Celebrating Black History Past Black History Month

Connext: Emerging Nonprofit Leaders is the young professionals networking group underneath the Nonprofit Connect umbrella. Connext promotes the recruitment, development and retention of young professionals in the nonprofit sector to support and enhance a strong, dynamic nonprofit community. Learn more about Connext.

February has passed bringing Black History Month to a close. However, celebrating Black history and culture lasts all year long. During February, Connext hosted a virtual coffee talk and a virtual happy hour with conversation dedicated to Black History Month led by local community leaders.

Each session yielded wonderful and challenging conversations ranging from how to celebrate Black History Month in the office, to understanding the impact of Black culture, and how individuals can make meaningful change in their offices and communities.

With the help of our conversation leaders and attendees, we’ve compiled some resources to help you research, understand, and continue to celebrate Black history throughout the year.

Websites & Articles:

• NMAAHC Announces Digital Black History Month Events from Smithsonian Magazine
• REACH Announces New Initiative Highlight Black-Led Organizations from REACH Healthcare Foundation
• Black History Month resources compiled by Rockhurst
• Celebrating Black History Month with the KC Streetcar from Downtown KC

Local Organizations:

• Pick Progress Project
• Kansas City G.I.F.T.
• Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
• KC Friends of Alvin Ailey
• Urban League of Kansas City
• Showing Up for Racial Justice - KC
• The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City

We want to extend a huge thank you to our wonderful conversation leaders Brandon Calloway with G.I.F.T., Ray Doswell with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Chandler Johnson with Pick Progress Project, Krishna Lee with the Kansas City, MO Parks & Recreation, Melanie Miller with the KC Friends of Alvin Ailey, Council Woman Ryana Parks-Shaw, and Willy Pegues IV with McCownGordon Construction.

Special thanks to the support from our Connext Series Sponsors, M&C and Helzberg School of Management at Rockhurst University.