WICHITA URBAN PROFESSIONALS
OUR ORGANIZATION The Wichita Urban Professionals, an auxiliary of the Urban League of Kansas, is dedicated to empowering the young, diverse and talented. The organization involves members ages 21-40 in engaging and relevant personal development coaching, professional development trainings and dynamic social networking events.
OUR MISSION Engage young minority professionals, interested in increasing their leadership potential, to develop a network of rising leaders to improve the quality of life in the urban communities of Wichita.
OUR CONTEXT Five years ago, the city embarked on a 20-year improvement plan called Visioneering Wichita. The effort includes a focus on creating jobs, education, infrastructure and quality of life to make it desirable for young people to reside in the Wichita MSA. Through Visioneering Wichita, an annual exodus of about 1,700 young adults was revealed. That exodus to other communities leaves Wichita and its surrounding areas with a lost investment of $595 million, the effort found. Feedback from more than 9,000 people identified that creative young people desire the following in order to stay in Wichita or to relocate here: a. Higher paying non-manufacturing jobs. b. Increased opportunities for recreation, arts and culture. c. A lively downtown that is a destination. d. Increased racial diversity, opportunity and harmony. e. An indication that the Wichita MSA wants them to stay. Wichita Urban Professionals is poised to assist Visioneering Wichita to help make the area more attractive for the recruitment, retention and development of young, minority professionals. Information source: www.visioneeringwichita.org
Wichita Urban Professionals â—? 2418 E. Ninth St. N. â—? Wichita, KS 67214
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
OUR PRESIDENT The Wichita Urban Professionals will be the voice of minority professionals who are poised to make a difference and improve our communities. - Jonathan Long
OUR CHAMPIONS Kevin Andrews, Urban League (Interim Executive Director) Dale Diggs, Diggs Construction (CEO) Askia Ahmad, Koch Industries (Process Improvement Division) Denise Sherman, Southwestern College (Manager of Organizational Partnerships for College of Professional Studies) Terri Rice, Cox Communications (Marketing Manager) Teketa Harding, Capital Federal (Community Development Manager)
OUR EXPERIENCE Wichita Urban Professionals stands to benefit from the collective leadership of our talented members. Our membership represents industries including: education, workforce development, human resources, hospitality management and journalism. Some of the employers represented within our organization are: Koch Industries, Inc., USD 259, Via Christi and KWCH. Additionally, each member of our executive board has held or currently holds leadership positions in fraternities or sororities, professional organizations, civic organizations, religious auxiliaries and youth mentoring groups.
OUR IMPACT An age-gap in leadership currently exists in Wichita’s urban communities. This organization is poised to take up the baton from established, yet aging, community leaders and help develop the next-generation of leaders who will help move our city forward. Contact Person: Jonathan Long, President ● 316-207-2548 ● jlongachieves@gmail.com ● facebook.com/WichitaUrbanProfessionals
OUR EVENTS
Photo credit: Pictureman
Wichita Urban Professional Events offer dynamic networking opportunities. From mixers, to personal and career development to dynamic social gatherings, the organization offers a number of ways for members to connect and grow.
Left: Wichita Urban Professionals planning meeting. Right: Photographed with Mayor Carl Brewer and Urban League Board Chair, Melody McCray-Miller at the Urban League of Kansas’ Equal Opportunity Gala.
Wichita Urban Professional Memberships include a complimentary membership to the Urban League of Kansas and special discounts. Connect with us Wichita Urban Professionals 2418 E. Ninth Street North Wichita, KS 67214 Facebook.com/WichitaUrbanProfessionals