GEWKC just launched its 2024 lineup; Here are three of the can’t-miss entrepreneur events

Inspiration — and top honors — are on the calendar this fall as registration launches for Kansas City’s busiest week in entrepreneurship. Among the headline events for the connection-packed summit: two grants competitions and a new-to-GEW celebration of Kansas City innovation. Organizers this week released the official schedule for the in-person Nov. 19-21 Global Entrepreneurship Week –…

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If support for LGBT employees doesn’t seem obvious, this new chamber leader would like a word 

Kansas City’s LGBTQ+ community shouldn’t have to face its battles alone, said Tracey DeMarea, emphasizing the impact of allyship and the growing need for stronger support from the region’s business community — regardless of whether a company considers itself LGBT-owned. “Equity isn’t just an issue for businesses that know they have LGBT leadership or employees,”…

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Former Independence mayor named interim executive director for LGBT Chamber

An interim leader was announced Thursday as the Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce forms a search committee tasked with identifying the next full-time executive director for the Kansas City-based business advocacy group. Eileen Weir, who served as mayor of Independence, Missouri, from 2014 to 2022, takes on the interim role July 11 after the announcement…

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Wave of anti-trans bills in Midwest could turn founders (and their businesses) into political refugees fleeing MO, KS

At 50, Suzanne Wheeler never imagined her government would propose legislation to take her health care away, she shared. In April, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced a plan to issue emergency rules on transgender care. The regulations would make Missouri the first state to severely restrict transgender care for adults, in addition to children.…

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Business advocate vows ‘We will never be afraid again’ after shooting at LGBTQ+ nightclub

Kansas City’s LGBTQ+ business community remains defiant in the face of bigotry and vigilant in its commitment to protect its members in the wake of a deadly mass shooting this weekend in Colorado, said Suzanne Wheeler. “Our ever-resilient community will continue to uproot hatred and bigotry with deeds of love and visibility,” said Wheeler, executive…

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