Kansas Leadership Center
@theklc
The Kansas Leadership Center equips people to lead. Join us. #WhenEveryoneLeads #KLCimpact | Enroll in our virtual & in-person programs through our website:
⏰ Tuesday in Topeka. Two perspectives. One conversation. Join us for a free Braver Angels Debate on whether Kansas voters should elect state Supreme Court justices. Speak, ask questions or simply listen. 📅 July 28 • Doors 5:30 • Debate 6pm kansasleadershipcenter.org/klcevents/br...
Interested in attending? Learn more and register here: kansasleadershipcenter.org/klcevents/br...
It was a memorable way to welcome Lori Larsh, Rani Somers, Sidney Childs, Jamillah Anderson and Jayla Dennis. As they settle into their new roles, you'll likely see more of them, and their work, in the weeks ahead. #BehindTheKLCene #KLCstaff
Instead of the usual introductions, everyone brought something meaningful to share -- whether it was a treasured keepsake or something rescued from a desk drawer at the last minute. Every object came with a story, and every story revealed something about the person sharing it.
Turns out show and tell isn't just for kids. We've welcomed six new teammates to KLC in recent weeks, and five were able to join us for a staff lunch with a twist. 🧵👇 #BehindTheKLCene #KLCstaff
KLC sponsored the Association of Leadership Programs conference in Omaha. Racquel facilitated a session exploring the question: "What bridges need to be built in your community?" Participants represented community leadership programs from across the country. Pictured are from TX, MD, CO, MS & VA.
At the ALP conference last week, Staley School of Leadership Ph.D. student Andy Robles connected w/ Racquel Thiesen to learn more about the eval work KLC's 3rd Floor Research conducted for ALP which Andy's dissertation will use to study how community leadership programs cultivate civic engagement.
What if disagreement wasn't something to avoid? Braver Angels debates create space for people with different viewpoints to speak honestly, listen carefully and engage respectfully. 📍 Topeka 📅 July 28 Learn more & register: kansasleadershipcenter.org/klcevents/br... (It's free.) #ksleg
Applications for Common Good Partnerships open August 10. Our website is now updated with the application timeline plus registration for two free informational webinars if you'd like to learn more before applications open. Learn more & plan ahead: kansasleadershipcenter.org/grants/
Those conversations won't solve every challenge. But they'll shape the work that continues long after everyone returned home. That's the power of learning with -- and from -- one another. 🌻 #WhenEveryoneLeads #CivicEngagement #KLCImpact
A month ago, community partners from across Kansas gathered for this year's Community Partner Gathering. They came to share ideas and wrestle with difficult questions—but they also discovered they're not doing this work alone. #WhenEveryoneLeads #CivicEngagement #KLCImpact
As America turns 250 tomorrow, we're reflecting on the many ways people contribute to civic life. 🇺🇸 At KLC, that has included the Civic Action Passport and the National Civics Bee. For our colleague Melissa Musgrave, it also means stepping up to sing the national anthem when Wichita needs a voice.
Congratulations to Colin Burke of Salina South Middle School, winner of the 2026 Kansas State Finals of the National Civics Bee®! 🏆 He'll represent Kansas at the #NationalCivicsBee Championship in Washington, D.C., this fall. Read about it & see more pix: kansasleadershipcenter.org/salina-stude...
