Digging Deeper...

According to a study spearheaded by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, the immigrant population in the U.S. has helped strengthen America’s labor force. Like just about every other major and mid-major metropolis in the U.S., greater Kansas City is facing serious workforce shortages. “It began well before COVID-19 disrupted our economy,” says Joe Reardon, president and CEO, of the Chamber.  As baby boomers retire, younger immigrants are filling critical gaps in the market. The Chamber is engaged an all-out effort to marshal the region’s assets across the entire community – businesses, consultants, educators, policy makers, church groups, social services and health and agriculture – to welcome immigrants, refugees and other newcomers to grow the region’s globally competitive workforce. The initiative is called Welcoming KC.  Dennis McLaughlin, McLaughlin Writers LLC – Sources: Wall Street Journal, April 16, 2022; Welcoming KC, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, 2021; The Future of Equity in Cities, 2017, National League of Cities.

Making Greater Kansas City A Welcoming Destination

The phrase – think globally, act locally – is thought to have been coined in 1915 by a Scottish urban planner and social activist, Patrick Geddes, when he published Cities in Evolution. Another Scotsman, Niall Ferguson, historian, writer and columnist, wrote in his 2010 book – The Shock of the Global – that the concept of thinking globally and acting locally really took hold of thought leaders from business, government, education et al in 1970s. “It was the 1970s that introduced the world to the phenomenon of globalization, as networks of interdependence bound peoples and societies in new and original ways,” observed Ferguson.

The 1970s saw the breakdown of the postwar WWII economic order, the advent of floating currencies and free capital movements, Ferguson said. Non-state actors rose to prominence while the authority of the superpowers diminished. The Shock of the Global examines the large-scale structural upheaval of the 1970s that tore down standard frameworks of national borders and superpower relations, revealing an international system in the throes of enduring transformations. 

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal (April 16, 2022), however, suggests a good piece of the construct of globalization, as it has developed over the last 30 years, could be unraveling. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, de-globalization has been spoken of, in some circles, as inevitable. Comparisons to global events in the world 100 years ago abound. “The world could be in for something like what happened just over a century ago, when World War I, the Russian Revolution and, yes, a global [flu] pandemic provoked countries to turn inward,” the WSJ reported. But the article went on: “Just as the path toward a more globalized world isn’t inevitable; however, neither is globalization inevitably going into retreat.”

But there might be other changes to globalization’s dynamics. The pandemic-induced shortages and the Russian invasion illustrate how over-reliance on a single country’s production – such as microprocessors or natural gas – can be dangerous. “Perhaps there will be a recognition that globalization is neither a fait accompli nor a magic wand that can in and of itself lead to a more prosperous future,” said Justin Lahart, the author of the WSJ piece. 

Thinking Globally

Heady stuff that maybe ought to be left to elites at Davos doing whatever it is they do – because we all know the real reason why earthlings in the 1970s were starting to think more globally. In January 1970 Boeing Company certified its iconic 747 jet liner for commercial travel. It was the world’s first wide-body, long-range jumbo aircraft. Boeing’s original customer, Pan American Airlines, pioneered a new era of passenger flight that reduced seat costs by 30%, thereby democratizing air travel.  [Full disclosure: This is conjecture on the part of this writer – but as a former summertime Boeing employee back in college, I am proud of the company’s contribution to globalization.]

Thousands of Americans, like folks in Keokuk, Iowa, for example, who had never even been to relatively-nearby Chicago, could now travel to the capitols and major cities of Europe and Asia. They were also bringing home a novel realization and appreciation for the rest of the world. In other words, Thinking Globally.

Acting Locally 

Americans, though, weren’t the only people discovering new worlds. Millions of Europeans, Asians, Africans, Middle Easterners and South Americans visited the United States. American travelers took  pictures, created memories, made entries in their diaries and then went home. But people from around the world, it seems, made plans to return to the U.S., and stay. 

