Kansas City, Mo. — (April 3, 2024) — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City recently organized an impactful two-day event at their Crossroads office on March 13 and 14, 2024. The Men’s and Women’s Black Leader Panel aimed to provide the city’s youth with invaluable insights from local leaders across diverse professional fields, ranging from medicine and finance to business, nonprofit work, and beyond.

The event served as a platform for aspiring young minds to engage directly with influential figures from their community, offering them a glimpse into the journeys, challenges, and triumphs of successful professionals of color. Through key note speakers and 1-1 mentoring sessions, attendees were inspired and equipped with practical knowledge and motivation to pursue their dreams.

“I had no idea the career field I’m in existed or was an option for me when I was that age so to be able to share this possibility with so many young men with bright futures ahead of them was an amazing experience,” noted Dave Gardner, with Children’s Mercy, one of the esteemed speakers. “I’m a firm believer that it takes a village to raise and empower the next generation, and I am glad that Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City allowed me to contribute to that for some of these young men. I hope I was able to open someone’s eyes to the world of healthcare administration by being a representation of one of the many paths they can choose from.“

“My Little Sister had the best time at the Black Leadership Panel. It was amazing watching her confidence grow as she talked to each panelist,” stated Maddy Trofholz, Big Sister to Je’Briya, age 14. By the end of the event, she was starting conversations on her own, smiling from ear to ear, and becoming more and more excited about what her career path could look like.”

In addition to fostering meaningful connections and dialogue, the event underscored Big Brothers Big Sisters’ ongoing commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Kansas City community.