Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion AT BBBSKC

BBBSKC & JEDI Work

OUR STATEMENT AND COMMITMENTS

Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City (BBBSKC) believes that diversity, equity and inclusion are essential parts of our mission to defend potential for kids in our community.  We strive to embrace true representation in our brand, diversity of people and perspectives, and inclusion in all areas of our organization so we can make a generational impact on our community through life-changing friendships.

Click here to view the 2023 JEDI Report

Our commitments and work to-date include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Carrying out our mission of matching Bigs and Littles in long term, life-changing friendships.
• Continue to bridge gaps and bring people of different backgrounds together.
• Supporting Matches with conversations, education, resources, and training from the moment of acceptance into the program until the conclusion of the Match.
• Welcoming and intentionally recruiting volunteers and children of all races, gender identities and sexual orientations into our program.
• Regularly seek out new perspectives on our JEDI efforts through surveys, listening sessions, small groups, etc.
• Intentionally and strategically recruit and promote diverse staff and board members.
• Empower full-time Brand Ambassadors dedicated to cultivating our reputation and relationships in all communities.
• Prioritize working with vendors that are minority and women owned.
• Designate funds to assess, inform, and strengthen our DEI efforts through training, events, and community engagement.
• Partner with our JEDI Board and reaffirm its central role in the work that we do and aspire to do.
• Steward and enhance our staff mentorship program among staff to cultivate talent and create a safe space for all employees to be heard and developed.
• Continue to provide a staff hotline to express concerns safely and confidentially.
• Commit to exceptional representation and inclusion in marketing materials through feedback sessions, inclusive design, and ongoing evaluation.
• Engage in professional, local, and national JEDI programs to learn and evolve as an agency.
• Hold ourselves accountable to make progress, track that progress, and communicate that progress to our staff, board, and community.

If you would like more information on our JEDI strategic plan and JEDI initiatives reach out to any of our executive team members below.

CONTACT INFORMATION OF EXECUTIVE STAFF:

Micheal Lawrence
Chief Executive Officer 816.777.2888

Erica Ostroski
Chief Operating Officer 816.777.2880

Tiffany Stuck
Chief Development Officer 816.777.2872

Kristi Hutchison
Chief Marketing Officer 816.777.2871

Whitney Elyachar
Chief People & Finance Officer 816.777.2585

BBBSKC does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, genetic information or characteristics (or those of a family member), or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.