MY RECORD

I'm proud to have led the creation of the Kansas City Futures Office within the Kansas City Health Department, housing both the Kansas City Youth Commission (ages 13-18) and the Kansas City Young Adult Commission (ages 19-24). With input from local leaders, educators, and community advocates, we secured a $40,000 initial budget, setting the stage for real, impactful change. These commissions are central to our city’s outreach and engagement efforts for youth and young adults, focusing on Advocacy, Community Impact, and Social Support. By working directly with the City Council, they ensure young voices are heard in policy decisions that shape their future. Already, these commissions are taking action on projects that make a difference today—building a stronger and more inclusive Kansas City for tomorrow. Platform Issue: Youth Advocacy Read More: Kansas City launches KC Futures Youth Commission | Fox4KC Kansas City leaders looking to launch youth council to enact change, called KC Future Commissions

I'm proud to have led the creation of the Construction Trades Design and Build Pathway, known as KCFutureBuilders, at Manual Career & Technical Center, in collaboration with KCPS and Manual Tech leadership. This program equips students with the hands-on skills and credentials needed to enter the construction industry immediately after graduating high school, setting them up for success in Kansas City's fastest-growing and high-demand sector. Through KCFutureBuilders, students gain valuable experience working on key community projects like the 18th & Vine Parking Garage and the Washington Wheatley Teacher Cottages, for example. This initiative not only prepares youth for good-paying jobs with benefits but also contributes to the long-term growth and stability of our community. I ensured this pilot program wouldn't cost taxpayers a dime—raising $250,000 in private donations, with all proceeds going directly to the Kansas City Public School Foundation. This project exemplifies my commitment to creating opportunities for youth, driving economic stability, and investing in long-term community solutions. Platform Issue: Youth Advocacy, Good Paying Jobs with Benefits

In partnership with KCPD, KCFD, KCPS leadership, and Manual Tech leadership, I helped create a Public Safety Career Pathway at Manual Tech High School, providing students with the training, resources, and credentials needed to enter the public safety workforce immediately after graduation—right here in our community with Kansas City Fire Department and Kansas City Police Department. This initiative doesn’t just provide students with jobs—it offers them sustainable careers with the potential to earn a median annual wage exceeding $100,000. These are careers that will support our youth and their families for years to come. In addition to competitive wages, the inclusion of pension and health insurance benefits ensures that students have the security and stability they need to thrive both personally and professionally. By offering this career pathway in public safety, we’re not only equipping our youth with valuable skills; we’re investing in the long-term stability and safety of our city. This is an opportunity to build a better future for both the young people in this program and for the entire Kansas City community. Platform Issue: Youth Advocacy, Good Paying Jobs with Benefits

At the groundbreaking of the new King Empowerment Center, I was proud to announce the launch of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program—an initiative built on a simple truth: strong schools need strong neighborhoods, and strong neighborhoods need strong schools. This program begins right here in Vineyard, in collaboration with Kansas City Public Schools and our City’s Digital Equity Office. It focuses on stabilizing the areas around reopened schools by investing in minor home repairs and expanding access to digital resources like laptops and Wi-Fi for families who need them most. As KCPS reopens and revitalizes schools, we’re making sure neighborhoods grow with them—because our kids deserve both a great education and a thriving community to grow up in. Platform Issue: Improved Basic Services, Youth Advocacy

I secured $250,000 to launch a Youth & Family CAN Center, a project designed to create a dedicated community space focused on supporting young people and families. While this project remains on the horizon, work is actively underway to bring it to life. This center will provide resources, programming, and a safe environment for youth and families to grow, connect, and thrive. It’s an investment in the next generation and in the stability of our community—because when we support our young people and their families, we build a stronger Kansas City for everyone. Platform Issue: Improved Basic Services, Youth Advocacy