Immigrants have had a multi-billion-dollar impact on the Kansas City regional economy every year, says Joe Reardon, president and CEO of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.  “But worth even more is the human impact,” he asserts. “They start small businesses, bring innovative ideas, and become active and passionate members of our community. New faces become old friends, and we are all better for it.”   

Granted, Digging Deeper is taking literary license to apply the “think globally, act locally” trope to herald the Chamber’s efforts to make Kansas City a designated globally Welcoming City. “We know that by using all the assets across our entire community,” says Reardon, “we can welcome immigrants, refugees, and other newcomers to grow the region’s globally competitive workforce.” In other words, Acting Locally.

Welcoming Kansas City

The Greater Kansas City region has become more diverse over the last 25 years. The immigrant population increased from 33,000 in 1990 to more than 150,000 in 2018. Immigrants are an important part of our economic and cultural fabric, working in a variety of industries and establishing strong roots in the community as homeowners and parents of U.S.-born children. “Neighborhoods in Northeast Kansas City and Central Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas own their survival to immigrants and refugees,” says Greg Valdovino, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion of the KC Chamber. “In Kansas City, 8.7% of all immigrants are entrepreneurs, making them not only good neighbors but contributors to our economy.”

At a time where the general population in the metropolitan area grew by 40 percent, the immigrant population increased by more than 300 percent. That’s why the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce has developed an omnibus action plan that reflects the values of welcoming and inclusion “to ensure everyone feels as though Greater Kansas City is home.”

This reflection has driven the development of the Greater Kansas City Welcoming Plan. “A welcoming plan is a roadmap that helps identify key priorities,” says the Chamber. “By bringing together the government, business, and nonprofit sectors,” officials say, “we created a roadmap that identifies the programs, policies, and activities needed to accomplish our goals of being an inclusive community and Certified Welcoming.”

Kansas City’s population remains predominantly white and black. While the city lost white residents in the 1990s, it gained residents of other races and ethnicities. Immigrants have contributed to the changing profile of the city suburbs and region, with the number of foreign-born residents more than doubling in the 1990s. The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce (GKCCC) considers the area’s  greatest asset to be its people, no  people matter what their background is or where they’re from.  “In order to compete for the best and diverse talent, we have to be more culturally attractive,” says Valdovino. “Younger generations are getting used to diversity and inclusion, they want to live and work with people that look different than them.”

A mantra heard at GKCCC is that the region is stronger when everyone has the opportunity to contribute and succeed. Notes Reardon: “The economic and social benefits of being a welcoming community are clear, and it’s in that spirit we will keep Greater Kansas City a healthy and vibrant community for everyone.” The plan lays out a framework to proactively address and engage a changing community by bringing together key regional  leaders to learn more about current demographics, consider the implications of demographic changes, identify priorities for action, and work together to develop new policies and programs. The Chamber enlisted 40 additional local partnering organizations to draft a plan to make the region friendly and open to immigrants, refugees, and newcomers from other cities, states, and countries. 

Here’s The Plan

At the core of the Plan are several values that GKCCC has identified as essential components to the Welcoming KC blueprint.

VALUE – Resiliency and Growth: “We believe in economic growth that leverages our diversity. By capitalizing on all talents, we help our communities withstand crises. We embrace and celebrate the resiliency of individual community members and of our community as a whole. The Greater Kansas City region strives to be a place where all can thrive.

VALUE – Racial Equity and Belonging: “We believe the various backgrounds, cultures, and experiences of our region’s population make us a more vibrant, connected, and creative community. Advancing racial equity and belonging in Greater Kansas City requires a long-term commitment on everyone’s part. It’s not enough to invite people to the table -- we need to advance inclusion at all levels. 

VALUE –  Opportunity In the Greater Kansas City Region: “We open doors to education, language learning, health, employment, and other opportunities to help everyone achieve their fullest potential.”

VALUE –  Connection and Cohesion: “No one succeeds in isolation; together, we can decrease biases and stereotypes, have rich cultural experiences different from our own, and solve tough problems through collaboration and creative problem-solving. We can see each other as good neighbors. We are so much better together.”

