KANSAS CITY —  G.I.F.T. (Generating Income For Tomorrow), a local nonprofit, has joined the Black Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City’s Stronger Together KC Program (“STKC”).  STKC is a Black Chamber program designed to bring needed resources together under one umbrella to support black business owners and introduce youths to entrepreneurship and certificate-based career opportunities.

“STKC’s first and ongoing initiatives involved collaborations with Siemens Infrastructure and CalPoly to introduce area youth to both building automation technology and cybersecurity careers,” said Kelvin Perry, Black Chamber President.  “The second involves mentoring and advanced business support services, as well as helping business owners understand employee benefits, risk mitigation, succession planning, and wealth management.”

G.I.F.T. provides black-owned businesses in strategically selected zip codes in greater Kansas City the opportunity to apply for growth grants of $25,000 and $50,000; and startup grants in the amount of $10,000.

“G.I.F.T.’s impact and commitment to supporting black-owned businesses with access to capital and technical services in just one year are impressive,” said Mr. Perry.  “G.I.F.T. is a perfect fit as one piece of the puzzle in the Black Chamber’s commitment to supporting black-owned businesses and youth through the Stronger Together KC program.”

G.I.F.T.’s business owners who have successfully completed the G.I.F.T. program are eligible to receive an additional year of support through the Black Chamber’s STKC program, including complimentary Black Chamber memberships.

“We are ecstatic about the support of our grantees through the Black Chamber’s Stronger Together KC Program,” said Brandon Calloway, Executive Director of G.I.F.T.  “The STKC program gives our grantees access to black business owners who understand the challenges of running a black-owned business in Kansas City.  Receiving advanced professional services, education, and access to information will help ensure the business’s success whether they are a new and emerging business owner or a more experienced business owner.”

Through the STKC program, all G.I.F.T. recipients will be eligible for Black Chamber membership, access to capital, advanced professional services, business coaching and mentoring, and access to information.  Fourteen 2021 G.I.F.T recipients, in addition to direct applicants, are eligible to participate in the Black Chamber’s STKC program.

About Black Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City

The Black Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, Inc. is a Missouri 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation that was incorporated on May 13, 1985. The Black Chamber was conceived and started in late 1984 by fourteen (14) local Black business owners as a vehicle through which to promote, sustain, and maintain economic progress for Black-owned enterprises in the metropolitan area.   By design, the Chamber is an action and advocacy organization with the primary focus of meeting the needs of the Black business community and ensuring the participation of such businesses in the overall business and economic development plans of the greater Kansas City area. Learn more at www.bccgkc.org.

About G.I.F.T (Generating Income for Tomorrow)

G.I.F.T.’s vision is to create generational wealth, while also reducing instances of poverty-related crime and violence in Black communities through its program. G.I.F.T provides grants and technical assistance to Black-owned businesses in Kansas City, with a specific interest in businesses that operate in low-income areas. This is a method that is proven to create more jobs and convert an economically disadvantaged area into an area of economic opportunity. We aim to assist in creating generational wealth, while also reducing instances of poverty-related crime and violence in our communities. Learn more at www.kansascitygift.org.

About Stronger Together KC

The Black Chamber of Commerce recognizes the need for Black-owned businesses to have access to capital and advanced technical and professional assistance. The Black Chamber of Commerce has developed the STKC program to assist Black-owned businesses in the greater Kansas City area by giving them opportunities to access capital and advanced technical assistance in an effort to address systemic racism and financial disparities in America, and more specifically, Kansas City, Missouri. Under the STKC program, the Black Chamber is collaborating with key stakeholders as partners to assist Black-owned businesses with access to capital, advanced technical assistance, and business opportunities

About Cal Poly California Cybersecurity Institute (CCI)

As cyberattacks continue to increase dramatically in sophistication and volume, the US finds itself with less than half the trained cybersecurity professionals needed. This severe shortage is a national security crisis and represents a significant threat to California, the world’s fifth-largest economy and epicenter of digitalization and tech innovation. Cal Poly California Cybersecurity Institute (CCI) leads a state and national initiative to address this challenge. By bringing together the tech community, government agencies, and educational institutions, CCI is enhancing California’s cybersecurity defense capability. Through education, workforce development, and applied research, CCI works to build a skilled and innovative cyber workforce capable of navigating today’s complex threat landscape. By training a new generation of cybersecurity experts in the latest tools and techniques, this initiative is helping to protect data, computer systems, and critical infrastructure.

Learn more about CCI: https://cci.calpoly.edu/

About Siemens Infrastructure

About Siemens Smart Infrastructure USA

Siemens Smart Infrastructure (SI) is shaping the market for intelligent, adaptive infrastructure for today and the future. It addresses the pressing challenges of urbanization and climate change by connecting energy systems, buildings, and industries. SI provides customers with a comprehensive end-to-end portfolio from a single source – with products, systems, solutions, and services from the point of power generation all the way to consumption. With an increasingly digitalized ecosystem, it helps customers thrive and communities progress while contributing toward protecting the planet. SI creates environments that care. With around 70,000 employees worldwide, Siemens Smart Infrastructure has its global headquarters in Zug, Switzerland, and its U.S. corporate headquarters in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, USA. Learn more about Siemens in the USA: https://new.siemens.com/us/en.html