyst in advancing our community, and we are incredibly proud of the community effort to make the HDF Scholarship Program one of the largest Latino-serving scholarship programs in the country, said John Kearney, executive director. He added, “Cambio para Cambio continues to prove what we have always known: the Latino community is as giving as any other, and the strength of our community stems from our families.” During 2022-2023, HDF partnered with the Hispanic Federation (New York) to grant $200,000 to eight Kansas City Latin-serving non profits. The 2022 Cambio para Campio campaign featured nearly 50 fundraising teams and more than 800 individual donors, resulting in $430,000 raised for the HDF Scholarship Program. More than 750 students and their families received professional, bilingual, one-on-one college advising in the HDF Family College Prep Program, which also assisted more than 500 students in completing federal student aid forms and accessing financial aid and private scholarships. Volunteers are needed, notably to participate in the HDF Scholarship Workshops and serve as community graders of the HDF Scholarship applications. For more information, go to hdfkc.org. More at kcindependent.com.

HABITACIONES PARA LATINOS ASSOCIATION (HPLA CHARITIES)

The mission of Habitaciones Para Latinos Association (or HPLA, as it is commonly known) is to provide home repair services to low income homeowners at no cost. The more elaborate explanation involves volunteers helping owners avoid costly code violations on their homes that they normally could not afford. Things such as broken windows, wood rot, hanging gutters, and more are fixed or replaced at no cost to the owner. Founded by Donna and Robert Flores, they add, “Our goal is to try to make sure every family in our area has their very basic physiological needs met, and they are functional. Per Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, those basics are food, shelter, water, warmth, rest, safety, and good health.” According to the Flores’, HPLA has fixed hundreds of homes with multiple issues. Volunteers are needed to manage complex projects from start to finish. With no paid staff, this is truly a work of the heart. For more information: go to hplacharities.org. More at kcindependent.com.

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City is doing wonderful things in Our Town. Its business network helps to provide economic growth and development of its member businesses, which has, in turn, strengthened the community they serve. The Chamber’s mission is dedicated to the creation, advancement, promotion, and development of economic opportunities within the Hispanic market and business community, and it seeks to be the leading advocate on local, national, and international issues affecting the Kansas City Hispanic business community. The Sprint Hispanic Business Center, in partnership with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of GKC, offers a wide range of assistance in the areas of business classes and workshops, networking, consulting, meeting space, and much more. The KC BEST Initiative focuses on supporting and enhancing community small businesses through the inclusion and utilization of technology and digital applications, helping businesses to reach their full potential. The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City was founded in 1977 by 25 Hispanic business leaders who saw the need for an organization that would represent their interests in both public and private sectors. Their efforts led to the birth of the first United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 1979 under the leadership of Kansas City businessman, Hector Barreto, Sr. Hector went on to serve as president of the national Hispanic Chamber for the next 10 years and oversaw the organization’s move to Washington D.C. The current leadership team in the Kansas City area includes President and Chief Executive Officer Carlos Gomez, Alad Aguirre, Yani Vazquez Cruz, and Brenda Salcedo.

A 2023 HDF Scholar posed with her family.

A Bishop Ward High School team participated in the 2022 HDF Cambio para Cambio fundraising campaign.

Founder Robert Flores and Chino Rattanavong worked on a project for HPLA.

Rachel’s Reads

One of my favorite things about reading is the ability to experience different cultures and different lives. I know I’ve mentioned this George R.R. Martin quote before, but for me it really is true that “a reader lives a thousand lives.” It’s so fascinating to see the world through another lens, especially when that lens is one that you wouldn’t be able to understand on your own. Picking up a new book has a feeling of opening a window or a door; it allows you to see another person’s perspective and hopefully to step into their shoes. Some of the best novels that allow that experience are those labeled young adult. The coming of age narrative is one that is broad enough to relate to the story, yet also specific enough to learn from a fresh point of view. Below are several wonderful young adult novels to engage with as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

Elizabeth has become one of my favorite authors. This novel-in-verse deals with themes of grief, forgiveness, and love. When Camino and Yahaira learn that their father has passed away in a plane crash, they also learn how their shared father has kept his dual lives a secret from his two daughters. Each girl has her own distinctive voice, and both sides of the story are masterfully told.

