At The Beacon, we believe journalism is part of our civic infrastructure.
That means we are not just here to report. We are here to help people understand how decisions are made, how systems work and how they can engage. And to do that well, we have to stay connected to the people and institutions shaping this region.
That is why I applied to Kansas City Tomorrow. It is a leadership program run by the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City that brings together people from business, government, nonprofits and other sectors to dive deep into the big issues facing the region: housing, workforce, public health, education, regional growth and more. I was honored to be selected for the 47th class through a competitive application process.
The timing could not be better.
This fall, The Beacon is launching two major initiatives:
- Our Documenters program, which will train and pay residents to attend public meetings and help build a stronger civic record.
- A new reporting beat focused on workforce and economic impact, because access to opportunity is one of the most important stories in Kansas City right now.
We are trying to build a future where local journalism is connected, trusted and part of the solution. That kind of work requires context, collaboration and strong relationships. Kansas City Tomorrow is a space where I can build all three and bring what I learn back to the newsroom.
There are 30 people in this year’s cohort. You can meet the full class here. I am already learning from them, and I know this experience will make me a stronger leader with a deeper understanding of how to drive change.
Thank you to the Civic Council and to Kiva Donahue, Consuelo Ross, Dr. Cokethea Hill and Judge Jon Gray for making space for this kind of leadership to grow.
