kansas citians united for educational achievement -- airick leonard west

EXPERIENCE

While I have extensive leadership experience in a number of areas, the following are a sampling of just my recent youth development and financial management leadership roles.

University of Missouri Extension - www.extension.missouri.edu
MU Extension is responsible for ensuring that research and resources from the University of Missouri system (UMKC, UM Rolla, MU etc) are allocated to benefit all Missourians. Extension performs this function by working closely with many branches of the University of Missouri system as well as by sponsoring many organizations that work in the community. Extension's flagship programs include 4H and the Master Gardner's program. I currently serve as chair of the board of directors.
KCMO -- Public Improvements Advisory Committee - www.kcmo.org/PIAC/
The Public Improvements Advisory Committee (PIAC) consists of 13 persons, two from each council district and a chairperson, appointed by the Mayor and City Council. The PIAC's primary function is to solicit citizen input and make recommendations regarding both the citywide and neighborhood portions of the capital budget. The PIAC holds a series of public hearings beginning in early summer. These hearings provide citizens with an opportunity to express their opinions, concerns and project requests regarding the forthcoming capital budget. This committee finishes its year by submitting its balanced five-year capital improvements program and neighborhood recommendations in late November. PIAC funds comprise 15-25% of KCMO's annual $1B budget (last year PIAC allocated over $220M); these funds come largely from a one cent sales tax for capital improvements. I served as a 3rd Council District appointee to the Public Improvements Advisory Committee.
KCMSD -- Fairview Middle SAC (School Advisory Committee) - www.kcmsd.net
The KCMSD, working in partnership with parents and the community, will produce students who have the knowledge, skills and abilities to develop the necessary attitude to become life-long learners with capacity for leadership and service. Students enrolled in the KCMSD will be productive and responsible citizens capable of successfully competing in a changing global society. I served as a parent chair for the Fairview SAC.
Gordon Parks Elementary - www.gordonparks.org
Gordon Parks, a non-profit public charter school, was established to educate urban-core children. Gordon Parks, the famed African-American photographer, writer, poet, composer, painter and filmmaker gave his name to the school because he believed in its mission. Gordon Parks Elementary is a small family-like school for urban core children. It features first hand experiences, has a curriculum rich in art, music, and physical education. It strives to maintain, involve and strengthen its community of families. I served as a member of the Board of Governors.
KCMO -- Neighborhood Tourism Development Fund Board - www.kcmo.org/NTDF/
The Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund (NTDF) Program was designed to help local not-for-profit organizations for the specific purpose of promoting neighborhoods in Kansas City through cultural, social, ethnic, historic, educational and recreational activities. Additionally, the fund was established to help promote our city as a convention and tourist center. NTDF's annual allocating budget is near $2M; these funds are generated by collecting 10% of KCMO's convention and tourism tax. I served as a 3rd Council District appointee to the Neighborhood Tourism Development Fund Board.
Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council - www.incthrives.org
The Mission of the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council is building clean, beautiful, safe thriving neighborhoods for healthy families and youth through trusting, cooperative relationships. The Vision of the org`anization is Thriving neighborhoods in harmony. To realize the Mission and Vision of the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council, the organization is implementing a strategic plan to beautify the neighborhood, to reduce crime, to promote youth development, and to foster economic development. I served as Chair of the Beautification Committee, as vice-chair of the Administration & Finance Committee and as Chair of the Redevelopment and Urban Planning Committee. I currently serve as treasurer of the board of directors
HarmonyNCCJ - www.kcharmony.org
Harmony is a resource and catalyst in and for the metropolitan Kansas City community to improve race relations, increase appreciation for cultural diversity, and eliminate intolerance. I currently serve as a volunteer facilitator, speaker and program director on issues of racism, sexism, heterosexism and classism.
Black Archives of Mid-America - www.blackarchives.org
The mission of the Black Archives has been to collect and preserve the evidence of the accomplishments of Blacks and to use our collections and related ideas to contribute to human knowledge and understanding by making our collections available for research, education, and exhibition; to collaborate with other museums, cultural and educational institutions to solve common problems and to serve our constituencies more effectively; and to take an active role in sharing the public image of museums by modernizing the stereotypes and turning individual private collections into broad public awareness and support of our mission and program. I am humbled and honored to join the newly reconstituted board of directors put in place by Missouri's attorney general. I currently serve as vice-chair of the board of directors.
Blue Hills/Ivanhoe TIF Advisory Committee - www.edckc.com
Blue Hills and Ivanhoe have been added as a benefit area to the Southtown TIF. The third amendment that extended benefits to Blue Hills and Ivanhoe draws on TIF revenue from multiple HCA projects sites. The neighborhoods will receive $500k each year between 2007 and 2017. These dollars will be used to create housing programs similar to the efforts connected with the Midtown TIF. The Advisory Committee is responsible for establishing the program design and grant guidelines. I currently serve as chair.
Smiles Change Lives - www.smileschangelives.org
Some children never smile. Because they can’t. Because they won’t. Because it hurts. Smiles Change Lives provides for these children by engaging community partners to provide orthodontic care for low income youth suffering from severe oral deformities. Children with poor oral health and disfigurements encounter tremendous social and economic discrimination, as well as a much higher risk for serious diseases. Research connects poor oral health with diabetes, stroke, heart disease and pancreatic cancer. Young people who endure daily ridicule from their peers are more likely to withdraw socially and academically, limiting their future success in the classroom. A healthy smile should not be a privilege. We’re changing lives, one smile at a time. I currently serve as a member of the local advisory board.
Simply Equine Assisted Therapy - www.simplyequine.org
Simply Equine Assisted Therapy is a not-for-profit organization utilizing horses to influence young people in their way of thinking and reacting. Horses -- large, unpredictable and sometimes intimidating just by their presence -- can provide a natural opportunity for young people to overcome fear and self-confidence issues. Simply Equine exists to to facilitiate personal growth and learning through equestrian activities. I served as vice-chair of the board of directors and co-chair of the capital campaign.
LULAC National Education Service Center - www.lnesc.org
In an effort to create lifelong learners and leaders within the Hispanic community, the League of United Latino American Citizen's National Education Service Centers strive to provide the highest quality educational opportunities possible. LNESC seeks to develop America's future workforce by effectively preparing young people for the jobs of the new economy. I served as a member of the local board of directors.
Stephanie Waterman Foundation - www.watermantennis.org
The Stephanie Waterman Foundation works with disadvantaged inner city youth ages 7-14 to improve their physical, intellectual and social skills. Programming includes tennis lessons, regular tutoring and testing, and meeting with mentors. The purpose of these activities is to nurture the values of discipline, self improvement and emotional control. Youth are encouraged to enhance their tennis abilities while pursing collegiate opportunities. I served as a member of the Board of Directors and as chair of the planning committee.
Morning Star Community Development Corporation
Morning Star CDC is the development arm of Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, a faith community that has served Kansas City's urban core for nearly 80 years. Morning Star CDC is currently working to develop housing opportunities for seniors and a youth and family life center at the troubled corner of 27th & Prospect. I served as a member of the board of directors and as chair of the community relations committee.