Happy Monday, Kansas City!
We hope you had a great weekend and are having a fantastic start to your week. These are some of our stories coming from KC right now.
In Today’s Newsletter:
- The Voice’s 2024 Person of the Year Emmet Pierson Jr.
- Melesa Johnson’s historic inauguration
- KCK high school students are making a difference for their peers
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PEOPLE
KC Person of the Year 2024
Community Builders’ president and CEO Emmet Pierson Jr. is The Voice’s 2024 Person of the Year. Pierson is our Person of the Year for his bold leadership in challenging times and continued commitment to economic development and opportunities on KC’s predominantly Black east side.
Learn more about his great efforts
We’ve been enjoying and learning from our Black Trivia events so much, that we decided to let our newsletter members in on the fun with a regular Black Trivia question In our Monday and Friday newsletters.
Question: Which of the following actresses is an EGOT recipient (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony)?
A. Octavia Spencer
B. Whoopi Goldberg
C. Viola Davis
D. Cicely Tyson
*See the answer after “In Other News”*
BLACK HISTORY
Melesa Johnson Sworn in as First Black Jackson County Prosecutor
Melesa Johnson made history this month when she was sworn in as Jackson County, Missouri’s first Black prosecuting attorney in the same courthouse where enslaved people were once sold on its steps.
See photos from the historic day
A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMUNITY VOICE
MLK Jr. Holiday Events
Looking for way to participate in the King Holiday? From banquets, to marches, and concerts, here’s the most complete list of community based events in Wichita, Kansas City, and across Kansas. If you have an event to add to the calendar, click here.
KANSAS CITY NEWS
Cat’s Closet: Students Create In-School Resource Center to Support Peers in Need
In a powerful display of youth leadership and community care, Washington High School students have established an innovative resource center to support fellow students facing economic challenges, Cat’s Closet.
A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMUNITY VOICE
Nominate a Love Couple
How about being one of the featured couples in our 2025 Valentine’s Issue? Or recommend a couple whose relationship you admire. Learn more about the details and nominate somebody. Just click the photo or button below.
RECAP
ICYMI: Kansas City 2024 Year-in-Review
See a complete review from The Voice’s top stories from Kansas City over the entire 2024. Catch up on some news you may have missed!
Fire Devastates LA-Area Historic Black Communities Little attention has been given to the losses in historic Black communities in Los Angeles County. (The Voice)
What’s up with the price of eggs? In case you missed our explanation, here’s a repeat. (The Voice)
Governor Laura Kelly signed an executive order to reform the allocation of federal benefits to foster youth. (The Voice)
*Trivia Answer*: B. Whoopi Goldberg
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