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 […]

Truman Library Institute’s 24th annual Wild About Harry was held on April 20th. More than 1,000 guests gathered in-person and live streamed the event. Leigh and Tyler Nottberg were the event chairs, and Ursula Terrasi and Jim Miller served as the honorary chairs. Featured guests of the evening were Keynote Speaker Doris Kearns Goodwin, author […]

“A woman whose health was broken, whose affairs were in disorder, and whose courage was spent, was led to play a kind of game with words. At first she used it as a game to occupy her time and mind. She took a thesaurus and wrote down all the synonyms of ‘courage’ that she could […]

For more than 16 years, Erik Bergrud and Kimberlee Ried have been loyal supporters of MOCSA. They have served as community support committee chairs and are members of the organization’s Giving Circle. These enthusiastic donors shared, “We are honored to support MOCSA, whose activities and programs improve individuals’ lives, elevate awareness of sexual abuse and […]

The first weekend in June was a busy time at the Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden at Jacob L. Loose Park! On June 4th, the Kansas City Rose Society hosted its annual Rose Day. Taylor Smith was the event chair. Guests at the free event enjoyed performances by Bach Aria Soloists and Heart of  […]

Love was in the air for nearly 500 guests who gathered to celebrate the inaugural fundraiser, Leading with Love, to support the Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy. The June 15th event was held at Loews Kansas City Hotel and featured remarks from Ann Tisch, founder of the young women’s leadership network schools; Christine Kemper, founder […]

Mission Hills Country Club was the site for The Jewel Ball Gentlemen’s Serenade. The lovely event was held on June 4th, much to the delight of the Gents’ mothers and grandmothers and special guests. With sweet introductions and some well-performed songs, the day was a hit, thanks to Serenade Chairman Dan Bolen and Serenade Co-chairman […]

Ryan Banes has been involved with Lead to Read KC since 2018. In that time, he has been a reading mentor at three different schools: Brookside Charter School, Crossroads Academy – Quality Hill, and Indian Creek Elementary School. Ryan knows that mentoring makes a difference. That’s not all – he also serves as the fundraising […]

Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City recently held its much-anticipated Legacy Invitational Golf Tournament. With a gift salon, chair massages, a gourmet breakfast, a cigar emporium, on-course challenges, lunch, and much more, this was a successful and very fun way to support BBBSKC.          Featured in the July 22, 2023 issue of […]

The 25-year tenure of Kansas City Ballet Executive Director Jeffrey Bentley was celebrated in style on May 22nd. The Kansas City Ballet hosted a soiree in his honor at the Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity. Board President CiCi Rojas congratulated Jeffrey and presented a special tribute video highlighting his noteworthy career. Board Chairman […]

The Country Club at Loch Lloyd was the site for Alphapointe’s annual C&C Group Alphapointe Pro-Am tournament on June 5th. More than 160 golfers enjoyed the challenging course, an auction, bites, and beverages. Proceeds support youth experiencing vision loss to access, with confidence, a variety of programs, including two summer camps, art programs, and culinary […]

Brian Williams opened the garden of his lovely home for the ninth annual Eat, Drink, and Be Jolly for the Folly. The Ben Tervort Trio was on hand to play jazz. Picnic baskets featuring fried chicken were a hit with the guests. Proceeds are designated to go to the Folly Theater’s general operations fund, which […]

The impact of a book can often be gauged by the number and variety of adaptations it spawns. Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women was published more than 150 years ago, but it continues to feel like an archetypal portrait of at least one kind of American family. The Civil War-era tale of the struggling March […]

Kansas City shines brighter with each passing year, thanks to the spirit of individuals who devote themselves to making a positive impact. Within this constellation of changemakers is William Block, an exceptional volunteer whose philanthropic endeavors have earned him a well-deserved place among The Independent’s 2023 Class of Rising Stars. Will, as he prefers to […]

Cooper Frank McKee was born on March 28th. He is the son of Lisa and Kelly McKee of Los Angeles, California. Cooper’s older brother is Peter McKee, who is two and one-half years old. The darling baby boy weighed seven pounds, four ounces, and was 19 inches long at birth. Cooper has brown hair and […]