Creating a World Where Everyone is Included.

If you are ever fortunate enough to have a conversation with Variety KC’s Chief Inclusion Officer Deborah Wiebrecht, be prepared to be energized. After 15 years of leading the children’s charity, Deborah’s enthusiasm is contagious. As she prepares to hand over the reins to a new generation of leaders, she is still pushing Kansas City to be the most inclusive place in the country.

The origin story of Variety Clubs is as unique as its mission, isn’t it?

Variety KC is actually one of the oldest charities in Kansas City. We’re about to celebrate our 90th birthday! The national Variety Club began in 1928, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, when a group of men in the entertainment industry discovered a baby at the front door of their club with a note pinned to her that read, “I heard people in the industry of entertainment have big hearts. I can’t take care of this baby. Please, raise her and take care of her.” They did! That baby became an adult and had children. Her son is actually on the board of directors for Variety of Texas.

You’ve been in KC for over 30 years, but you were raised in Wisconsin and, in fact, reigned as Miss Wisconsin in 1985. Did that experience set the stage for your work with children through the years?

I gave all of my earnings as Miss Wisconsin to two charities: The Leukemia Foundation in honor of my father and the Special Olympics. That’s where my love for kids with special needs came from and that’s where my love for philanthropy came from. them participating. When we asked families why, they told us it’s because the world has barriers. Are there ramps? Are there adult-size changing tables? Are there sensory areas? So, our next mission was to work with Kansas City to change the way we build things. I think one of our first partners was the zoo. And, more recently, we worked with the people building the new KCI. I get pictures from people, daily, when they travel, of their kids using our playground at the airport. Kids playing together. It’s the first impression they have of our city. How inclusive we are.

Maybe it was God whispering in my ear because I just like everyone to participate and belong. Exclusion hurts and I don’t want kids to feel that. When I see kids included, it brings them joy. It shows them they can do whatever they want to do and be whatever they want to be.

What role does the American Jazz Museum play in keeping this important music alive?

This is a hybrid institution. We’ve got the museum element for daily visitors to come in and learn about the history; but we also have a working jazz club in the Blue Room, and we’ve got the Gem Theater across the street. We shepherd them into an experience where they can really see and feel the effects of being in a live environment.

Initially, Variety KC was focused on helping individuals and their families with the physical and emotional needs that children with special challenges require. But, even with all that good work, you saw that there was a substantial piece of the puzzle of inclusion missing.

I’ve always been at the intersection of arts education, of nonprofit business, and of culture. I live in this matrix. It really allows me to work hard and play hard at the same time. I love what I do and, you know, our staff loves what we all do. It’s a work of passion.

You started here as the pandemic was really taking hold. That must have presented special challenges right from the start.

There was an opportunity even during the pandemic. It makes me think of the seasons. We need the winter because there are things happening beneath the soil. Things being seeded that will burst when the spring comes. I think that happened with the pandemic. There was a lot of opportunity to grow, to incubate. In fact, we opened up our Jazz Incubator for the musician community, which had a tough time in the pandemic, a space for them to come in, play, learn, and get resources.

What else do you want out of life but to know that your dollars have made a difference and positively impacted your city?

While it is hard to come up with an exact number of children playing on the Variety KC playgrounds and ball fields or using the sensory bags available in so many locations now, it is safe to say that the organization reaches tens of thousands every year. Have you found that children, with special needs and without, are sometimes quicker to be accepting than adults?

It has been a quarter of century since the American Jazz Museum opened its doors. I know you have so much planned starting with the “In The Yard” celebration the weekend before the August 29th birthday of Charlie Parker. Then, in September, a beautiful new exhibit honoring 25 years at 18th and Vine. But, you are always looking forward, to the next 25.

Kids have no judgment. They have no prejudice. They just wanna play. They just wanna be friends. We’ve created a normalcy of kids to play together so that they aren’t different. Twenty-six percent of our population has special needs. It’s the single largest minority population that had never been included in the conversation. Variety KC gives them a voice.

It’s important for us to continue to anchor the neighborhood. Our community depends on that. This was a vision that was started 25 years ago but it’s got to grow. It’s got to grow in a way that’s authentic and genuine. I think it’s really a wonderful opportunity.

It’s unfair to ask if there’s one story that stands out from your 15 years of service but, more generally, when it comes to the kids, what does come to mind?

I hang my heart on the children that we have lost along the way. I can feel good knowing that while they were here, we were impactful to them, and we made a positive difference.

I noticed that there were so many kids we were helping but you didn’t see them in the community. I never saw them out. I never saw

People need to come here and really understand the roots of this town. What’s in the soil. What’s in the sidewalks. Appreciate the authentic and genuine culture that contributed to much of Kansas City history. Eighteenth and Vine. The American Jazz Museum. It’s the heartbeat of the city.

I get energized from what I do! People need to find things in their lives that give them energy and bring them joy. This job has done it for me. I will always be a part of the Variety family.

About The Author

Joel Nichols has been interviewing fascinating people from Kansas City and around the nation for 35 years. Today, he does freelance work for a number of area organizations, as well as emcee events in our town. Please, visit Joel Nichols Communications, online.