Kansas City is a hotbed of entrepreneurial and small business activity, with 99 percent of all local companies employing 250 people or fewer. As it prepares its leaders for the new economy, the city recognizes the pivotal role of strong leadership. The community and its citizens have developed a number of programs to nurture and guide the leaders of tomorrow. Examples include:

Best Practices Tours
Local companies with exemplary employee relations meet with professionals to discuss how business went from good to great, touching on their best practices and how their employees help build their company.

Students in the City
One of the most significant ways a university engages with communities is by enabling its students to develop civic leadership skills and expand their learning through meaningful service to the community. The University of Missouri – Kansas City’s academic service-learning support office, Students in the City, furthers the progress of urban core revitalization by serving as a medium for service-learning opportunities for students, faculty, and community organizations.

City of Kansas City Missouri and UMKC Internship Program
Most college and graduate students who have participated in internship programs agree that the time spent in “the real world”, beyond campus gates, allowed them to gain invaluable experience to use in the work world. Through the collaborative efforts of the City Manager’s Office of Kansas City Missouri and UMKC, UMKC students have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and gain first-hand experience on the front lines of public service through the City’s internship program.

Global Leadership Opportunities for Business Executives (GLOBE)
GLOBE is a unique nine-month training program for executives already involved in international business. The focus is on the development of practical skills and long-term growth, addressing critical international business functions and corporate leadership.

The Herman A. Johnson Mentorship Program
This program pairs minority businesses with mentors. Named in honor of successful businessman Herman Johnson, the three-year program works with African-American, Hispanic, and Asian-American businesses.

Kansas City Forums
Kansas City Forums is led by the Center for the City at UMKC and KC Consensus, in collaboration with a project team. Funding is provided by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. The KC Forums project team is filled by organizations with years of experience in bringing citizens together. The KC Forums provide a venue for motivated, civic-minded citizens to listen, learn, and speak out on some of metropolitan Kansas City’s toughest issues.