SAVE, Inc. was founded in 1986 as a response to the AIDS epidemic. When largely the gay male population was being affected by the disease, a group of volunteers founded SAVE Home. It was the first AIDS-specific hospice in the state of Missouri, and provided people who had lost everything due to the stigma around […]

Our Spot KC was founded by Starzette Palmer in 2016. Its mission is to provide safe, accepting, and affirming programming, services, and resources to empower the LGBTQ+ community. The organization provides advocacy, basic needs, crisis response, training/technical assistance, and housing. Our Spot KC’s housing program, Lion House, features emergency shelter, transitional housing, and rapid re-housing […]

Modern Family Alliance was founded in 2002 by Lynn Barnett, Cathy Hiersteiner, Lisa Fogle, Angela Metzger Degnon, and Gina Barnett. Its mission involves supporting LGBTQ+ parents and their children through events, resources, and education and fostering a community that is inclusive of all families. In 2005, the organization began hosting quarterly events, such as community […]

The Mid America Freedom Band was founded by Alan Day and Zachary Parker in 2001. It is now in its 20th season. During that time, it has grown from 14 musicians to more than 80. It currently operates three component ensembles: a full concert band, a jazz band known as the Mighty Mo Jazz Orchestra, […]

“Our Chamber is uniquely poised at the nexus of business, advocacy, and the LGBTQ+ community. We provide many of the same services other area Chambers of Commerce provide, with the added focus of creating an inclusive and equitable business environment for our businesses and their employees,” said Suzanne Wheeler, who founded the organization in 2012. […]

The Kansas City Rainbow Tour is a self-guided, app-narrated history of Kansas City’s rich LGBTQ+ past. The driving tour is the creation of Joel Barrett and is presented by Joel Speaks Out. A launch party was held on June 3rd at the Kansas City Museum. The Tour takes approximately one hour. It begins near the […]

Heartland Men’s Chorus Kansas City was founded in 1986. The organization’s mission is to build community, celebrate pride, and empower authenticity. “The Heartland Men’s Chorus Kansas City’s vision is singing to inspire a world of love and acceptance. We are at the forefront of the LGBTQ performing arts movement,” said Mitch Weber, HMCKC. He added, […]

Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City was founded in 1979 by Mary and John Pritchard, along with members of a board of directors. Since then, the organization has built or renovated more than 800 homes in six counties in Missouri and Kansas. Its programs include Pride Build, which supports members of the LGBTQ+ community by […]

The Coterie Theatre was founded in 1979 by Judith Yeckel and Vicky Lee. Its mission is to provide professional classic and contemporary theatre which challenges audience and artist and provides educational, dramatic outreach programs in the community. It seeks to open communication between races, genders, and generations by redefining children’s theatre to include families and […]

BlaqOut was founded in 2017 by D. Rashaan Gilmore. Its mission is to create a community where Black people of queer and trans experience and their allies are connected and supported, have access to equitable healthcare and safe spaces, and enjoy sufficient resources to help them thrive. By focusing its efforts on improving healthcare and […]

The Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center was the site for the 17th annual Dancing with the Kansas City Stars, a benefit for Cristo Rey High School. Cathy and Chip Toth served as the honorary chairs for the event, which was held on March 25th. Sarah Walsh and Christy Hartner were the event co-chairs. […]

The YMCA of Greater Kansas City’s 15th annual Challenge Your Fashion event was held on April 22nd at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Shannon and Brent Johnson were the event chairs. Partygoers enjoyed a fabulous fashion show, where local professional athletes and YMCA Challenger athletes ruled the runway. The event also […]

The Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center was the site for the annual Lyric Opera Ball, hosted by the Lyric Opera Circle. This year’s event, which was held on April 1st, had the theme “Celebrating Sondheim – ‘Send in the Clowns.’” Drs. Karla and Ivan Batlle served as the honorary chairmen. Edie Downing and […]

The Jewel Ball Chairmen’s Coffee took place at The Kansas City Country Club on April 12th. This year’s Jewel Ball will be held on June 17th at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Joan Marsh is serving as the honorary chairman, and Anne Russ is the chairman.      Featured in the May 27, 2023 issue […]

The 10th annual Brew for Books, a benefit for The Family Conservancy, was held on April 26th at Boulevard Brewing Company. Guests donated books for children from infants to five-years-olds, and celebrated early brain development and literacy. Ryan Triggs was the featured performer. There was an auction and also yard games.          […]

Children’s Mercy formally invested five endowed faculty positions at the 2023 Investiture Ceremony on April 19th. The honorees were Dr. Aliessa P. Barnes, The Melva and Randall L. O’Donnell Chair in Pediatric Cardiology; Dr. Steven Olsen, Swatek Family Endowed Chair in Neonatology; Dr. Jon Wagner, Matson Family Endowed Professorship in Cardiology Research; Dr. Norman Y. […]

April 20th was the date for Jackson County CASA’s Light of Hope Breakfast, which was held at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. CASA was founded in 1983 by the Kansas City Chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women, and the event celebrated the organization’s 40th anniversary. The honorary chair was Jeff […]

The 27th annual Kids Night Out, a benefit for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City, was held on April 15th at the Overland Park Convention Center. Mary Jane and Michael Judy served as the honorary chairs, and Andy Burczyk, board member, was the chair. The program featured a message from Sanay C., Missouri […]

April 19th was the date for the Women’s Committee for the UMKC Conservatory’s True Blue Spring Luncheon, which was held at Indian Hills Country Club. The event chairman was Michele Hamlett-Weith. Bonnie Chaney serves as the organization’s president. Dr. Alison DeSimone, associate professor of musicology, UMKC Conservatory, introduced the student programs. Guests enjoyed a delicious […]

Mara Khanna is a student at Kansas City Ballet School. She will attend New York University this fall, and she intends to study ballet and psychology. Rochester, Minnesota, is Mara’s hometown. During her time in Our Town, she has taken online classes with BlueSky in Minnesota. Mara has appeared in student roles in Kansas City […]

With family from Tokyo, Japan, Sergeant Stephen Stroder of the North Patrol Division of the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department speaks some Japanese, and taught English in Japan for three and one-half years. Stephen is proud of his Japanese heritage. He has a degree in history from UMKC, is the father of three grown daughters, […]