Tag: Mid-America LGBT Chamber

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

By Tommy Felts / August 30, 2024

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 

By Tommy Felts / December 22, 2023

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

By Tommy Felts / July 6, 2023

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

By Tommy Felts / May 10, 2023

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

By Tommy Felts / November 21, 2022

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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