This novel unflinchingly tackles ideas of steroid abuse and male body dysmorphia. After a video of him getting knocked down by a bully, David vows to bulk up over the summer and come back to school stronger than ever. As he spends all of his time at the gym, he falls into the dark side of the bodybuilding world and pursues his ideal body at all costs. Incredibly heavy and yet engaging, this book focuses on male mental and physical health.

The Shadowshaper Cypher Series by Daniel José Older

This trilogy is a wonderful urban fantasy series with a culturally rich setting that is also steeped in spiritual tradition. Sierra is looking forward to a summer of hanging with friends and making art when weird things begin to happen. She discovers the Shadowshapers who connect with spirits via paintings, music, and stories. Sierra must master her own abilities to save her family’s past, present, and future.

Heartbreak

Symphony by Laekan Zea Kemp

Aarón and Mia have both lost a parent and are using music to help them process their sadness. When they both run away from a music school audition, they find each other and realize they can help each other heal. Part navigating first love and part emotional punch addressing several heavy issues, this book doesn’t disappoint.

Never Look Back by Lilliam Rivera

A retelling of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, Eury comes to the Bronx after losing everything in Hurricane Maria. Pheus is a charming bachata singer ready to serenade friends on the beach. Everything changes when they meet each other, but the demons chasing Eury are powerful in the magical realism tale that is lyrical and thought provoking.

We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia

This compelling book is the first in a duology. It follows a girl named Daniela Vargas in a dystopian society where women are trained solely for household duties. It has forbidden love, spying to fight for equality, resistance, and using your voice to make the world better.

White Fox by Sara Faring

In this creepy and atmospheric novel, two distant sisters return to their home on a strange island wanting to find their mother who disappeared 10 years before. They use her last work to try and figure out what happened to her. Each sister is on her own journey but also on one together.

Here the Whole Time by Vitor Martins

When Felipe learns that Caio will be staying with his family for 15 days, he is distraught. Partly because he has a crush on Caio and partly because of his body image insecurities and inability to entertain him. Felipe will have to dive headfirst into all his issues, but hopefully he will win over Caio, too.

Happy Reading!

The New David Espinoza by Fred Aceves

Sara Marie Photography

A Thriving Westside: WESTSIDE CAN’S ROLE

By Monica V. Reynolds

Kansas City has a storied history, acting as a Gateway to the West in the mid1800s and witnessing the pivotal Civil War Battle of Westport in 1864. In the late 19th century, the Westside also saw an influx of Mexican immigrants. This wave of immigration had a profound influence on the neighborhood’s identity. Today, the Westside is a vibrant community of diverse Latin cultures.

During the past 29 years, one organization has tirelessly dedicated itself to enhancing the quality of life in Kansas City’s Westside, making it a safe, healthy, and thriving place for residents to live, play, and work. Westside Community Action Network (Westside CAN) has played a key role in preserving the heritage of the Westside while fostering a strong sense of community and civic engagement. Heading the charge at Westside CAN is Director Jorge Cormorac, who shared the benefits of their unique community policing program – a first of its kind in Kansas City. The program is focused on improving lives through a community engagement approach. “We do not believe that putting people in jail will fix crime,” Jorge said. “We do believe that with early intervention, and learning about the challenges people are living with, we are able to provide them better service, and better opportunities so we can work together to improve the lives of the people.”

With education, the policing program has earned the trust of local families and businesses, becoming their go-to resource for crime prevention. It isn’t merely about policing; it’s about fostering a proactive and engaged community. Residents engage in one-on-one conversations with officers and participate in neighborhood meetings.

