Centurions Leadership Program

We are excited to announce MOTHER'S REFUGE as the Pinnacle 2025-26 Legacy Project! The Centurions Legacy Project entails a year-long partnership between a given Centurions cohort & a local KC nonprofit organization, with Centurions providing dedicated volunteer hours & other services. Mother's Refuge is dedicated to providing shelter, education, and support for homeless, pregnant, & parenting young women, empowering them to build brighter futures. As part of this partnership, we’ll work together to expand their incredible impact & help further their mission of fostering hope & opportunity for young mothers. Stay tuned for updates on how we’re collaborating and for opportunities to get involved in making a difference. Together, we can create meaningful change! Learn more about Mother’s Refuge and their mission here: https://lnkd.in/g-Ah9f8f #LegacyProject #MothersRefuge #MakingADifference #CommunityImpact #Pinnacle2025

It's Task Force day for our Apex cohort! We're exploring the history and current state of #education in Kansas City and how we can make change. #LearnServeLead

🌟 Centurions Spotlight: Panela Leung 🌟 Meet Panela L., a true leader in the Apex Class! As co-chair of the Curriculum Committee and member of the Cradle to Diploma taskforce, Panela is shaping the future of Kansas City. Pan shared her thoughts on the greatest opportunities in Kansas City and role Centurions play. Thank you for your leadership! #Centurions #LearnServeLead #CenturionsKC

🌟 Centurions Spotlight: Jessica Herman, MPA 🌟 As co-chair of the Cradle to Diploma Taskforce and a member of the Curriculum Committee, Jes reflects what it means to Learn, Serve, Lead. Thank you, Jes, for your dedication to making an impact in Kansas City! #CenturionsKC #LearnServeLead #Centurions

Today's #CenturionsSpotlight shines on Dr. Kirsten Brown Persley! 🎉 As a dedicated co-chair of the Apex class's Cradle to Diploma Taskforce and an active member of the DEI Committee, Dr. Brown Persley exemplifies the true spirit of #LearnServeLead. Check out Kirsten's reflection below on what Learn, Serve, Lead means to her. 🌟

Our December Pinnacle Task Force on Arts, Culture, & Entertainment painted a ✨ masterpiece✨ (*badum tiss*) of programming last week. Led by phenomenal task force chairs Philip Cole, CFA & Whitney White, CPSM - along with team-members Abby Parra, MBA, Bradley Banken, Deb Blaylock, Lori Funk, & Keilah Sullivan - the day emphasized (1) underrepresented artistic venues in the KC area & (2) support for local KC-based artists & performers. 🎨 We kicked off the day at The Rabbit hOle, a new museum in KC that brings to life a century of American children’s literature for visitors of all ages, & the first museum of its kind in the US. 🎨 Jonathan Thomas, Managing Director at the Coterie Theatre opened the conversation with a keynote address on “The State of Arts, Entertainment, & Culture in KC,” addressing art as a driver of economic investment & broader community benefit. 🎨 During our second panel, Pete Cowdin – co-founder & co-director of The Rabbit hOle – & Robert Riccardi addressed “The Rabbit hOle: Past, Present, & Future” on the unique vision & execution of this spectacular venue. 🎨 We then moved to Englewood Arts, a nonprofit out of Independence, MO, crafting a diverse & sustainable community in harmony with the arts. We began our time at Englewood with Local KC Artist Speed Dating, visiting with: 🖌️  Katie Mabry van Dieren, CEO of The Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair & Shop Local KC. 🖌️ Danielle Ate the Sandwich, songwriter, ukulele- & guitar-player, & performer. 🖌️ Kelly Dougherty (she/her), lifelong musician who has performed across the Midwest & South. 🖌️ Stephen Taylor, standup comedian & co-founder of Barrel of the Bottoms studio & co-host of the Set to Destroy podcast. 🖌️ Kian Byrne, a multi-instrumentalist who plays for numerous local KC bands. 🖌️  Shannon Knopke, artist, actor, & producer. 🖌️ Kadesh Flow, a rapper with an MBA & a trombone Super Saiyan. 🎨Michael Baxley, Director of Development for Englewood Arts, led our final panel on “The Power of Arts: Rebuilding Community” with: 🖌️ Zach Walker, Independence City Manager since 2016; 🖌️ Dana M. K., President & CEO of ArtsKC - Regional Arts Council. 🖌️ Teresa Dorsch, Interim Executive Director at Englewood Arts; 🖌️ Tammy Parsons, owner/operator of B-Vogue Salon & Gallery & co-founder/President of West iNd Connection; 🖌️ Danielle DuPree-Crawford, Executive Director of the Ennovation Center, a nonprofit business incubator in Independence; & 🖌️ GK Callahan, artist & engagement professional. 🎨 Centurions then viewed a live glass-blowing demonstration & toured Englewood Arts. 🎨 We wrapped up the day with a presentation on "The Art & History of Drag" by Stuart Hinds, Curator of Special Collections & Archives at University of Missouri-Kansas City. Thank you to Attack Coffee, Blue Pot Catering, & fabulous sponsors Flint Group of Agencies, Haren Companies, & Meritage Portfolio Management - &, as always, to our task force team!

📢 We are ~1 month out from the January 15, 2025 deadline to apply for the Centurions Pinnacle cohort! 📢 What can you do if you're interested in Kansas City's premier leadership program? ➡️ Attend our Virtual Info Session - Wednesday, December 18 | ⏰ 12-1pm | ✅ Register here: https://lnkd.in/gfpcjXKN ➡️ Still have questions? Consider our Centurions Application Workshop - Tuesday, January 7 | ⏰ 3-5pm | | ✅ Register here: https://lnkd.in/gWijcWMn ➡️ Make sure to apply on the KC Chamber's website by the 01/15 deadline. ✅ Apply here: https://lnkd.in/g45R_sjU And contemplate Centurions! 🤔 🧠

Today's #CenturionsSpotlight is Julie Klima, MPA, a co-chair of the Pinnacle class's Community Leadership committee & a member of the July Crime in Kansas City Task Force. Check out Julie's response below on what has been her most impactful experience in Centurions thus far. P.S. Julie hit 100 hours of community service through Centurions last week! Go Julie! #LearnServeLead

Happy Thanksgiving week! Today's #CenturionsSpotlight is Becca Craig, CFP®, CSLP®, ABA, a co-chair of the Pinnacle class's Curriculum Committee & a member of the May Sports Task Force. Check out Becca's response below on what she would tell someone considering applying for Centurions! #LearnServeLead

During this week of gratitude, we wanted to express our sincere thanks to Lakeside Nature Center for hosting a wonderful Issues Up Close program for the Centurions Leadership Program last week! 🌿🐾 We truly enjoyed learning about conservation & wildlife rehabilitation right here in Missouri. It was such a treat to meet some incredible education animals, including Pixie the opossum, nonvenomous snakes, & beautiful raptors. 🐍✨ Check out Lakeside's website to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gTqK7jDG The work Lakeside accomplishes is tremendously important—from saving injured animals to educating the community about the myriad positive impacts of wildlife protection. Happy Thanksgiving week & thank you to Lakeside for your dedication, sharing your passion with Centurions, for inspiring us to care for the natural world around us! 💚 #Conservation #WildlifeRehabilitation #LakesideNatureCenter #LearnServeLead