Covenant of Racial Reconciliation for the Sports Domain

Whereas as members of the sports community, as US citizens, and as Greater Kansas City residents – we mourn the current state of race relations. We lament we haven’t led our community in addressing racial issues. The fruits of our present grew from the roots of our past and these realities cannot be ignored nor dismissed. Yet neither should they stop us from moving to higher ground.

Whereas the sports community has fallen into the trap of not pursuing a vision of development through sport and has sometimes failed to embrace our unique differences, the time has now come to lead with humility, celebrate the great diversity of talent in our community, and create opportunities within Kansas City sports for all to succeed.

Now, therefore, by my signature, I commit to:

• Unify sports operating as a community in covenant with each organization/coach/parent/player using their resources and skills to drive transformational change. We all come as equals, with unique talents to contribute and believe that we are better together.
• Labor for substantive change that will bring healing, peace, true community, and justice for all who call Kansas City home. I will do this by upholding a holistic vision of personal development through sports.
• Develop friendships and partnerships with other coaches, athletes, and parents of different demographics recognizing our nation’s founding principle that all people are created equal and should be treated fairly and with respect. I will learn from people outside of my culture in order to strengthen the sports community. These friendships are critical regardless of possible organizational competition. I will not use Unite KC to promote a personal agenda or profit from this process.
• Implement education on race and our countries’ history of race relations as a positive step in my organization.
• Create opportunities, resources, and minority leadership representation. Employing the role and relationships of coaches to parents & guardians, and athletes, I will work to foster greater opportunities and support of underserved communities. I will work to create opportunities through hiring practices and development pathways to support diversity amongst high-level leadership.

I commit to this Covenant of Reconciliation for the sake of my life, my organization, my fellow employees, and the Greater Kansas City community and to take a practical step in the Suggested Actions to make it real. When this journey becomes difficult, I commit to enduring through challenging days.

Sign the Covenant

Pick One Good Thing & Get Started!

 

Freedom Hoops

Freedom Hoops is cultivating disciples…on the court and 1-on-1 in pursuit of Every Court. Hope Found. Lives Changed.

Volunteer Opportunities

• Regular Volunteering
  • Program volunteers – Tuesdays/Thursdays at 2 PM; Saturdays at 10 AM (open gym)
• Professional Services
  • HR – policy development
  • Photographers and videographers – film and/or shoot pictures at programming and events
  • Social Media
• Financial Support (Looking to fund the following positions)
  • Rec Basketball Operations – oversee basketball operations of Freedom Hoops
  • Woman Leadership – a woman who understands the city, desires to reach out to single moms, disciple young volunteer women, and prayerfully pursue female programming
  • Admin support – perform tasks to carry out the ministry

Contact: Michael Loney – michael@freedomhoops.org

 

Kansas City Urban Youth Academy

The Kansas City MLB Urban Youth Academy is a non-profit organization with the mission to empower Kansas City’s underserved youth ages 6-18 through baseball and softball, academic and social opportunities to be the leaders of tomorrow. The vision for the Academy is to become the epicenter for youth baseball and softball throughout the Midwest, beginning with the urban community and its location in the backyard of the historical 18th & Vine District.

Volunteer Opportunities

• Current needs
  • Volunteer Coaches to help with our Winter training sessions through the week of December 14th.
  • Monday Night Softball (8-18) 6-8 pm
  • Tuesday (9-12) and Thursday (13-18) Night Baseball 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
• Future Needs
  • Volunteer Coaches for Winter II and Spring training sessions.
  • Volunteer Coaches and Umpires for May, June League. Baseball and Softball. All leagues will be 12 and under.

Contact: Darwin Pennye – Darwin.pennye@royals.com

Missouri RBI

• Program Volunteer – Help in the classroom and while members work through the SMARTS and Positive Action program materials.
• Job Shadowing – Help teens explore job opportunities through company tours and experiences following and observing experienced employees in desired fields.
• Life Coach Mentoring – Spend a few hours a month building a one-on-one bond with a teen member, helping with homework, shooting hoops, or just talking about life.
• Skills Sharing – Share your technical knowledge in one of our Clubs’ Makerspace Technology Labs and/or recording studios.
• Event Support – Support our major fundraising initiatives by volunteering at one or more events throughout the year, helping with registration, greeting guests, table support, and more.
• RBI Coach and Sports Coaching – Invest in the lives of youth by coaching them in the value of teamwork, responsibility, good sportsmanship, and self-esteem.
• Academic Tutoring – Pick your favorite classroom subject and help kids work through their schoolwork.

Contact: Ronnie Stevenson – 816-447-2449

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kansas City

• Contact: Nancy and Gordon Beaham
• Email applications: volunteer@helpkckids.org

Police Athletic League

• Volunteer – The Police Athletic League of Kansas City provides a safe haven and positively connects with the youth of Kansas City thanks to the efforts of our dedicated volunteers. Volunteering is a great opportunity to have a lasting impact on our children. PAL volunteers provide direct help to our programs, raise needed funds, support special events and serve on our board of directors.

Contact: Sgt. Skip Cox – 816-413-3515 – douglas.cox@kcpd.org

Kansas City Sports Academy Football Program

Contact: Michael Rose-Ivey – 816-876-0740

Middle School Urban Core League

Contact: Michael Cobbins – mcobbins@kippendeavor.org

Meet the Voices behind this Domain

Matt Marasco - Domain Leader

Leadership Development Director, KC Royals

Alan Dietrich

COO, Sporting Kansas City

Alec Lemmon

Founder/Director, TOCA City KCK

Anthony Pleasant

14-year NFL Player, 6-year NFL Coach, Chiefs/Texans

Bailey Dagel

Brandon Martin

Athletics Director, UMKC

Brian Wietharn

Chase Coffman

Darwin Pennye

Executive Director, MLB Urban Youth Academy

David Gershon

Dayton Moore - Founder, Board Member

General Manager, Kansas City Royals

Deron Cherry

Emily Penning

Executive Assistant to the GM, Kansas City Royals

Evan Butterfield

Gene & Melanie Watson

Jake Reid

Jayice JC Pearson

Jeff Diskin

Professional Development, Kansas City Royals

Jennifer Hartzell

Joel Goldberg

John Moncke

Kathy Nelson

President/CEO, Greater Kansas City Sports Commission & Foundation

Katy Jennings

Keith Cash

Kyle Vena

Senior Director of Baseball Operations, Kansas City Royals

Marcellus Casey

Marianne Moore

Mark Masloski

Matt Anderson

Matt Farmer

Chaplain, Kansas City Royals; Vice President, National Christian Foundation – Heartland

Matt McInnes

Michael Rose-Ivey

Founder and CEO, Kansas City Sports Academy; Coach, Lincoln Prep Football

Nate Houser

Director of Athletics, Baker University

Nicholas Kenny

Preston Ellsworth

Renita Pleasant

Rex Hudler

Ronald J. Stevenson

Shawn Barber

President, KC Chiefs Ambassadors; Former NFL Player, Kansas City Chiefs

Tyler Epp

William Brandmeyer

Willie Aikens

Minor League Hitting Instructor, Kansas City Royals