In addition, Westside CAN uses the “broken window theory” to address neighborhood deterioration and its connection to crime. Recognizing the warning signs, the organization connects homeowners with city programs that aid in property updates.

Westside CAN also takes pride in managing an immigrant day labor center. Newcomers are welcomed with education, employment, and volunteer opportunities. They volunteer to remove graffiti, clean up overgrown grass, and

combat other neighborhood blight, thus creating a safer environment and intervening in potential crime hotspots. “We equip those new immigrants to be successful in contributing,” Jorge said. “We connect them with OSHA and also with the Department of Labor. Everyone has the right to work. Everyone has the right to be safe in their work, and everyone has the right to be paid as they’re supposed to be.”

Meanwhile, with gentrification sweeping through Kansas City, concerns about rising tax rates weigh heavily on Westside families. Recently, Westside CAN has focused on assisting residents with enrollment in the Chapter 353 Program, which allows families to freeze escalating home taxes for a 25-year period. As the Chapter 353 Program enters its second year, it’s poised to help even more families in lightening their tax burdens. At the time of this interview, 292 Westside families had already enrolled. Jorge said he anticipates many more families will apply within the next year.

In addition, collaboration is a cornerstone of Westside CAN’s work. The organization connects the community with various institutions and agencies. For instance, University Health educates and provides the community with vaccines and boosters. Parks and Recreation works to benefit seniors, families, and children. Meanwhile, Rotary and the Hispanic Federation address food security needs.

Looking ahead as the Director of Westside CAN, Jorge envisions maintaining strong community ties as the city continues to expand. He recognizes that growth presents both challenges and opportunities. Westside CAN aims to persistently advocate for the community’s interests and educate future leaders.

Moreover, affordable housing remains a top priority for Jorge, as do environmental initiatives, such as maintaining the Westside CAN orchard, Monarch butterfly garden, and bee colony, which sustain the environment and feed the community. With the challenges that inevitably come with increased visitors to the city, Westside CAN is strategically preparing to welcome them while ensuring the ongoing happiness and safety of its residents within the historic Westside district. More at kcindependent.com.

View from the Community Orchard

Community Butterfly Garden

Culinary Quick Picks: APPS AND SIPS

By Anne Potter Russ

It’s all about the happy hour and beverages and bites! Whether it is a date night, a girls’ night out, or a spur of the moment gathering of friends, the appetizers and libations rule the evening. We found some of our local favorites with which to celebrate this Hispanic Heritage Month, and we were not disappointed. With plenty of locations to choose from, these three restaurants offer a wide variety of delightful and delicious ways to spend some time relaxing after a long day. Enjoy!

BROOKSIDE BARRIO is one of four area Barrio restaurants, all serving taqueria-inspired fare and providing the ambiance to match. Especially known for happy hour, Brookside Barrio (Taqueria Barrio, Briarcliff, and Red Bridge are the other three), is a popular hangout for all ages, with indoor seating and the much-in-demand patio seating for those great-weather evenings when we want to see and be seen. Especially delish on the happy hour Comida (food) menu are the burnt end quesadillaswhich are as described - a plethora of flavor. Also recommended are the chips and loaded queso, which boasts a chorizo sauce and guacamole - everything in one bite! Bebida (drinks) range from a variety of margaritas to sangrias to beers, and much more. Happy hour pricing runs Monday through Thursday, 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with Fridays adding an extra jump start time of 1:30 p.m.

K- MACHO’S is the place to go for family fun, variety, and some really cool choices! There is a great kids’ menu, as well as a robust adults’ drink menu to complement the innovative appetizers. The drink choices include a Devil’s Margarita, which combines Espalon Blanco Tequila, Casillero del Diablo Malbec, and Grand Marnier for a delicious twist. On the tamer side is a Swirl Margarita, blending frozen house margarita with Lunazal Reposado and red Sangria. To munch on, try the Shrimp Cocktail in a margarita glass, with fresh avocado, cilantro and smooth salsa; or the Jalapeños Rellenos, deep fried deliciousness of mild jalapeños with cream cheese, served with a ranch dipping sauce. Locations are found in Overland Park and Olathe.

