The University of Missouri-Kansas City Swinney Center was transformed into an elegant reception hall for the first-ever UMKC Pride Luncheon. The UMKC tradition, which previously had been a breakfast, raises funds to support LGBTQIA+ students, allies, programs and scholarships.
Kansas City community members were in attendance, along with UMKC staff, faculty and students.
UMKC raised a record-breaking amount at this year’s Pride Luncheon, with more gifts still coming in. On top of that, former Missouri Senator Greg Razer also established a $40,000 endowment to be dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA+ students at the university. Razer said he hopes the gift will inspire a legacy of generosity.” “I was only able to go to college because someone else provided a full scholarship for me,” Razer said. “I am now paying that forward, and hope to inspire others to do so as well.”
Former Kansas City mayor and UMKC alumna Kay Barnes (M.A. '71, MPA '78) was honored at the luncheon with the C. Stephen Metzler Pride Champion Award, which recognizes an individual (LGBTQIA+ or ally) who embodies the legacy of Metzler (MBA ’76), who made Kansas City a better place for the LGBTQIA+ community through volunteerism, philanthropy and leading by example.
Barnes was known as a fierce ally of the community, regardless of the political and business risks, during her career in public office which included terms as county legislator, city council member, mayor and U.S. Congressional candidate. She is the only woman to have served as Kansas City’s mayor, serving from 1999 to 2007, and was one of two women in the Jackson County Legislature in 1974. Barnes is most known for spearheading the revitalization of downtown Kansas City through the construction of the T-Mobile (formerly Sprint) Center, the H&R Block headquarters and the Power and Light District.
“I am so proud of my relationship with UMKC,” Barnes said, as she accepted her award. “The students here are fortunate to be part of a wonderful university that has grown so much since I was a student here. Everyone in this room has a unique contribution to make in our university and our community. You each are valued, let’s keep the momentum going, we have so much more to accomplish together.”
As a trailblazer, Barnes is also a UMKC Starr Women’s Hall of Fame inductee. Her out-of-the-box thinking, assertiveness and devotion to public service led her to being nominated in 2014 and inducted in 2015. Barnes is senior director of university engagement at Park University.
“Kay Barnes is an inspirational figure in Kansas City, and we are excited to honor her with the C. Stephen Metzler Pride Champion Award,” UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal said. “Her determination to strive for equality, inclusivity and justice while elevating the city amazes all of us. We are glad she is deeply connected to UMKC and our community.”
Another former Kansas City mayor was also closely involved with this year’s Pride Luncheon. Former Mayor Sly James, who served from 2011 to 2019, was an honorary co-chair along with his business partner and former chief of staff Joni Wickham of Wickham James Strategies & Solutions.
The event co-chairs were Casey Simmons and S. Sloane Simmons who own A Store Named Stuff in Brookside, and Jonathan Gregory, UnitedHealth Group, and Eric Thomas, Zurich Insurance.
Ophelia Griffin, a junior in communication and former Student Government Association president, shared her experience of acceptance at the Pride Luncheon.
“It is a point of pride for many students like me that UMKC and its faculty and staff are fiercely committed to nurturing and sustaining an inclusive culture,” Griffin said. “UMKC lets us be our awesome, brave self. I’ve experienced being the first, but I am here to assure you that I am not the last. Know that UMKC and Kansas City are different. We do matter and are seen at this institution. We will always have a seat at the table at this wonderful, vibrant community.”
Former Missouri State Senator Jolie Justus (J.D. ’98) was also in attendance. She was the first openly gay member of the Missouri Senate, serving the 10th district from 2007-2015. Justus and Razer announced at the luncheon they had purchased the senate seat where they sat as the first two openly gay state senators in Missouri to donate to the Gay and Lesbian Archive of Mid-America (GLAMA) at the university.
The Pride Luncheon has raised more than $650,000 since 2015, showing the university’s continuous support and commitment to inclusivity on campus.