From Broadway to a Vietnamese Coffee Shop: The Inspiring Journey of Jackie Nguyen

Jackie Nguyen is the founder of Café Cà Phê, Kansas City’s first and only Vietnamese coffee shop. Jackie joined the United WE Entrepreneurship Roundtable on April 18, 2024 and shared insights into the financial challenges she has faced as an entrepreneur. Today, she shares more about her journey to opening Café Cà Phê and the lessons she has learned along the way.

Q: Let's start with your background. Can you tell us about your professional journey and what led you to opening Café Cà Phê?

A: For over twelve years, my career was doing Broadway musicals. I got my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre from California State University, Fullerton and moved to New York where I lived for more than a decade. I toured nationally and internationally on many musicals, such as Hair, My Fair Lady, Miss Saigon and many more. 

The pandemic shut down my show in 2020, and I started selling coffee on the street to make some money and wait for auditions to start back up in New York. Almost four years later, I now have a Brick and Mortar coffee shop called Café Cà Phê in Columbus Park, a neighborhood in Kansas City. 

The pandemic forced me to pivot quickly, and I leaned into my strengths which were coffee, community, and culture. I was a barista all throughout high school and college, and whilst being a starving actor in New York City as well. My journey to opening Cafe Ca Phe came out of necessity and also, Kansas City  seemed to need it as much as I did. 

Q: How has your business evolved over the years?

A: I started by selling coffee at a fold up table every weekend, to a mobile cart that traveled all around Kansas City for a year and a half, and now I have an official Brick and Mortar in Columbus Park, not even half a mile away from the new KC Current Stadium. It has evolved from needing friends, to community, to safety, to now a budding movement. 

Q: What have been your biggest successes and biggest challenges?

A: This journey has blessed me with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. I'll start with my first low, which happened this year: not making payroll. It was in January during the crazy negative 22 degree weather. We weren't able to open, and the days we were able to, we barely made any money. I had to do a lot of borrowing and readjusting and pulling from all emergency funds to pay my staff. Even then, it was late. It was a scary, gut wrenching few weeks of complete and utter doubt in myself and my business. But, I survived and we are above water now! Whew! 

And now for the biggest success: being featured in Forbes. In August 2021, we were featured as COVID's Entrepreneur Explosion, with a two page feature on my business and its success during the craziest of times. To be selected and interviewed for Forbes was ABSOLUTELY CRAZY. It was the best honor! 

Are you working on any other projects outside of Café Cà Phê?

A few. I am dabbling in creating another project, but that is not in food. I'm also dipping my toes back into the arts, in some capacity. 

What do you enjoy most about being an entrepreneur?

I absolutely love making all the shots. I love being in a position to have visions, create a game plan, and execute it. And no one can say no! It truly is freedom to own your own business. After having to work under so many people who I just did not vibe with, this change is tremendously freeing. 

What advice do you have for female entrepreneurs who are just getting started? 

Jump in. Do not let fear hold you back in any capacity. Men do it all the time....like......that thought alone should propel you forward.

Ask all the questions. Go after your biggest goals. Find a mentor. Find the girl’s girls. Lastly, don’t worry about the haters. 

What do you enjoy doing outside of building your business?

Sleeping, playing with my dog, and shopping. 

Women Entrepreneurs Detail Harrowing Experiences with Banking Industry

“I own 51% of my company, but the bank only wants to talk to my husband.” That statement from our recent focus group with women entrepreneurs tells us loud and clear that women still face crippling gender bias when navigating the banking industry - even in the year 2024. United WE is dedicated to unlocking womens’ economic and civic leadership so digging into the barriers experienced by women entrepreneurs is a top priority for us. 

We’re no strangers to this topic, as we have examined the experience of women entrepreneurs in town halls, roundtable discussions and audio vignettes. Recently, United WE brought together a small group of women entrepreneurs for a focus group so that we could dig more deeply into how the banking industry itself has been a barrier when women entrepreneurs started their businesses. Our focus group included women entrepreneurs from all walks of life and a variety of industries - from telecommunications, fashion, and early childhood education to architecture and hospitality. However the thread woven between all of these entrepreneurs was the fact that each of them, at some point, had struggled with banking institutions. 

As we discussed particular issues they faced with the banking industry, several key areas rose to the top for these women:

• Gender and racial bias in banking 

• Lack of a relationship with a banker

• Digital banking versus in person banking 

• Securing start up capital

• Accessing credit (such credit cards or a line of credit)

• Discomfort with finance/banking 

“Bank managers need to be more relatable and cognizant of the different industries,” we heard from another participant. “I simply didn’t have access to capital,” said another. “On top of that, my company often doesn’t get paid for work until 3-6 months later [after the work is completed]. I actually had to put up my house as collateral.” One first-time business owner said she needed direction and guidance from a banker but felt like she was getting the runaround regarding who to talk to and where to go. “Sometimes you just don’t know what you don’t know. It would be nice to have someone guiding you through the process.”