With the vibrant Victor Esqueda and Alejandro Hernandez at the helm of two IXTAPA restaurantsone in Overland Park and one in the Northlandauthentic, classic Mexican cuisine isn’t far away. Their extensive menu is filled with vintage-type dishes from the Pacific coastline for which the eateries are named. Although, should there be some confusion as to what to order, Victor will advise in the most delightful way, which might be the right choice! Beverages include the Ixtapa Martini, which has a deliciously sweet, unexpected rim and smooth tequila. The pretty Sangria over Margarita is a refreshing way to start a meal. For happy hour, we recommend a house specialtyQuesadillas de Cuitlacoche - corn, mushrooms, and goat cheese sauteed and placed in a corn tortilla. Also, on the must-have list are the Tamales. The pork and green sauce (not at all spicy) make the dish extraordinary, and a nice cold beer pairs nicely with the flavors. More at kcindependent.com.

Loaded Queso Frozen Red Sangria BBQ Burnt End Quesadilla

Swirl Margarita The Devil’s MargaritaJalapeños Rellenos

Quesadillas de Cuitlacoche

The Sangria over Margarita

Ixtapa Martinitequila and lime juice and special liqueurs, with a sugar rim

Calendar OF Events

SEPTEMBER

30

Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph; Outpace Poverty 5K; Lace up your sneakers - on your mark, get set, help end poverty! All participants will receive a t-shirt, goody bag, and treats; 8 a.m. Contact Susan Walker: 4001 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Suite 250, Kansas City, Missouri 64130 or 816-659-8218 or  outpacepoverty.org or swalker@ccharities.com.

30 Children’s Mercy Kansas City; Dream Big Day; A one-mile walk and family-friendly event celebrating the big dreams of kids at Children’s Mercy and in the Kansas City community; Crown Center Square. Contact Children’s Mercy Events: 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64108 or 816-346-1300 or dreambigday.org or events@cmh.edu.

6 The Salvation Army Kansas and Western Missouri Division; Carl J. DiCapo Italian Heritage Festival;  Join us for great Italian food and music! Food will be made fresh by Italian Gardens Pizza. Music by Jammin’ Jan & The GratiDudes. All proceeds will benefit The Salvation Army; Italian Gardens Pizza, 901 E 19th Street, Kansas City, Missouri; 6 p.m. Contact Danielle Wootton: 3637 Broadway, Kansas City, Missouri 64111 or 816-968-0372 or salarmymokan.org or  danielle.wootton@usc.salvationarmy.org.

7 Alzheimer’s Association; Walk to End Alzheimer’s - Kansas City; The world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. This inspiring event calls on participants from all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease; 8 a.m. Contact Laura Blatter: 3846 West 75th Street, Prairie Village, Kansas 66208 or 913-948-8654 or alz.org/kansascity or lcblatter@alz.org.

30

KC Shepherd’s Center; 2023 Event; Dinner, drinks, and entertainment. Contact Terri Goddard: 9200 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Missouri 64114 or 816-293-9614 or kcshepherdscenter.org or terri@kcshepherdscenter.org.

30 National WWI Museum and Memorial; Night at the Tower; Immerse yourself in the story of the Museum and Memorial and explore the many ways that you help us grow and continue to reach a more global audience. A spectacular night of food, fun, and entertainment awaits – as well as your chance to bid on special items; The National WWI Museum and Memorial; 6 p.m. Contact Paige Perlik: 2 Memorial Drive, Kansas City, Missouri 64108 or 816-888-8137 or nightatthetower.org or pperlik@theworldwar.org.

