×
Subscribe

Subscribe Today

26 Issues

In addition to receiving 26 issues of The Independent Kansas City’s Journal of Society, your subscription will include our annual publication, the Charitable Events Calendar and a subscription to our e-newsletter, The Insider. Questions about your current subscription? Contact Laura Gabriel at 816-471-2800.

TRAILBLAZING: National Congress of Black Women – Kansas City Chapter

Sylvya Stevenson founded the National Congress of Black Women–Kansas City Chapter in 2013; it is an affiliate of the National Congress of Black Women, which was founded by the late Representative Shirley Chisholm, who was the first Black woman to be elected to The United States Congress. The organization offers affordable memberships for Black women and girls ages 13 and older, provides year-round voter registration, partners with other groups to do outreach to voters and potential voters, and makes scholarships available to high school seniors, college students, and adults. Two signature events are held each year: the Annual Women and Girls Torch Carriers Conference and the Annual Scholarship and Awards Black Tie Gala. The Conference is a community event featuring opportunities to hear from community leaders and to learn about a variety of topics including education and career training. The Black Tie Gala is a celebration of the organization’s anniversary – 2023 marks 10 years – and is its primary fundraising event. As Sylvya Stevenson noted, “Membership exposes women and girls to community engagement activities and creates a sisterhood.” Volunteers are encouraged to become Friends of NCBW by signing up as corporate sponsors or individual sponsors.   

Kathryn Bell, treasurer; Layla Swanson, youth member; Erika Taylor, Brenda Baker, historian; and RaeShaun Williams

 

Janae Swanson, recording secretary; Shirley Stevenson, founding member; Sakeena Abdul-Haqq, Sylvya Stevenson, founder, chief executive officer, and president; City Council Member Ryana Parks-Shaw, Shekita Robinson, and Celeste Chaney-Tucker, vice president 

 

Scholarship Recipients: Bertha Hampton, Donnelly College; Zuri Primos, Lincoln College Preparatory Academy; Ofelia Luna, East High School/Metropolitan Community College, Kansas City; Lydia McReynolds, The Pembroke Hill School; and MarKili Leavy, Central High School 

Featured in the March 18, 2023 issue of The Independent.
Learn more at NCBWKansasCity.org.

Features

War Horses For Veterans – The Derby Party

War Horses for Veterans, founded by Andy and Patricia Brown, held its third annual fundraiser, The Derby Party, on May 4th. More than 400 guests watched the Kentucky Derby race…

Symphony League of Kansas City – Spring Luncheon

Lidia’s was the lovely location for the Symphony League of Kansas City’s annual Spring Luncheon on May 8th. Mandy Burditt and Trish Mayer were the co-chairmen. Nearly 60 members and…

Symphony League of Kansas City – Ball Kickoff

Symphony League members gathered at Amy Volini’s beautiful home recently to kick off preparations for the 2024 Symphony Ball, “NOVA.”Amy and Julie Sykes hosted the fun event, where Ball Chairman…

Saint Luke’s Foundation – Spirit of Philanthropy Awards

In the spirit of gratitude, Saint Luke’s Foundation hosted its Spirit of Philanthropy Awards celebration on April 18th at the 1900 Building. Being honored this year are: Philanthropists of the…