2024 MLK MASS CELEBRATION
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 6:00 PM
AT NEW LOCATION
JAMISON MEMORIAL TEMPLE, CME
3115 E Linwood Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64128
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Our Keynote Speaker
Ajamu Webster
Ajamu Webster has over 38 years of engineering experience with water and wastewater facilities, with emphasis on analysis and inspection, structural design, rehabilitation and renovation. He earned a M.S in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri (1986) and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Southern University Baton Rouge, LA (1980). Between creating strategies, fine tuning tactics, and leading his design teams, Ajamu dedicates much of his time inspiring future engineers in the Kansas City community through various engagement and outreach efforts through his Civil and Structural Engineering firm, DuBois Consultants, Inc., of which he is a founding member and served as President from 1988 to 2021.
Ajamu serves ad the Chair Of The Board of Directors for WeDevelopment Federal Credit Union which is a community-owned, not-for-profit, financial institution and exists solely to serve the community in financial matters. Services offered are to provide financial education, check cashing, checking and savings accounts, and auto and personal loans. We exist to serve our members and will provide prompt, courteous, customer service.
As a founding member of the Kansas City chapter of the National Black United Front, he served as Chairman from 1981 - 2019 and has helped negotiate an affirmative home lending agreement between NBUF and three area banks. He also has chaired both the Million Man March and the Thousand-Man March organizing committees. Additionally, Ajamu has supported the “Free South Africa” Movement by helping to organize boycotts against artists and entertainers who performed in South Africa in violation of ANC ban.
He is a founding member of:
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Simba na Falami Rites of Passage Program
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The City-Wide Kwanzaa Committee
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The ACE (African Centered Education) Taskforce
Ajamu is also a Co-founder of the Buy Black Empowerment Initiative, 2013 and has developed and taught the NBUF Leadership Training program (local and national), 2019 - 2021.
Ajamu's community involvement is extensive and includes:
National Black United Front – Kansas City Chapter, Chairperson Emeritus
W.E.B. DuBois Learning Center
Black Chamber of Commerce
Swope Corridor Renaissance
African Centered Education Taskforce (ACE)
Urban Summit
Egbe Omo Yoruba (Yoruba Club)
African American Council of Elders – Wichita, KS
WeDevelopment Federal Credit Union
Ajamu Webster has been married for more than 45 years to Kinda Webster and is the father of two daughters and one son. He is the grandfather of three grandsons and three granddaughters. Additionally, he has been awarded 5th Degree Black Belt in Goju-Ryu Karate, July 2000. He also is an Initiated priest of Ifa Yoruba Spiritual System of Nigeria, 2017. He is now retired and has been living in Cape Coast, Ghana with his wife, Kinda, since October 2022.
Congratulations to Our 2024 Award Recipients!
Community Service Award
In the late 80s and early 90s Ossco Bolton, III was the leader of a gang called the South Side Posse. The group initially came together to record rap songs, but the gang's musical aspirations stopped and the members got caught up in street violence. By 1993 Ossco had been shot three times and decided to become a mentor. He helped police and youth find ways to stop the violence. Ossco is now a motivational speaker, trainer, youth/gang specialist, and trained mediator who has helped feuding families solve their conflicts.
Special Recognition
Jermaine Reed has spent most of his life involved in public service, through community advocacy, elected office, and civic entrepreneurship. Following a youth marked by service in community and national leadership organizations—which prompted The Pitch to name him Kansas City’s “Best Student Activist”—he would become the youngest person ever elected to the Kansas City, Missouri, City Council. In his two terms, Reed spearheaded more than $300 million worth of investment in the 3rd District, including new grocery stores, a new police campus, increased public transit, and other major infrastructure projects.
Following his time on the City Council, Reed founded KGR Consultants, LLC, through which he leverages his city-government expertise to help a range of clients develop government-relations strategies. He also continues to serve in elected office, as a trustee of Metropolitan Community College and on the national board of the Association of Community College Trustees.
2023 Mass Celebration Highlights
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Southern Christian Leadership Conference
of Greater Kansas City
1101 Euclid Ave.,
Kansas City, MO 64127
Ph: 816.547.0719
Email: drhowardjr@yahoo.com
Rev. Dr. Vernon Percy Howard, Jr.
President
National Office