OCTOBER

1 Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care; Sunday Night Live; A funfilled evening of music, open bars, palate-tempting food from some of Kansas City’s best restaurants, and exciting raffles; KC Live! Block at Power & Light; 5 p.m.; $200. Contact Mary Zahner Bauer: 9001 State Line Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64114 or 816-276-2625 or kchospice.org/snl or mbauer@kchospice.org.

2 Horizon Academy;  Drive For Dyslexia Golf Tournament;  Third annual golf tournament to benefit scholarships for Horizon Academy. Breakfast, lunch, prizes, competitions, and after-golf reception; Hillcrest Golf Course; 8:30 a.m.; $150. Contact Cindy Wissinger: 4901 Reinhardt Drive, Roeland Park, Kansas 66205 or 913-789-9443 or  horizon-academy.com or  cwissinger@horizon-academy.com.

5 Growing Futures Early Education Center; Harvesting Hope; Event details to be determined. Contact Taylor Tran: 8155 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, Kansas 66204 or 913-649-9714 or growingfutureseec.org or ttran@growingfutureseec.org.

6 Jackson County CASA; Cocktails for CASA - A Night of Hope; Guests will enjoy exceptional food and drink, silent and live auction items, a photo booth, live jazz music, and a delicious signature drink; The Guild; 6 p.m. Contact Lara Klover: 2544 Holmes, Kansas City, Missouri 64108 or 816-785-4097 or jacksoncountycasa-mo.org or  lklover@jacksoncountycasa-mo.org.

The IndependentKansas City’s Oldest Magazine

7 Community LINC; Rent Party; Fashioned after the 1920 Harlem Rent Parties, the annual event features live and silent auctions, dinner, and dancing; 5:30 p.m. Contact Teresa McClain: 4014 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64110 or 816-595-5553 or communitylinc.org/rent-party or tmcclain@communitylinc.org.

7 Guadalupe Centers; Blanco y Negro Gala;  Held during Hispanic Heritage Month, the event will feature a three-course meal, open bar, speakers, awards, silent and live auctions, special raffles, entertainment, and fun for all; Union Station Kansas City; 5:30 p.m. Contact Alyx Bartrom: 1015 Avenida Cesar E. Chavez, Kansas City, Missouri 64108 or 816-421-1015 or guadalupecenters.org or abartrom@guadalupecenters.org.

7 KidsTLC; Benefit23;  KidsTLC turns up the excitement at its largest fundraising event as guests enjoy custom cocktails, delicious food stations, creative photo opportunities, virtual and live auctions, and a vibrant after-party that gets everyone on the dance floor; J. Rieger & Co. Contact Rojanae Williams: 480 West Rogers Road, Olathe, Kansas 66062 or 913-324-3610 or kidstlc.org/benefit or rwilliams@kidstlc.org.

9 Lakemary; Golf Classic with Will Shields; Known for its beauty and difficulty, Shadow Glen Golf Club is the perfect location for golfers to enjoy a day on the course filled with food, fun, drinks, and friendship. Contact Skyler Stevens: 100 Lakemary Drive, Paola, Kansas 66071 or  913-543-3429 or lakemary.org or skyler.stevens@lakemary.org.

9 University of Saint Mary; Golf Classic; Scramble tournament featuring food and beverages throughout the day, raffle prizes, and ending with an awards reception; Canyon Farms Golf Club; 8 a.m. Contact Kylie Adams: 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kansas 66048 or 913-758-6219 or gospires.com/golf-classic or kylie.adams@stmary.edu.

11 Women’s Committee - UMKC Conservatory; Scholarship Social Event; An informal afternoon event including social networking with students, refreshments, and a musical performance by Conservatory students; 4:30 p.m. Contact Michele Hamlett-Weith: 4949 Cherry Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64110 or 913-269-1993 or conservatory.umkc.edu/ get-involved/constituent-groups or mchwdc@gmail.com.