But values need to be articulated as goals, which need strategies for reaching them. Here’s how GKCCC is going about that.

GOAL –  Empower Racially and Ethnically Diverse Residents With Education and Access to Civic Life: “Identify organizations or individuals with experience and expertise on anti-racism, immigration systems, and equity and inclusion and connect them with local governments to provide professional development opportunities for civil servants.”

GOAL –  Create, Support and Promote Opportunities for All Residents To Build Trusted Relationships: “Enlist community leaders and organizations to work with immigrants and refugees to provide education and information on the history of race and racism in the United States and  to address anti-Blackness, power, privilege, and oppression, as well as the ways in which all residents are impacted by racism.”

GOAL – Create Equitable, Inclusive Economic Development for the Region:  Develop workforce  systems and programs that are accessible to immigrants and refugees; breakdown barriers that limit opportunities for success for immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs. Regional economic development services collaborate to address barriers for immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs.

GOAL – Create a Welcoming, Inclusive Workplace Environment:  Provide culturally and linguistically appropriate education to immigrants and refugees on workers’ rights and workplace safety; encourage  local businesses to diversify their workforce, including support to ensure compliance with visa requirements and re-credentialing. 

GOAL – Prepare and Support All Students, including Immigrants and Refugees for the Workforce: Create twilight schools in the community; provide GED/HiSet and trade/vocational classes at no cost; ensure paid internships, scholarships and financial aid programs are accessible to racially and ethnically diverse students, including immigrants and refugees. 

GOAL – Commit to Immigration Integration and Economic Mobility: Prepare immigrants and refugees to enter certification programs through trade/ vocational classes by offering them at a variety of times and locations; old on-site English learning classes at employment locations; expand the Kansas City Public Library RISE program to ensure the services it provides are accessible throughout Greater Kansas City. 

GOAL – Create Equitable Educational Outcomes for Racially and Ethnically Diverse Students: Identify, promote and incorporate proven family engagement strategies that focus on the unique needs of racially and ethnically diverse students, immigrants and refugees; ensure early childhood education is accessible. 

GOAL – Create a Welcoming and Inclusive Climate Attractive to Racially and Ethnically Diverse Residents:   Promote the arts and cultures of racially and ethnically diverse residents; ensure arts and cultural programs and services celebrate the contributions of immigrants, refugees and racially and ethnically diverse residents; ensure government communication materials reflect and celebrate the diversity of the community. 

Learn More

The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce put together a leadership team of key stakeholders from the Chamber and the Kansas City region – including REACH Healthcare Foundation, Communities Concerned for Immigrants and Refugees/Vibrant Health and Shabbir Advisors to develop Welcoming KC. Over an 18-month period, GKCCC received input from consultants at Welcoming America, Decatur, Illinois, www.welcomingamerica.org. Additionally, the plan has been informed by input from community leaders, government officials, community members directly impacted by the plan, and the public at large.

For an in depth and detailed look at GKCCC’s welcoming KC read the full report here.

Did You Know?

The National League of Cities (NLC), located in Washington, D.C. is the nation’s leading advocacy organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership, and governance. Through its membership and partnerships with state municipal leagues, NLC serves as a resource and advocate for more than 1,900 cities and towns. NLC, like the GKCCC, also recently (2017) published a detailed report on how cities are gearing up  to promote equity and diversity in municipal settings.  Future of Equity In Cities is available at www.nlc.org.

But did you know NLC was first founded in 1924 as the American Municipal Association in Lawrence, Kansas by a group of ten state municipal leagues seeking greater coordination and representation in national affairs. In 1947, the organization opened its membership to individual cities with populations of 100,000 or more. That membership threshold was gradually moved downward, and in 1964, to signal the organization's growing emphasis on cities as members, the American Municipal Association changed its name to the current NLC. By 1977, the population requirement was eliminated.