|
The 43rd Annual Gala to honor the Outstanding Kansas Citian! Mayor Kay Barnes The Outstanding Kansas Citian event celebrates more than 83 years of work by NSDKC as it recognizes each year’s honoree. It is a night that members and their guests celebrate ongoing efforts to preserve the city’s rich heritage and to provide the resources for projects that will share Kansas City’s history with future generations. Purchase 2015 DVD |
|
Kay Barnes Former mayor Kay Barnes is certainly a Kansas City history maker! After she took office in 1999, she began the largest citywide increase in construction since the 1970s resulting in our urban renaissance. Her optimism and never give-up attitude resulted in an expanded Bartle Hall, Sprint Center, H&R Block headquarters and the Power & Light district to name a few. We also gained thousands of residential units, new hotels and a continuing demand for more urban housing. Her list of accomplishments is six single-spaced pages! She covered city reforms, promoted diversity, economic development and environmental improvements. Barnes stated that one of the most satisfying parts of being mayor has been energizing citizens who are passionate about Kansas City and want to make it better. This legacy has continued as people are involved with our city more than ever. "All of a sudden, we have new police and fire stations, roads being built, new community centers. A lot of it was her personal conviction that, yes, we can move this city forward." — Mike Burke |
|
Ethnic Enrichment Commission "It is the responsibility and duty of each Ethnic Group to preserve the cultural heritage of their people not only for the benefit of their descendants but also for the enrichment of our entire community." — Ethnic Enrichment Festival Guide Started by Mayor Charlie Wheeler in 1976, The Ethnic Enrichment Commission began with a parade celebrating the many cultures that have contributed to Kansas City. The Ethnic Enrichment Festival has grown from 15 countries in 1976 to 60 countries in 2014 with 35,000 visitors. Every August, Swope Park becomes the place to enjoy food, dancing, music and goods from other countries. Each country operates a booth and there are many activities for children such as face painting and crafts. Where else can you find a geographical mashup with Haiti and Ukraine sharing a space or Greece between Jamaica and India? The aromas of different foods compete for your attention. The Festival is the only place in Kansas City where people can rub elbows with people of the world.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
The Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City