13 The Family Conservancy; 2023 Blue Carpet Event; A swanky cocktail party featuring a delicious dinner, music, and a celebration of one TFC family who has overcome insurmountable odds; The Abbott. Contact Jocelyn Mourning: 444 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas 66101 or 913-742-4144 or thefamilyconservancy.org or jmourning@thefamilyconservancy.org.

14 Kansas City Zoo; Brew at the Zoo; Guests age 21 and older will enjoy an evening of live music, sampling of more than 35 local breweries and wineries, and food trucks to tame your belly’s roar; Kansas City Zoo. Contact Susan McFee: 6800 Zoo Drive, Kansas City, Missouri 64132 or 816-595-1234 or kansascityzoo.org or askthezoo@fotzkc.org.

14 Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art; Kemper Gala; There are no speeches or auctions, just fantastic cuisine, dancing, and surprising entertainment; Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art; 7 p.m. Contact Don Schreiner: 4420 Warwick Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri 64111 or 816-753-5784 or kemperart.org/gala or dschreiner@kemperart.org.

21 KyMel; Camp for a Cause; It’s a fun night of challenges, where teams compete against each other to get their team’s name on our coveted trophy and win a prize package. Sip cocktails, play unique games, bid on auction items, and we’ll all raise our glasses for a good cause; Pennway Place at Studio Dan Meiners. Contact James Wohlwend: 3132 Northeast 91st Place, Kansas City, Missouri 64156 or 816-895-9635 or kymel.org/cause or kymel@kymel.org.

14

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City; Spark of Hope Gala; Enjoy entertainment, unique cocktails, delicious food, and live and silent auctions. Join us as we ignite that light; Loews Kansas City Hotel; 6 p.m. Contact Allison Malott: 2502 Cherry Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64108 or 816-541-8314 or rmhckc.org/gala or amalott@rmhckc.org.

14 Sheffield Place; Off the Wall; The fun-filled event features live and silent auctions, drawings, art created live onsite, dinner, drinks, photo booth, dancing to a band, and more; The LEX at Municipal Auditorium; 5:30 p.m. Contact David Hanzlick: 6604 East 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64126 or 816-483-9927 or sheffieldplace.org or dhanzlick@sheffieldplace.org.

14 Starlight; Annual Starlight Benefit Gala; Guests will enjoy a fantastic dinner held on the Starlight stage. Black-tie; Starlight Theatre;  6 p.m. Contact Andrew Lang: 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64132 or 816-997-1129 or kcstarlight.com/gala or andrew.lang@kcstarlight.com.

19 Brookside Charter School; Legacy Celebration; Recognizing community members, staff, students, and families who have contributed to the legacy of the School. Guests can expect dinner, an auction, and an interactive art installation; Brookside Charter School; 6:30 p.m.; $30. Contact Kelly Sales: 1815 East 63rd Street, Kansas City,Missouri 64130 or 816-531-2192 or brooksidecharter.org/legacy or info@brooksidecharter.org.

19 Youth Ambassadors; Blue Jean Bash Gala; Guests will experience diverse speakers, including two of the original Freedom Writers with each highlighting their distinct perspectives and personal discoveries. Throughout the evening, you’ll enjoy delicious food and the company of those who share a passion for empowering the next generation.; The Venue in Leawood; 6:30 p.m.; $100. Contact Joymarie Hembree: P.O. Box 22867, Kansas City, Missouri 64113 or 816-838-1772 or youthambassadorskc.org/blue-jean-bash-2023 or joymarie@youthambassadorskc.org.

20 CASA of Johnson & Wyandotte Counties; Hops & Barley;  CASA’s annual  Hops & Barley event features beer and wine tastings, a wine pull, auction, fun patio games, live music, delicious dining options, and a guest appearance from Voice of the Jayhawks, Brian Hanni, as our event emcee and auctioneer!; The Venue at Willow Creek; 6 p.m.; $95. Contact Colleen Bryan: 6400 Glenwood Street, Suite 100, Overland Park, Kansas 66202 or 913-715-4035 or secure.qgiv.com/event/hopsbarley2023/ or cbryan@casajwc.com.

