The Loop KC brings together similar yet unique minds to create genuine friendships and ignite the next generation of business leaders in Kansas City. Members of The Loop KC are required to give back to local non-profit organizations. Learn more about The Loop KC, here.   “I’m fortunate to say that I work for one of […]

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 […]

Kansas City takes pride in the longevity of its major performing-arts groups, and this is as it should be. But sometimes we get so wrapped up in the celebration of a 30th anniversary here, a half-century jubilee there, that we forget that some of our most important organizations are still in the start-up phase. And […]

The Reverend Dr. Ted Pierce of Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church gave the invocation when Welcome House held a Groundbreaking Ceremony on June 23rd for the soon-to-be Welcome House Recovery Center. It will provide temporary shelter for more than 100 men seeking assistance in dealing with substance use disorder. The amenities will include classrooms, offices, a […]

Olivia Belle Kuester and Anthony Kenneth Jacobsen were married on June 4th at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The bride is the daughter of Catherine and Anthony Kuester of Omaha, Nebraska. Her groom is the son of Julie and Richard Jacobsen of Scottsdale, Arizona. The evening prior, the groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner at […]

“The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.” – Sydney J. Harris As we enter the period where students and parents get ready to head back to school, I find myself thinking about education in general. Receiving an education can open minds to new perspectives, and knowledge obtained is (hopefully) gained forever. […]

Join us in our proud send-off to the Class of 2022. We wish the best to these amazing students as they start their exciting journeys around the country this fall!                                  

Kemper Gala 2022: PRISMATIC will be held on October 8th at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. Liz and Greg Maday and Lindsey Patterson Smith and Matt Smith are serving as the honorary co-chairs, and Elizabeth Bennett and Paul Gutiérrez are the co-chairs. The festivities will include delicious cuisine and entertainment, as well as dancing. […]

The Folly Theater has just begun the most extensive renovation project in its history. To celebrate, there was a Groundbreaking Ceremony on June 21st. Among the upcoming attractions are wider seats, an upgraded bar and restrooms on the balcony level, and, in order to help the stars shine, revitalized dressing rooms. Bought your tickets yet […]

Betsy O’Brien joined Lead to Read KC as a reading mentor because she believes, “Time is the biggest gift we can give to a child. By helping students develop early reading skills and gain confidence, we help open doors for their future.” Betsy makes an immeasurable impact with students by taking the time to read […]

Kathy Hunt Woodward (Mrs. Phillip Scott Woodward) was the chairman for The Jewel Ball, a benefit for The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kansas City Symphony. The event was held on June 18th at the Museum. Mary Jane Young Barnes (Mrs. Bryant Page Barnes) was the honorary chairman, with Anne Potter Russ (Mrs. Norbert […]

Bea Attaway Beckman is the new girl in Town! The hazel-eyed brown-haired beauty was born on February 3rd to Jill and Ian Beckman of Mission Woods, Kansas. Bea weighed eight pounds, six ounces, and was 19 and one-half inches long. She joins big sister Molly Deramus Beckman, age six, and big sister Hannah Wagner Beckman, […]

Gene Willis believes in the power of community. He was raised in a neighborhood in Kansas City, Kansas, that fostered his belief in the importance of supporting others, even when resources may have been scarce. Whether volunteering at church, serving as helpers in the food pantry, or assisting with rides to extracurriculars, his family instilled […]