Task Force for Small Business Enterprise Program

Kansas City's Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity Department (CREO) is announcing a Task Force to help shape the City's new Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program. The Task Force includes business owners, community leaders, and stakeholders who will provide input as the program is developed. The group will meet every Thursday.

The Task Force was created to help with Kansas City's new Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program following the City Council's approval of ordinances replacing the previous Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) Program.

"As we transition to our new Small Business Enterprise Program, it's essential that the people most affected by these decisions help write the next chapter," said Mayor Quinton Lucas. "The task force brings decades of experience and a deep commitment to making sure small businesses across Kansas City have a real shot at success."

Kansas City is committed to listening and working with the community throughout this process. The City will continue to gather feedback from business owners, entrepreneurs, and community organizations to understand their needs and challenges better.

"I appreciate the business and community leaders who have committed their time and expertise to serve on this advisory task force," said CREO Director Jaime Guillen. "Their experience and perspective will help us build a program that creates more opportunities for small businesses, strengthens our local economy, and meets the needs of Kansas City."

The SBE Program Task Force includes:

• Amy Slattery, Slattery Design
• Billy Gilreath, BMG Briccs
• Cathy Phillips, Realm Construction
• Cecilia Belser-Patton, Black Chamber of Commerce of Greater KC
• Christina Gunter, Gunter Construction
• Christine Lau Quigley, Made in KC
• CiCi Rojas, TICO Sports
• Julie Wellner, Wellner Architects
• Emily Marsh, Wellner Architects
• Harrel Johnson, Seven J's/Coach Johnson Realty
• Helen Ortiz Turley, Hispanic Chamber
• Jill Biesma, Environmental Advisors & Engineers
• Joe Davis, Custom Engineering
• KiKi Curls, Heavy Constructors
• Kim Davis, Heartland Black Chamber
• Lance Claiborne, The Builders AGC
• Leonard Graham and Nicki Chestnut, Taliaferro & Browne
• Mike Hughes, Mike Hughes Consulting Services
• Mindy Rocha, CJ Industries
• Nicki Chestnut, Taliaferro & Brown
• Sonia Garapaty, FSC Inc.
• Vestoria Simmons, BeautynBlingXOXO