Racial Equity Collaborative

09/02/2026

Check out this important community event!

The 4th Annual B.L.O.C.K. Party & Wellness Fair, honoring the life and legacy of Broderick Crawford, a founding community advocate, hosted by KU Center for African American Health.

This FREE, family-friendly event is an opportunity to come together, celebrate community, and prioritize our health and wellness. There will be free health screenings, valuable resources, a Data Walk, complimentary food trucks, family activities, a live DJ, entertainment, and more!

📅 September 9, 2026 | 5–8 PM
📍 Sporting KC Sporting Plaza
1 Sporting Way, Kansas City, KS

🎟️ Registration is required to attend!
Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit: https://web.cvent.com/event/023d22b2-043b-4ca5-b626-d7277de17122/register

08/25/2026

🍎🥖 FREE FOOD DISTRIBUTION IN KCK! 🥕🍗

Harvesters Food Distribution takes place every 2nd Wednesday of the month at the Franklin Center in Kansas City, KS.

🗓️ Every 2nd Wednesday of the month
⏰ Distribution begins at 2:00 PM
🚗 Drive-thru distribution — food will be loaded directly into your vehicle!

Food items vary each month but may include: Fresh produce,bread & bakery products, protein and other grocery items!

A few things to know:
➡️ Many families begin arriving around 1:00 PM to get a spot in line. The parking lot can fill up quickly.
➡️ If the lot is full, numbers are handed out with a return time, so you can still receive food without having to wait in the parking lot.
➡️ Distribution typically ends around 3:30 PM.
➡️ There is a sign-in process, but this is solely for Harvesters’ data collection.
➡️ There are no eligibility requirements or limits on who can receive food. ❤️

Please share this post with anyone who may benefit from free food assistance! 🫶🏽

08/14/2026

The REC was pleased to share the interactive theater with the SOUL Family Convening participants last week in D.C. 9 states gathered to explore, expound, or continue executing SOUL as a permanency option for older youth in foster care.

We all heard the origin story of SOUL Family from those in the room and I'm not sure if they realized what they were envisioning and the impact it would have on so many people years later.

The Racial Equity Collaborative had the opportunity to present at the convening and share interactive theater. The interactive theater is "learning by doing" strategy organization can use to have nuanced and difficult discussions. SOUL Family was created for young people by young people with the support of professionals in the field and Kansas was the first state to pass this legislation. We believe SOUL Family has the opportunity to serve older youth well and reduce the aging out gap we see in nationwide data.

07/28/2026

The Wyandotte County Back to School & Health Fair is this weekend 🥳

Free supplies, sports physicals, hair cuts, family fun and more !!

Check out the website to learn more:

https://kcksfoundation.org/events/back-to-school-fair.html

07/17/2026

Let's support The Walker Foundation for the 4th Annual HAIRitage Day – Walk of Confidence Fashion Show & Community Celebration!
This is more than an event—it’s a movement of confidence, culture, and community.
🎟️ Every ticket purchased helps provide hair care services, support, and confidence-building experiences for children on our waiting list, ensuring more kids receive the care they need and deserve.
✨ What to expect: 👑 Walk of Confidence Fashion Show
🎤 Special guest appearances
🛍️ Vendors & shopping
💇 Hair & wellness experiences
🎉 Live entertainment for the whole family
❤️ Your support helps children feel seen, valued, and confident in who they are.

🎟️ Tickets Start at Just $10!

One ticket can make a lifetime of difference for a child.

At HAIRitage Day, a child will walk across the stage with confidence, courage, and pride. Imagine what it means for them to look into the audience and see a room full of people cheering them on. Your presence reminds them that they are seen, valued, and supported by their community.

We're asking everyone to purchase a ticket and invite your family, friends, coworkers, or church to join you. Together, let's fill every seat and create an unforgettable experience for our children.

💛 Can't attend? Sponsor a child so they can experience HAIRitage Day at no cost.

🎟️ Tickets start at just $10! Purchase your tickets today:

https://hairitageday.org/tickets/

Together, we can show every child that they never walk alone.

07/01/2026

Stories have the power to build empathy, challenge assumptions, and inspire change.

This Foster Care Playlist shares firsthand experiences from individuals whose lives have been shaped by the foster care system. We invite you to watch, reflect, and consider how listening to lived experiences can strengthen our communities.

🎥 Check out the playlist and join us in learning from those who know these experiences best.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40c9F6JnVcjTzSNWHoqm42TLlE3beRZA&si=quZOtuChDUh0Bcmr

06/22/2026

💙 June is National Reunification Month 💙

This month, we celebrate the strength of families who have worked hard to reunite and heal together and even those still working towards it.

Reunification is more than returning home—it’s about rebuilding trust, restoring relationships, and creating a foundation for a brighter future. We recognize the resilience of children, parents, caregivers, and the professionals who walk alongside them on this journey.

Every family’s path is unique, but every step toward connection, healing, and belonging is worth celebrating.

06/20/2026

The Speakers Bureau brings together individuals with lived experience to help raise awareness about foster care, adoption, and the child welfare system by sharing authentic and impactful stories. Participants may have opportunities to speak at events, participate in panels, engage in media efforts, and more, all on a volunteer basis.

If you would like to participate, please apply now via this form: https://www.cognitoforms.com/FosterAdoptConnect/KansasSpeakersBureau

If you have any questions in the meantime, email [email protected].

06/19/2026

Freedom delayed, but never forgotten. Today we remember the courage, celebrate the progress, and carry the hope of those who dreamed of a better tomorrow.

Happy Juneteenth🖤❤️

06/11/2026

We recently hosted the SOUL Family Interactive Theater for 2026 and it was amazing!

This interactive theater brought the community together to “learn by doing.” With scenes rooted in reality, this interactive theater allowed us to dive into reality as we roll played what it can be like to be apart of the foster care system and looked at data together for the state of Kansas.

Take a sneak peek at how it went by clicking the YouTube link below 😊 And if you’re interested in following along on this journey with us, sign up for our newsletter!

https://youtu.be/QmWYJkvKYS0?is=NzIFRbALXCBBZwCw

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/qdIponG/SOUL