21 FIRE Foundation; FIRE Ball; Event details to be determined; Kay Barnes Grand Ballroom at Kansas City Convention Center; 6 p.m.; $175. Contact Susan Williams: 20 West 9th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105 or 816-810-1199 or firefoundation.org or susan@firefoundation.org.

21 Next Paige Foundation; Honoring Legacy Gala; Celebrate young creatives and honor the legacy of those in our creative community. Enjoy an immersive arts experience across two floors, including music, food, and many surprises. Dress code: metallic (have fun and make Beyoncé proud!); The Next Paige; 6 p.m.; $100. Contact Elaina Paige:  5930 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64110 or 816-405-1902 or  nextpaigefoundation.org/event-details/next-paige-foundation-honoringlegacy-gala or info@nextpaigefoundation.org.

21 Pathway To Hope; Night of Hope; We’re changing it up this year with an immersive cocktail event including a heads or tails raffle, a wine pull with fabulous wines, and a silent auction featuring golf excursions, hotel stays, staycation packages, and more; 6 p.m. Contact Aaron Cash: 2140 East Santa Fe Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062 or 913-397-8552 or noh2023.givesmart.com or aaronc@pathwaytohope.org.

21 Saint Luke’s Foundation; Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute Gala; Join us as we celebrate our 1,000th heart transplant; event details to be determined. Contact Jennifer McBratney: 901 East 104th Street, Mailstop 100 South, Kansas City, Missouri 64131 or 816-932-5612 or saintlukeskc.org/saint-lukes-foundation or slhf.events@saint-lukes.org.

OurTown

by Charlie Podrebarac

Wednesday,

2400 West 75th Street, Suite 120 Prairie Village, KS 66208

22 Rose Brooks Center; Safe Futures Brunch; A beautiful event focused on educating a community about the important work of Rose Brooks Center; 11:30 a.m.; free admission for table hosts and guests. Contact Kerry Schmittling: P.O. Box 320599, Kansas City,  Missouri 64132 or 816-605-7112 or rosebrooks.org/safe-futures-brunch or kerrys@rosebrooks.org.

26 AdventHealth Kansas City Foundation; Tiny Tim Holiday Fantasy; A special celebration to support children and families served at the B.E. Smith Family Center. This fun, one-of-a-kind event features a delicious dinner and silent and live auctions. Contact Alisha Blackwelder: 7315 East Frontage Road, Suite 221, Merriam, Kansas 66204 or 913-676-2058 or tinytimholidayfantasy.org or alisha.blackwelder@adventhealth.com.

26 The Northland Shepherd’s Center; Art of the Vine; This business casual fundraising event will feature delectable samples from Northland restaurants, artwork from local artists, and more!; The Cable Event Center; 6 p.m.; $75. Contact Leia Barrett: 5601 NE Antioch Road, Suite 12, Gladstone, Missouri 64119 or 816-452-4536 or northlandsc.org or leia@northlandsc.org.

27-29 Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri; Holiday Mart 2023; A multi-day shopping event, held since 1988, that draws thousands of visitors each year; 9 a.m. Contact Celeste Greenlee: 9215 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Missouri 64114 or 816-444-2112 or jlkc.org/events/holiday-mart or cgreenlee@jlkc.org.

28 BOTAR; The BOTAR Ball; Featuring the presentation of the 2023 BOTAR class, the escorts, and royal escorts. Cocktails, the formal presentation, dinner, and dancing will be held at this black-tie event; Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown; 7 p.m. Contact BOTAR: 6320 Brookside Plaza, Suite 130, Kansas City, Missouri 64113 or 816-679-5513 or botar.org or hello@botar.org.

