The Forum

The Blood, Guts and Soul of Richard G. Tripp—a storyteller and motivational speaker who has directed, developed, and grown Care of Poor People, Inc., so effectively that he now asks us to “please underestimate” him. The organization continues and Mr. …

The Blood, Guts and Soul of Richard G. Tripp—a storyteller and motivational speaker who has directed, developed, and grown Care of Poor People, Inc., so effectively that he now asks us to “please underestimate” him. The organization continues and Mr. Tripp is expanding his efforts for homeless people to developing a Kansas City Homeless Newspaper.

May is National Bike Month—time to get on bikes! Revolve is a non-profit that believes the bicycle is the simple solution for healthy lifestyle and affordable, earth-friendly transportation. It has a community bike shop at 5100 Troost run by co-founder …

May is National Bike Month—time to get on bikes! Revolve is a non-profit that believes the bicycle is the simple solution for healthy lifestyle and affordable, earth-friendly transportation. It has a community bike shop at 5100 Troost run by co-founder Elizabeth Bejan and sponsors programs to help provide bikes to persons of all ages.

Dr. Edlavitch, Professor of Epidemiology in Psychiatry at UMKC School of Medicine, in collaboration with Drs. Fred Newman and Bill Geis, has established links between negative thought patterns (like hopelessness and sense of failure) and clinical symptoms as indicators of …

Dr. Edlavitch, Professor of Epidemiology in Psychiatry at UMKC School of Medicine, in collaboration with Drs. Fred Newman and Bill Geis, has established links between negative thought patterns (like hopelessness and sense of failure) and clinical symptoms as indicators of acute suicide risk.  This can guide not only health care professionals but also friends of […]

We can overturn the austerity myth.  The American Friends Service Committee’s Move the Money Listening Project heard from 46 community leaders discussing community needs, budgeting and tax cutting, military spending and better priorities for our community.  Ira Harritt will highlight …

We can overturn the austerity myth.  The American Friends Service Committee’s Move the Money Listening Project heard from 46 community leaders discussing community needs, budgeting and tax cutting, military spending and better priorities for our community.  Ira Harritt will highlight the project’s finds and discuss ways we can shift the debate from austerity to investing […]

“…where all the women are strong…, and all the children are above average,” says Minnesota humorist Garrison Keillor.  The preference to see our kin as “above average” can subtly create a need to point to the “below average.”  Bill Mullins, …

“…where all the women are strong…, and all the children are above average,” says Minnesota humorist Garrison Keillor.  The preference to see our kin as “above average” can subtly create a need to point to the “below average.”  Bill Mullins, Regional Community Advocate, reflects upon a recent MARC Education Report.

Trauma and adversity exposure disrupts most urban school systems. Trauma Sensitive Schooling prepares an entire school to counter the disruption. Beth Sarver, who coordinates Truman Medical Center’s Resilience Incubator, describes the trauma spectrum and how mindful teaching and learning harness …

Trauma and adversity exposure disrupts most urban school systems. Trauma Sensitive Schooling prepares an entire school to counter the disruption. Beth Sarver, who coordinates Truman Medical Center’s Resilience Incubator, describes the trauma spectrum and how mindful teaching and learning harness the native resilience in all of us.

Cities across the country are laying off municipal workers to contract with private, for-profit firms to furnish municipal services, encouraged by the American Legislative Exchange Council and others such as the Heritage Foundation. Water service, ambulance billing, jails, and building …

Cities across the country are laying off municipal workers to contract with private, for-profit firms to furnish municipal services, encouraged by the American Legislative Exchange Council and others such as the Heritage Foundation. Water service, ambulance billing, jails, and building and event security are examples. Kansas City Councilman John Sharp, a frequent critic of privatization, […]

On March 12, American Friends Service Committee released a report based on their listening sessions at an event at the KCMO Health Department to stimulate more debate and dialogue about budget and revenue policy and to organize community action. They …

On March 12, American Friends Service Committee released a report based on their listening sessions at an event at the KCMO Health Department to stimulate more debate and dialogue about budget and revenue policy and to organize community action. They began the project focusing on the Federal budget but as they held listening sessions, they […]

Community participation in public art contributes to the identity of a city. A varied public art collection inspires dialogue, provides visual appeal and symbolizes the vitality of its city. Porter Arneill, director/public art administrator for the Kansas City Municipal Art …

Community participation in public art contributes to the identity of a city. A varied public art collection inspires dialogue, provides visual appeal and symbolizes the vitality of its city. Porter Arneill, director/public art administrator for the Kansas City Municipal Art Commission, discusses the complex, beneficial, and sometimes contentious role that art plays in the public […]

One Struggle KC is a coalition of activists seeking to harness the energy of Ferguson, Mo. to connect the struggles of many communities. They are engaging the KC community in conversation on how all oppression is linked, to build solidarity and fight …

One Struggle KC is a coalition of activists seeking to harness the energy of Ferguson, Mo. to connect the struggles of many communities. They are engaging the KC community in conversation on how all oppression is linked, to build solidarity and fight oppression together.

Michael Duffy, Chair of the KC Redevelopment Authority, will discuss these controversial decisions and the “border war” with Kansas.  Do the tax breaks work, and can the system be reformed to be more fair?

Michael Duffy, Chair of the KC Redevelopment Authority, will discuss these controversial decisions and the “border war” with Kansas.  Do the tax breaks work, and can the system be reformed to be more fair?

Imagine midtown Kansas City with a vibrant cultural district with enhanced public spaces in neighborhoods and institutions. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is working to help develop such a plan and is inviting the community to take part in envisioning possibilities. Catherine …

Imagine midtown Kansas City with a vibrant cultural district with enhanced public spaces in neighborhoods and institutions. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is working to help develop such a plan and is inviting the community to take part in envisioning possibilities. Catherine Futter is the Uhlmann Senior Curator of Architecture, Design and Decorative Arts for the Museum.

Following a quarter century tradition, Mayor of Kansas City Sly James will deliver his annual State of the City address.  He will review the City’s accomplishments and challenges over the past year, and his priorities and expectations for the coming …