Having had the pleasure of working with several non-profit organizations over the years, I was very excited about being invited to Thrive, a remarkable event hosted by LISC Greater Kansas City. Held back in October in the heart of Kansas City, Thrive is a signature community development gala touted as a true one-of-a-kind experience – and I can certainly see why.
The event was nothing short of spectacular. Those that know me are aware that I enjoy giving back to the community and they are also privy to the fact that I benefit from having a change of scenery. As a Florida resident, it was great to be in Missouri for the first time and attend such an awe-inspiring event. Thrive honored changemakers, front line workers, and many others who have worked to make the Kansas City area more vibrant and equitable each and every day. Held at the Kansas City Urban Youth Academy, a non-profit organization with the mission to empower Kansas City's youth ages 6-18, the celebration was emceed by news anchor and reporter Dia Wall of KSHB 41 and featured a lively performance from students of the Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts.
I distinctly recall being blown away by the performance and having to resist the urge to keep from standing during their selections to cheer them on. Additionally, I felt that the venue was quite spacious, which was the perfect setting for an organization commemorating 40 years of service. A sizable venue was also a smart move on behalf of Thrive’s organizers since this year’s event was the first in-person celebration since the start of the pandemic. Anyone who was anyone was in attendance, including local politicians who showed up to recognize the remarkable contributions of LISC Greater KC. This was something I was very impressed by. Having the support of local leaders and politicians just goes to show how much the community supports the organization.
I was very pleased to meet Geoff Jolley, Executive Director of LISC Greater KC, who was on hand to spotlight the contributions of several noteworthy individuals. It was evident that Geoff enjoys his job and takes pride in what he does. A humble man, he took the time to recognize those that have helped the organization over the years. Among them was Jim White, the first Program Director of LISC Greater KC, who passed away in 2017. A video was shown featuring those that worked with White during his tenure. His family accepted an award in recognition of his contributions.
The energy in the venue was positive and contagious – a fact that I was certainly cognizant of. Thrive began with a cocktail hour followed by the official program and local spoken word artist Sheri Hall was tapped to bring the audience to their feet with an incredible piece. However, what I enjoyed the most was the extensive dinner, including fried and roasted chicken, mashed potatoes with gumbo gravy, glazed green beans, and housemade pickles. Desserts consisted of red velvet cake with brown buttercream, chocolate espresso truffle, and sweet potato cheesecake with oatmeal crust and bourbon caramel sauce. In keeping with the theme of being community-focused, dishes were provided by local cooks, including Chef Justin Clark of Urban Cafe, Chef Bradley Gilmore of Lula Southern Cookhouse, and Chef Shanita McAfee Bryant of Prospect Urban Eatery. Needless to say, I definitely left satisfied.
All in all, I felt Thrive was an immeasurable success. As someone that had never been to Missouri, it was refreshing to be in Kansas City and meet several of the locals. The event was moving and the food was scrumptious. LISC Greater KC has done such a phenomenal job of benefitting the city and I look forward to returning to next year’s event – if I’m invited again of course.
Jaylen Christie
Bernadettte Davis Comunications