28 Catholic Education Foundation; Gaudeamus; Leaders in education, business, parishes, and civic groups gather to celebrate Catholic education; Overland Park Convention Center; 6 p.m. Contact Amy Meara: 12615 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas 66109 or 913-721-1574 or cefgala.org or ameara@archkck.org.

NOVEMBER

3 UMKC Conservatory; Crescendo; Enjoy a gourmet dinner followed by breathtaking performances by the UMKC Conservatory’s talented students and internationally acclaimed faculty. Contact Laura Rupp: 5115 Oak Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64112 or 816-235-6004 or umkc.edu/crescendo or ruppl@umkc.edu.

4 Family Health Care;  Champagne & Chocolate; This festive event combines delicious chocolate desserts donated by the area’s foremost restaurants, bakeries, and chocolatiers with a relaxed gathering in a private home; 6 p.m.; $125. Contact Shari Webster: 340 Southwest Boulevard, Kansas City, Kansas 66103 or 913-722-3100 or swbfhc.org or shariwebster@kcfhc.org.

4 Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA); Night Out with MOCSA; Get ready for a night filled with art, music, dancing, and an open bar with delectable bites; Midland Theatre; 7:30 p.m. Contact Sandra Williams: 3100 Broadway, Suite 400, Kansas City, Missouri 64111 or 816-285-1341 or mocsa.org/nightout or swilliams@mocsa.org.

Director •Lisa M. Shea Non-profit Director and Digital Media Strategist • Annie England Director of Sales and Production •Lauren Cashman Performing Arts Editor •Paul Horsley Content Manager •Anne Potter Russ Director of Program Guide Operations •Christin Painter Office and Circulation Manager •Laura Gabriel Feature Writers •Monica V. Reynolds and Anne Potter Russ Cartoonist •Charlie Podrebarac If you are interested in promoting your business to more than 750,000 community members in the Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and Starlight Theatre Program Guides, please contact Christin Painter: christin@kcindependent.com. Our office is located at: 2400 West 75th Street, Suite 120 Prairie Village, KS 66208 • 816.471.2800 Subscription Rate: $50.00 • Vol. CXXIV September 30, 2023 No. 20 All editorial photos were submitted by the event’s sponsoring organization, unless otherwise stated. KCINDEPENDENT.COM ESTABLISHED 1899 | KANSAS CITY’S JOURNAL OF SOCIETY | KCINDEPENDENT.COM

4 Veterans Community Project; The House Party; Celebrating veterans in a way only VCP can. Join more than 1,400 Veterans and passionate community supporters as we enjoy an evening of camaraderie, food, dancing, and fun; T-Mobile Center; 6 p.m.; $150. Contact Michele Orpin: 8900 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64131 or 816-599-6503 or one.bidpal.net/thehouseparty or morpin@vcp.org.

7 AFP Greater Kansas City; National Philanthropy Day Celebration; Founded in 1986 by presidential proclamation of the AFP to recognize charitable giving in all its forms, AFPKC celebrates this day locally to honor Kansas City individuals and companies that embody the spirit of philanthropy; 5 p.m.; Kauffman Foundation Conference Center. Contact Tonya Mobley: P.O. Box 32101, Kansas City, Missouri 64171 or 816-226-6383 or afpkc.org or support@afpkc.org.

IF YOU GIVE A CHILD A BOOK AND A BACKPACK... The on Society

If you give a child a chance, they can do anything in the world! That’s what it’s all about during the Westside CAN Back To School Pep Rally. With the help of a village of dedicated staff and volunteers, we predict, as Dr. Seuss would say, “You’re off to great places!

Today is your day!”

Kim Fair aimed for the giant target!

Hanna Daab and Jorge Coromac, Westside CAN

Carolina Benitez, Alejandra Gonzalez, Maria Savoy, and Maria Villa

Michael Schenkelberg, Matt Cobbins, Seth Ussary, and Nick Garcia