Kansas City’s Urban Neighborhood Initiative (UNI) is set to host its annual fundraiser with a twist on Oct. 10 at Theis Park. The “Recess! Jam Session” promises an evening of R&B music and community support, all for a good cause.
The outdoor concert and fundraiser will feature performances by notable R&B artists:
- Dave Hollister: Former member of Blackstreet, known for their hit song “No Diggity.”
- LeToya Luckett: Original member of Destiny’s Child, who has since launched a successful solo career.
- Carl Thomas: Award-winning R&B artist known for hits like “I Wish” and “Summer Rain.”
The host is Joseph “Jo Blaq” Macklin, a Kansas City native and producer who has worked with artists like Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber.
This is UNI’s third annual fundraiser; the previous two were hosted at the College Basketball Experience inside the T-Mobile Center.
“This year, we decided to switch it up,” said Shalom Jima, UNI’s administrative director. “It’s a cool, fun outdoor concert benefiting Urban Neighborhood Initiative.”
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the concert starts at 7 p.m. General admission tickets are $40, and they offer open lawn seating. VIP tickets, priced at $150, include reserved seating, drink tickets, and food options. Tickets are available at bit.ly/UNIConcert2024.
The event will feature food trucks offering a variety of culinary options. Alcohol will be served, making it a 21-and-over event. For security reasons, a clear bag policy will be in effect.
General admission attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. VIP ticket holders will have access to chairs provided by the event organizers.
“Recess! Jam Session” is a rain-or-shine event. Parking for general admission is on a first-come, first-served basis, while VIP ticket holders will have access to preferred parking areas.
“It’s a perfect thing for people to come to after work,” says Jima. “We’re encouraging people to come right after work. We’re outside, so come as you are. Just come ready to have fun.”
All proceeds will support UNI’s mission to strengthen communities in Kansas City’s urban core.
About Urban Neighborhood Initiative
UNI, established in 2012, takes a holistic approach to community development and is focused on ten neighborhoods on KC’s east side. The organization works to address long-standing issues of disinvestment and neglect in these areas.
“We know that east side has had decades of neglect and under-investments for a long, long time,” says Jima. “We believe that no matter where you live, you should have access to decent community resources, nice housing, and opportunities for your kids.”
Neighborhoods UNI Serves:
- Beacon Hill
- Blue Hills
- Boston Heights / Mount Hope
- Center City
- Ivanhoe
- Key Coalition
- Manheim Park
- Squier Park
- Troostwood
- Wendell Phillips
UNI’s work spans several areas, including housing development, community events, and youth programming.
The organization’s housing and real estate arm focuses on new builds, renovations, and mixed-income housing development. UNI recently purchased an abandoned school off Prospect Avenue, which it plans to develop into a community center. Across the street, the organization will build 39 townhomes called The Crescendo.
UNI also rehabilitates existing homes. For example, last year, they renovated a house on East 24th Terrace in the Wendell Phillips neighborhood and sold it to a first-time homebuyer. UNI also does free minor home repairs and has completed 94 repairs, 30 of which were in 2023 alone.
“A lot of people are on fixed income or lower income, and providing them with reliable, good quality home repair that they don’t have to pay for is vital,” Shalom said.
UNI’s community development arm organizes events and provides resources in the neighborhoods it serves. The organization operates a mobile STEAM lab for youth activities at neighborhood block parties and at local schools, offering before-school, after-school, and in-school programming.
In 2023, UNI served 17,670 individuals across all its programs, including 15,905 youth in five different schools.
“We not only want you to live in a stable home that you can afford, we also want your kids to be able to have good programming, go to good schools, and have that neighborhood be safe,” says Jima.
As for the upcoming “Recess! Jam Session,” Jima hopes it will be a night of “moving and grooving” that brings the community together while raising funds for UNI’s vital work. Tickets are available at bit.ly/UNIConcert2024. For more info about UNI, visit uni-kc.org.
