Local nonprofit focused on K-12 taps $225K funding pipeline, spearheads ‘courageous conversations’
Kansas City, Mo. — Local nonprofit People of All Colors Succeed (POAC) has received three sizable grants totaling $225,000 from Blue KC ($150,000), Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation ($50,000) and Kansas City Credit Union ($25,000), opening future opportunities for workplace diversity education in the Kansas City area and beyond.
POAC’s founder and CEO, Jamie Grayson, started the organization in 2019 with the aim of combatting the unconscious biases that occurs in the workplace after a particular experience was brought to his attention. As the nonprofit gained traction through grassroots efforts, Grayson extended POAC’s platform to include an educational program for students in local K-12 schools.
Among other initiatives such as unconscious bias training, POAC provides education in starting “courageous conversations” around diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) in schools. Its program is centered around mutual respect, open group discussion and thought-provoking questions meant to highlight both differences and common ground. Grayson and his team engage with school districts around the KC metro area to offer hands-on education, training and action plan building, based on specific needs and desired outcomes. Today, POAC is contracted with six school districts and have several corporate partners supporting it’s efforts.
“POAC’s initial vision was to provide a platform for others to speak up when they felt things weren’t right, whether that be harmful language, retaliation or other forms,” Grayson said. “We quickly evolved to include schools so we could proactively equip students with real world learning that focuses on emotional intelligence around diversity — to prevent discriminatory and biased behavior before it even enters any environment, as well as workforce development training that helps increase students’ market value assets for future employment.”
Grayson comes from a background of 20 years in the financial services industry, including six as a VP of small business banking at Mazuma Credit Union. The passion behind his entrepreneurial journey was spurred by the loss of his sister to sickle cell anemia as a child. As her goal was always to bring others together for positive change, Grayson committed himself from that point onward to building a mission-driven organization to honor her memory.
POAC’s new funding allows Grayson to focus on this purposeful work as a full-time job. Among other growth opportunities, the two grants will enable POAC to extend programming to more schools in the Kansas City area.
“Blue KC is committed to making a difference in schools in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Macaela Stephenson, Blue KC’s Manager of Community Relations and Investment. “Bullying and discrimination have a tremendous effect on behavioral health and performance. We’re proud to join POAC in their mission to build diverse communities and a future free from biases.”
For more information on getting involved with POAC or sponsoring, contact Jamie Grayson at jamie@poacsucceed.com.
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About POAC
Founded in 2019, People of All Colors Succeed (POAC) is a community partner and pillar for change in Kansas City. The organization works with schools and businesses to empower individuals to break the unconscious biases that exist, and to encourage courageous conversations for change. Through understanding, open dialogue and inclusion, POAC builds healthier communities and a brighter future for our children. Learn more at poacsucceed.com.