The Beacon heard from community leaders  who gathered at Union Station on April 9 to explore pressing issues facing Kansas City.

The 2025 C3 Conference, hosted by the Junior League of Kansas City focused on five key themes — equity and access, community empowerment, education and workforce development, and urban development — unified by a call for inclusive, community-driven solutions.

From housing shortages and health care inequities to workforce inclusion and neighborhood revitalization, speakers emphasized the power of collaboration, representation, and long-term commitment to create a more just and connected Kansas City.

Here are summaries from conference sessions:

Equity and Access

Sessions like “Homegrown Talent Pipelines,” “Opening Doors to Home Ownership,” “Access to Health Care,” and “Preventing Displacement” focused on removing systemic barriers that prevent people — especially those in under-resourced communities — from accessing opportunities, services and stable housing.

Speakers at the homegrown talent pipeline session emphasized the power of early exposure to careers, dismantling stereotypes and showing students they can achieve success—even in fields they’ve never seen firsthand. Stories from panelists highlighted the transformative impact of representation, mentorship and goal-setting. The session also addressed the importance of incentivizing volunteerism and fostering a culture of giving back among professionals.

Opening Doors to Homeownership

Local housing experts estimate that the Kansas City area is about 29,000 units short of meeting demand. Across Missouri and Kansas, that number soars to an estimated 175,000 units.

The shortage is being exacerbated by several factors:

• Housing costs are rising faster than incomes. In Kansas City, would-be buyers now need to earn at least $79,000 annually to afford a house.

• All-cash real estate investors are snapping up potential starter homes for first-time buyers and converting them into rentals.

• There is a serious shortage of contractors, subcontractors and laborers in the homebuilding crafts to help increase supply.

• The cost of materials also is soaring, and are poised to rise even more with the Trump administration’s proposed tariffs on imported goods.

Tariffs are “a real threat,” said Brennan Crawford, executive director and CEO with Community Housing of Wyandotte County.

An estimated 46% of renters in the Kansas City area are now considered “cost-burdened,” meaning they pay more than 30% of their income just on housing. Notably, a higher percentage of people of color are cost-burdened than whites.

“Housing has to be an integral part of what we invest in,” said John Tramel, an impact strategist in the Place Purpose area at the Health Forward Foundation. He noted that homeowners have measurably better health outcomes than renters.

Access to health care

Despite leading the world in health care spending, the U.S. continues to see poor health outcomes — a gap that calls for bold innovation, said Swope Health’s Dr. Naiomi Jamal during a session on health care access.

Panelists emphasized the importance of addressing social determinants like housing and food insecurity to improve overall health. Dr. Alexander Norbash of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine urged providers to think entrepreneurially and warned that cuts to National Institutes of Health funding could stall medical progress. Jessica Lynn McClellan of Giving Hope & Help highlighted how raising awareness around issues like period poverty is also key to expanding access and equity in care.

Community Empowerment and Collaboration

Sessions on “Shared accountability” and “Cultivating Connection and Community” highlighted the importance of working together

 — across sectors and communities — to create safer, more connected and inclusive environments.

Public safety was a prominent topic the day after Kansas City voters approved a sales tax to fund a new city jail. But all three panelists at the shared accountability session focused on ways to improve public safety before incarceration.

Sean O’Byrne, the executive director of the Downtown and River Market Community Improvement Districts, talked about some of the issues with homelessness around the central city.

One of the biggest problems, he said, was that community services are scattered across town in a way that makes it difficult for homeless people to get their needs met. Overnight services are located towards eastern downtown, whereas food and necessities are to the west.

“Not only does Kansas City have a homelessness issue, we’re the only city that puts them in a parade,” he said. “It’s a mile and a half each way to get those basic services.” 

The other two panelists spoke about ways to reduce crime by addressing poverty, education and building community.

Raquel McCommon runs the Center for Conflict Resolution and said anger management courses, mediations and restorative justice circles are a way to build a better sense of accountability.

If people can learn to take responsibility for their actions, that can lead to a real behavior change, McCommon said.

Johnny Waller Jr. agreed. He’s a strategic advisor for Uncornered, and he’s a former gang member who has spent time in prison and been involved in violent crime. He now shares his story about how he transformed his life and ended up on a better path.

He said it’s critical for younger people to build stronger emotional skills to get control over their impulses.

“People don’t think. They react very emotionally, and then in a split second, that’s what it is,” he said. “When I was in the hood, we never learned to agree to disagree.”

Beyond that, he said if Kansas City wants to get a handle on crime and safety, fighting poverty and building a stronger education system need to be a priority.

A powerful conversation on cultivating connection and community in the workplace explored the growing epidemic of loneliness—especially among young adults—and the barriers that keep people disconnected even in group settings, even after the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Panelists emphasized that connection starts with awareness, vulnerability and intentional action. From redefining what healthy relationships look like to creating micro-moments of connection in remote workspaces, the session challenged companies and professionals to rethink how they foster belonging. 

Whether it’s showing up early to virtual meetings or reimagining physical spaces to encourage neighborly interaction. The takeaway was clear: building connection takes effort, empathy, and a willingness to hold space for others, even when it feels uncomfortable.

Education and Workforce Development

Sessions like “Homegrown Talent Pipelines” and “Leave No Talent Behind” underscored investment in early education and inclusive employment as key strategies for building strong, sustainable local economies.

Panelists said students thrive when they can see what’s possible. Through strong community partnerships, young people are dismantling limiting stereotypes and learning to set meaningful goals. Panelist Richard Spearman, shared how school once felt abstract — until he discovered a path in IT and graphics that doubled his salary and changed his trajectory.

Speakers emphasized the power of representation and early exposure, helping students connect with professionals who reflect their identities and interests. As Kelli Turner noted, when students can visualize their future and have access to resources, they’re empowered to pursue it. 

The “Leave No Talent Behind” session explored how career literacy, strong networks and internal mobility within companies can empower individuals to grow professionally. Speakers emphasized the need to build a talent pipeline that supports both native Kansas Citians and transplants, while also creating inclusive pathways for individuals — including those impacted by incarceration — to gain higher education and enter the workforce. 

Career exploration isn’t just about jobs — it’s about showing students and people what they can become.

Neighborhood and Urban Development

As rents in Kansas City  soar and housing stock declines, panelists in a session about preventing displacement and planning sustainable neighborhoods said the metro needs to continue efforts to bring more affordable housing to the city.

Dion Lewis, deputy director of Housing and Community Development in Kansas City, Joe Mendoza, community development officer with Country Club Bank, and Pedro Zamora, of the Hispanic Economic Development Corp., discussed a public/private affordable housing development at 29th Street and Belleview Avenue in Kansas City that they said could be a model.

The nine-house development is an example of how planners and developers can help maintain a neighborhood, the panelists said. The West Side, where these townhomes are located, has been burdened with rising prices and property taxes, making it unaffordable to many longtime residents.

But the project, which will be finished this year, took persistence and patience, the panelists said. Planning began in 2019. 

“I tell people all the time, you get into development, don’t look for quick wins,” Lewis said. “It’s all about starting, but also having the patience to continue through the whole marathon.”