Thank you to Textron Aviation, Fidelity Bank, Hoidale, Thrive Restaurant Group and United Way of the Plains for supporting the Nonprofit Business Impact Series. 🤝 Together, they're helping nonprofit organizations make progress on complex challenges. 👉 KansasLeadershipCenter.org/nonprofit-impact
Leadership can be lonely. It doesn't have to be. Executive directors from 16 nonprofit organizations came together for the first Luminary Lab retreat to explore conscious leadership, tackle complex challenges and learn from one another. #KLCImpactSeries
What makes the National Civics Bee® so special? 🏆 In this conversation with Fayola Oyatayo, KLC President and CEO Dr. Kaye Monk-Morgan shares why she's excited to welcome this year's finalists to Wichita. Join us this Saturday, June 27. KansasLeadershipCenter.org/bee #NationalCivicsBee
Healthcare. Higher education. Public service. Banking. Emergency services. Nonprofits. Different sectors. Shared aspirations. We can't wait to see how these participants put their new skills to work in their organizations, businesses & communities. #KLCpath #WhenEveryoneLeads #KLCimpact
Learning the ideas is one thing. Helping others put them into practice is another. That's what Equip to Lead is all about. Last week, 18 participants spent two days practicing facilitation skills, receiving feedback and preparing to share KLC ideas with others. #KLCpath #WhenEveryoneLeads
Sometimes progress looks like a newly landscaped campus. Lydia Santiago & Anna Porcaro volunteered at the Kansas Aviation Museum during United Way of the Plains #DayOfAction, helping care for the museum grounds. Lydia even capped off the day with a raffle win. 🎉 #PeopleHelpingPeople #ForceForGood
Sometimes progress looks like a fresh coat of paint. Jamillah Anderson and Jayla Dennis joined volunteers from across the region for United Way of the Plains Day of Action, helping paint offices at HumanKind Ministries. #PeopleHelpingPeople #ForceForGood #DayOfAction
Sometimes progress looks like a cleaned-out workspace. As part of United Way of the Plains Day of Action, Kathy Lefler, Luvyna Mantle and Shannon Pope spent the day helping Rainbows United prepare for an office consolidation. #PeopleHelpingPeople #ForceForGood #DayOfAction
One week to go. 🏆 Returning emcee Fayola Oyatayo & keynote speaker Tanya Ramesh will join us June 27 for the Kansas State Finals of the National Civics Bee®. Free & open to the public. RSVP: KansasLeadershipCenter.org/bee #NationalCivicsBee
After months of competition, 15 students remain. 🏆 The finalists for the 2026 Kansas State Finals of the #NationalCivicsBee have been announced. On June 27, they'll compete in Wichita for the opportunity to represent Kansas at nationals in DC. See the list & RSVP: KansasLeadershipCenter.org/bee
Tanya returns June 27 as keynote speaker for this year's Kansas State Finals. Come see Kansas students compete for the opportunity to represent our state nationally. Free and open to the public. KansasLeadershipCenter.org/bee
Last year, Tanya Ramesh won the Kansas State Finals of the National Civics Bee®. A few months later, she represented Kansas in Washington, D.C. and finished among the top five students in the nation. KansasLeadershipCenter.org/bee #NationalCivicsBee
When young people are trusted with real challenges, they rise to meet them. 30 Prairie Schooner Mates spent part of Riverfest exploring how to make progress on issues they care about through #WhenEveryoneLeads. Thanks to Bank of America & Wichita Festivals Inc. for making this experience possible.
What does the American Dream mean in 2026? More than 50 people gathered last night for Testing the American Dream, a live storytelling event from the Wichita Journalism Collaborative and The Journal. Through stories and conversation, participants reflected on opportunity, legacy, belonging & more.
Every story needs someone to help guide the room. Jessie Gray, emcee & founder of Flying Pig Improv, will help shape the evening as stories of the American Dream unfold. 📅 May 26 | 6–7 p.m. 📍 Roxy’s Downtown | Wichita Register: bit.ly/TestingAmericanDream
🚀 Looking for work that matters? KLC is hiring. ✨ Chief Financial Officer ✨ Accounting Operations Manager ✨ Program Associates (2 positions) If you’re seeking meaningful work in a mission-driven organization, this might be the right time to take a look: KansasLeadershipCenter.org/join-the-klc-team
Celebrating 3 years of Beka Starkey Keasling who has helped strengthen impact across KLC as director of learning networks. “One of the values I see lived out every day at KLC is connection. Our people show up for each other & genuinely care.” #KLCstaff #BehindTheKLCene