The Kansas City Museum’s annual Derby Party will be held on May 4th 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 Chiefs Charity Game, which was held on August 26th, continues a long-standing commitment of supporting the local community. The annual event, created by 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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

The Johnson County Museum was the site for The New Theatre Scholarship Guild’s annual event, which featured a “1940s Canteen Jazz Party” theme. Caryn Hastings served as the chairman. 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 […]

How does Julie Arnold help HALO? Many ways! Beginning in 2017, she has led workshops for young people who are homeless or at-risk. She launched and still supports the HALO Makers program. Young people create serving trays from reclaimed wood, and the trays are then sold at HALO events. This benefits the participants in the […]

Members of the BOTAR Class of 2023 gathered at Margaux Blackwell’s beautiful home for the BOTAR Reveal event on August 24th. They had a great time – and left knowing who their escorts would be. Margaux served as an event co-chairman, along with Lauren Sotos. The BOTAR Ball will be held on October 28th at […]

Double the pleasure, double the fun! Darling twin boys, William David Collins and Wesley Porter Collins, arrived on January 27th. Their proud parents are Monica and David Collins of Vero Beach, Florida. The active duo joins older brother, Rivers Collins, age eight, and older sister, Cameron Collins, age six. The boys are fraternal twins. Will […]

Adele McConnell Royle and Blake Clemens McCartney were joined in matrimony on July 22nd at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City, Missouri. The bride is the daughter of Gwen and Mike Royle of Parkville, Missouri. Her groom is the son of Michele and David McCartney of Manchester, Missouri. Adele is the granddaughter […]

January 20th is the date for The 50th Annual Snow Ball, which will be held at the Overland Park Convention Center. Veronica and Peter Mallouk are serving as the presidents, and Kathy and Jack Newman are the honorary presidents for the black-tie evening. The Emerald City Band will provide the entertainment following a cocktail reception […]

To learn more about becoming a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Kansas City Chapter, please visit afpkc.org. The Independent is proud to be the exclusive media partner of AFPKC. 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 […]

November 19th is the date for the Henry W. Bloch Human Relations Event, hosted by the Jewish Community Relations Bureau|AJC. Bill Berkley, Lisa Ginter, Gordon Lansford, Madeleine McDonough, Jeff Simon, and Bridgette Williams are the co-chairs for the festivities, which will be held at The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center. Joe Reardon will be […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Pathway To Hope’s annual Donor Appreciation Event was held recently in The Argyle Room at Children’s Mercy Park. Donors and volunteers enjoyed meeting Tara Adler, the organization’s new executive director. In addition to celebrating, details were shared regarding the upcoming gala, Night of Hope, on October 21st.    Featured in the September 16, 2023 issue […]

October 28th is the date for American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Kansas City, which will be held at Crown Center. The Walk is a celebration of courage and hope, and a movement to unite communities to end breast cancer. Proceeds from the event fund lifesaving breast cancer research, with a commitment […]

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Kent Hickerson of Overland Park, Kansas, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Emily Anne Hickerson, to Peter Bryant Milledge, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Droste DeForest Milledge, Jr. of Mission Hills, Kansas. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Tollefson, Dianne Hickerson […]

For 25 years, Tom Watson’s Day For Kids Golf Tournament has raised funds to ensure that young people have the opportunity to learn to play – and love – golf. On August 28th, First Tee Greater Kansas City hosted the event, which was held at Loch Lloyd Country Club. A VIP breakfast, Tom Watson Clinic, […]

The Gallery Event Space was the site for Awesome Ambitions’ Purse-onality 2023. The festive event featured two fashion shows, a brunch, and entertainment from Eboni Fondren. Awesome Ambitions girls modeled purses on the runway and mentioned positive character traits that they always carry with them, just like purses. The event chair, Fahteema Parrish, orchestrated a […]

After more than two decades and four deans, it was beginning to look as if the UMKC Conservatory’s dream of a new facility would remain just that: a dream. Until now, that is. “This fall, Dean Courtney Crappell will reveal exciting plans for several phases of renovations and expansion of the Conservatory to meet future […]