philanthropy resume airick leonard west biography portfolio


the hallmark of the wise visionary is willingness to serve.
the unwise cultivate weakness in those around them.
the wise cultivate strength in those around them.
  • kansas city, missouri school district - www.kcmsd.net
    The mission of the kansas city, missouri school district is this: 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.

    As an elected At-Large representative of the KCMO School District, I am committed to furthering the district's mission of creating educational achievement for all students. The citizens of KCMO School District voted me into a four year term on the board of education.

  • 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 currently serve as treasurer of the board of directors, as Chair of the Beautification Committee, as vice-chair of the Administration & Finance Committee and as Chair of the Redevelopment and Urban Planning Committee.

  • 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.

  • ReDiscover - www.rediscovermh.org
    For almost 35 years, ReDiscover has been providing community mental health and substance abuse services -- first as Southeast Jackson County Mental Health Center, then as Community Mental Health Center-South, most recently as Research Mental Health Services (as a part of the Health Midwest system), and now as ReDiscover. We serve more than 6000 people a year through our direct services, and thousands more through our community education services -- working with schools and other community agencies to prevent drug and alcohol abuse and childhood sexual abuse. I currently serve as a member of the board of directors.

  • Simply Equine Assisted Therapy - www.simplyequine.org
    Simply Equine Assisted Therapy is a not-for-profit organization utilizing horses to influence people in their way of thinking and reacting. Horses -- large, unpredictable and sometimes intimidating just by their presence -- can provide a natural opportunity for people to overcome fear and self-confidence issues. Simply Equine exists to to facilitiate personal growth and learning through equestrian activities. I currently serve 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 currently serve as a member of the local board of directors.

  • Urban Society of Kansas City - www.urbansocietykc.org
    The Urban Society of Kansas City promotes excellence in several crucial areas for making a great city: urban design, architecture, effecient government and grassroots economic development. The organization promotes vigorous public debate on selected issues and undertakes special projects to better the city. Its members are dedicated to being informed concerning such issues and active in helping the city make strides, both large and small. I currently serve as a member of the Board of Directors and as a member of the Executive 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 currently serve as a member of the board of directors and as chair of the community relations committee.

    i am very interested in sponsoring charitable organizations with credible purpose. the ideal organization's purpose combines youth, entrepreneurship or education with real estate, healthcare, financial services or technology. i prefer to work on projects that involve several of these areas.

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