35 years ago, Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA) was formed as the second home of Alvin Ailey and we continue his mission to bring our communities together through inclusiveness and diversity. We do this through education, performances and events such as our Annual Race, Place & Diversity Dinner and Symposium.
2019 Race, Place & Diversity Dinner
2019 Race, Place & Diversity Dinner
October 25, 2019
VIP Reception with Ben Jealous 5:30 PM
Dinner and Award Ceremony 7:00 PM
Westin Crown Center Hotel – Century Ballroom
Ben Jealous
Each year at our Diversity Event, KCFAA honors an individual whose actions and practices endeavor to break down discriminatory barriers such as: racial, religious, socioeconomic, ethnic, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and disabilities.
Our annual Race, Place & Diversity Dinner will be held on Friday, October 25th at the Westin Crown Center Hotel . We are proud to honor Mr. Ben Jealous as the National Award recipient at our Race, Place & Diversity Award Dinner. As the former president and CEO of the NAACP, Ben led the organization in becoming the largest door-to-door voter registration operation nationwide. He was the youngest president in the history of the NAACP.
Now affiliated with the Silicon Valley venture capital firm Kapor Capital, Benjamin continues to further the goal of growing opportunities for minorities in the tech economy.
2019 Race, Place & Diversity Dinner Event Co-Chairs
Karen Curls, Ph.D. (L) and Jane Gard (R)
Race, Place & Diversity Dinner
This year, we are proud to present our inaugural Race, Place and Diversity Community Award to Allies for Racial Justice. This organization was created in 2016 in response to the racial turmoil and division across the country arising from systemic issues of police brutality toward the African American community. Their mission is to “forge authentic relationships to eliminate the existing racial divide in our communities and churches.” They use education and relationship building to develop understanding and deep bonds within a long segregated community with the ultimate goal of creating lasting systemic change. Over the last three years the Allies have hosted community forums, panel discussions re: race and the the justice system, movie/documentary discussions, national speakers on equity in education and understanding white privilege. They have created diverse small groups, taught equity classes and held various social gatherings to build relationships and understanding among diverse communities in the greater Kansas City area.
2019 Race, Place & Diversity Dinner Honorary Co-Chairs
Dr. Emanuel Cleaver III
We are also pleased to announce that Dr. Emanuel Cleaver III, Sr. Pastor of St. James United Methodist Church, and Rev. Adam Hamilton, Sr. Pastor from Church of the Resurrection, will be our 2019 Honorary Co-Chairs for the dinner. These two dynamic leaders and their church members formed a partnership to create Allies for Racial Justice. We will recognize and honor their leadership.
Rev. Adam Hamilton
The 2018 Race, Place & Diversity Dinner
Photos by Mike Strong
Race, Place & Diversity Symposium
Photo by Mike Strong
Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey created a symposium event that focused attention on fostering awareness of issues of diversity at the local, regional, national, and international level. Our speakers have conducted group sessions centering on the effect of racial inequality on an organization and the opportunities for change through strategic collaboration.
This event has been held in the historic 18th & Vine District.
Photos from the 2017 Race, Place & Diversity Symposium
With special thanks to our photographer, Mike Strong.
