Ten Reasons That Confirm KAAAC is on the Right Track - Please Share!

Ten Reasons that Confirm the Kansas African American Affairs Commission is on the Right Track!

1. One project, The State of African Americans in Kansas project, has been awarded a $ 50,000 grant to fund research, evaluation and community strategic plans developed by district wide steering committee hosted 3D events.
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2. Two staff (really 1.5) hosted approximately 121 African American Kansans during five Advocacy Day events with the support of state legislators, employees and administrator panelists. These staff also planned and hosted the Governors MLK Day celebration for 200+ students, ensured Commission attendance at the State of the State address, planned and hosted the Minority Affairs offices open house gaining a grant reimbursing for 75% of the cost, and gained underwriting for other projects/events totaling $11,200.
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3. Three percent (3 %) of the overall budget (less than 1/3 of the FY 2012 total travel budget of $11,000) was spent to gain evidence based best practices, strategic planning, and equity model program ideas that shaped the design and development of our inaugural State of African Americans in Kansas publication. The remainder of the budget is used to reimburse Commissioners and staff for instate travel.

Three district wide steering committees are now up and running with the final one in the development phase.  3D events have taken place in two districts with a third one planned for May.  An additional 100+ individuals have been reach through the process of building steering committees and hosting 3D events to date.
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4.  In four days, KAAAC will submit a CSG Innovators Award for the stellar work done and the early process success gained on the State of African Americans in Kansas project.  Also in four days, KAAAC will be without an assistant AGAIN as Laurel has received a much needed full time State position.   Please provide ideas on how do we maintain our momentum in light of the challenge of identifying qualified/loyal staff for a part time no benefits salary at 6% of the Governors budget.
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5.  Through five equity areas defined in the State of African Americans in Kansas publication, five signature KAAAC events are being designed and planned.  At the request of the Governor, KAAAC is also planning a five day Governors MLK 2013 event that features eleven mile walks, one in each district, leading up to the fifth day celebration. In June we will select a recipient for our education award, host the education town hall meeting, and attend the KABSE conference, in conjunction with our quarterly meeting.
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6. The number of organizations/boards/committees the KAAAC Executive Director represents the Commission:  KDHE Center for Health Equity, NAACP state health chair, Sunflower Foundation Fellow, KDHE  KDAC advocacy member, Vision 2020 fellow and Topeka Infant Mortality Planning and PPE advisory committee.
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7.  KAAACs equity movement has seven (7) clearly defined steps:

Discover
1. Collect data from State of Kansas agencies and analyze the data
2. Design a document that compares national to state equity outcomes
3. Solicit evidence based/best practice solutions to equity areas of noted
4. Develop local district wide steering committees to mobilize their community to act

Dream
5. Steering Committees host local district wide events to review the data, define ways the community can work to identify existing resources, build collaborative relationships and leverage resources, advocate for pertinent solutions, and to consider what the community should create to successfully address the most pressing areas of inequity discovered.

Design
6. Commissioners and district wide Steering Committee members guide the community at large in designing a strategic plan to decrease areas of inequity, specifically noting who will do what, and by when.

Destination
7. The Commission will provide technical assistance and assist with identifying resources needed to successfully accomplish the designed plan for each district.
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8.  The executive director has been the keynote speaker or asked to present the State of African Americans in Kansas data on eight (8) different occasions throughout the State.
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9.  At least nine media outlets have covered the KAAAC State of African Americans in Kansas equity movement:  The Community Voice, The Lawrence Journal World, NPR northeast KS, Topeka Capitol Journal,  CJOnline, WIBW,  KSHB, IBSA online, and WCTV.
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10.  A 10% increase in the number of Facebook fans has been gained and the number of individuals reporting our information is up.  The list serve weekly newsletter has also been an effective tool also for disseminating KAAAC information.

Commissioner active involvement is essential to our success, let's not get distracted.

Congratulations on a great past three (3) months and thank you for your support on a successful next three!

Blessings, Mildred


Mildred Edwards, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Kansas African American Affairs Commission
Kansas Board of Regents
900 SW Jackson, Room 101
Topeka, KS 66612
(785) 296-1903 (office)
(785) 220-8003 (cell)

Mildred.Edwards@ks.gov
Www.KAAAC.ks.gov

Thank you in advance for your support of this very important commission of state government. Our voice, input and action on issues affecting our lives and future are most pressing; and we all must now see how we can play an individual and collective role in building a foundation for our future.

Lazone Grays

KAAAC Sub-Committee

Economic Opportunity & Asset Building