As a result of this focus group, United WE will be developing a toolkit for women entrepreneurs to use as they start their business up and as they navigate the first five years of their entrepreneurial journey. Be the first to see this toolkit by following us on social media and signing up for our newsletter.

It’s our hope that focus groups like these lead to sustainable, long-term changes that unlock opportunity for all women. 

Why Representation Matters

“Large Childcare Center Plan Shot Down in Southington” – Patch, Southington, CT

“How many Columbus people are unhoused? The Community Shelter Board releases annual count” – Columbus Dispatch, Ohio

“Housing board backs more infrastructure, including support for dozens of new homes in Milbank: Around half of $200 million fund awarded in four months” – South Dakota Searchlight

These headlines, pulled from news outlets around the country, all have one thing in common – they show the countless ways that local appointed boards and commissions make critical decisions that affect our lives. But our new national research suggests that critical viewpoints are missing on many of these boards and commissions: the viewpoints of women.

In the first national study of its kind, we collected data on thousands of board members in cities in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia. Our analysis found that women fill only 39% of these cities’ board seats. Our analysis also found that women have less representation on some boards than on others. You can read the full study, with all of our findings here.

Why does this matter? In a perfect world, every public servant would understand the needs of all the members of their community, and would advocate equally for all those needs. In reality, this is not the case. We need reflective representation to ensure that all voices are heard. Reflective representation in an elected or appointed body is representation that reflects the demographics of the community it serves. Women make up about 50% of the population in most communities. So, we would say that gender composition on a board, council or legislature is more “reflective” as women make up closer to 50% of that body. Similarly, we could look at other demographics of a community to see if its elected and appointed positions reflect the diversity of the community in terms of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, etc.

Scholars have identified numerous ways that women’s presence on decision-making bodies impacts the decisions that body makes.

• First, some research suggests that - to put it simply - women get things done. When more women make up a party’s leadership, that party is more likely to fulfill its election promises. In Congress, women sponsor more bills and secure more discretionary spending than their male counterparts, and spend more time on constituency service.

• Second, women’s involvement in politics inspires engagement and confidence from other women. “...[W]omen know more, care more, and talk more about politics when they see more women running for and occupying public office,” write Beth Reingold and Jessica Harrell from Emory University. This is particularly true among women voters who are of the same party as women politicians. Researchers at the University of New Mexico found that when there are more women in state legislatures, women in those states are more likely to say that state officials care what they think – a measure of how responsive they think the government is to their needs. Women in office also inspire new generations to serve; girls’ exposure to women politicians makes them more likely to indicate intentions to be politically active in the future.

• Finally, various studies have found that women in office are more likely to sponsor, vote for or adopt policies related to issues that are particularly salient for women, a phenomenon called “substantive representation.” Women engage more on policy related to women’s health, women’s economic and social well-being, and women’s rights. A 2016 analysis of 151,824 bills introduced in the U.S. House over a 40-year period found women taking the lead on bills about housing; civil rights; labor, employment and immigration; education; and law, crime, and family. Taken together, this body of literature suggests that women are more attentive to the lived experiences of other women and understand how those experiences translate into particular policy needs and priorities.

Most of the research on reflective representation looks at women’s presence in elected office. Yet there’s plenty of reason to believe that women’s representation matters on local appointed boards, too. The headlines above show that every day, local appointed boards and commissions make decisions about issues that affect our lives. Many of these issues, like childcare, disproportionally affect women – making it even more important that women’s voices are present where decisions are being made. For these reasons, 39% simply isn’t good enough. 

It is important to note that although the research exposes the gap, progress is being made through our Appointments Project, which offers training and resources that inspire and equip women to serve. Hundreds of women have participated in the program, and many participants have been appointed to boards and commissions. 

As we move forward, we must continue to strive to build societies where local appointed boards and commissions reflect the diversity that is present in our communities. Our report contains a number of recommendations for making this happen. Together, we can make reflective representation a reality in local government. 

Professional Growth on Pause: A Military Wife’s Story of Child Care Barriers

One Woman’s Work and Life Goals Put on Hold Due to Lack of Child Care

Brittney Lemelle’s world completely changed the moment she had her daughter. For starters, they both nearly lost their lives during childbirth. As a military wife, Brittney had worked hard her entire life to become independent, yet she still felt drawn to becoming a stay-at-home mom.  

Just under 2 pounds at birth, her daughter is now 11 years old and Brittney has since had two more healthy daughters. Needless to say, they are a house full of strong women. 

When she was ready to return to work, Brittney and her husband had to make a choice for her to stay home longer due to not being able to afford child care expenses. At the time, Brittney was not aware of child care alternative payment programs she may have qualified for through the state, and she also wasn't aware of child care assistance through the military. 

Once she found out about Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN), a fee assistance program for eligible families, she sat on waitlists for YEARS without progress. There were never any openings for her three daughters. This stopped Brittney from going back into the workforce, which she was seeking for her own mental health. 

“How can I go back to work and make less than what I owe in child care expenses?” questioned Brittney. “How can I do that, even though I have a Master of Education degree?”

Dishes piled up. She grew angry and upset. And she started to feel resentful of her husband's booming career in the military. Every time they moved, his status with his work improved, but Brittney was forced to start over. 

They didn't have family and friend support like many other military families. They also had the extra complication of being a family that never stayed long enough to build trusting connections until it was time to move to the next spot. On occasion, once they did have an opportunity to establish trusting and loving friends, it was yet again time to go. 

This cycle was put on repeat – over and over and over again. Brittney’s ability to go back to work and her dreams of growing professionally were significantly halted. 

At long last, Brittney was able to go back to work. Then less than two years later…COVID hit. Since her pay was so low, she was again forced to make the decision to stay home with her children – who she loves dearly – but it was a hard transition for her. Her professional growth had been stopped in its tracks once again. 

Then in January 2022, she finally picked back up to work with a company who had TOOTRiS, a child care platform that offers employer-sponsored child care benefits. This gave her extra money to use toward child care expenses and made her paycheck worth going back to work!

Since then, her husband has had to leave the military due to medical reasons (after serving 19 years) – and all the sacrifices Brittney made as a military spouse felt tragically lost. 

Brittney dedicated so many years to supporting her husband, and now they both have not been able to accomplish what they wanted. Despite the odds against them, they have slowly picked up the pieces and her husband is starting on another career. 

Brittney’s story is far from over. Brittney hopes she can continue to grow in her current role, and also help other women do the same so they don't have to sacrifice their life goals. 

Brittney is just one of the many stories about barriers to child care. Do you have a story to share? Send it to us here.

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United WE believes investing in military families’ ability to fully participate in the workforce is a fitting tribute to those individuals who chose to serve their communities. We have had great success in achieving policy reform for occupational licensing, including reducing barriers to licensing and licensing reciprocity (when one state honors professional licenses of another) for military spouses.Our work also includes a deliberate effort to acknowledge the struggles of frontline, veteran and survivor families. We have supported bills and expansions for pursuing higher education -- without the burden of tuition or debt -- to the children and spouses of veterans or first responders who lost their life or were injured in the line of duty. In addition, our 2015 study and report, Project Diane, focused on the barriers faced by women in the military as well as the potential benefits of gender integration in the U.S. Army Special Forces. We have supported bills and expansions for pursuing higher education.

My male coworker’s salary was 87% more than mine in the same role!

Author: Karleen Knuth, Retired Director, Lean Management Business Partner at Sun Life | Founder and Owner of The Finishing Institute

United WE believes women deserve equal pay for equal work and is committed to closing the gender pay gap for women and their families. This is one of the reasons I’m a supporter of the work United WE is doing.

Big Promotion, Small Increase

 One of the biggest gender parities that impacted me occurred when my employer went through a large reorganization. They decentralized their operations and created smaller business units with all the different functions under one leader. They touted we would be like a “mini-CEO” of our own organization.

You can imagine how thrilled I was to be selected to lead one of these new, mini businesses! It was a big job with a lot of travel. I was responsible for offices in Minnesota, Nebraska, Texas and Wisconsin. I looked forward to the challenge of learning about all the new functions under my leadership and making changes to increase profits. 

I received a standard promotional increase at the time. I don’t recall exactly how much it was, maybe 5%-10%. Nothing significant. I just remember it wasn’t what I was expecting given my new responsibilities. But, things were moving fast during the reorganization, and the Board of Directors had not yet approved the new roles or salaries.

Gender Pay Gap

During the budget process, I discovered a male coworker doing the same job as me was making 87% more! You read that correctly. He was making nearly twice as much as me. Not to mention, I was outperforming him.

I had never advocated for a raise before. But I knew I had a good case because my performance was exceptional, and I had the data to show the pay gap. 

I presented my case and received a $10,000 raise. That still did not get me close to pay equity. But, I was 31 years old and didn’t have the confidence to advocate for more.

Salary Negotiation Tips

Since then, I have learned how to negotiate my salary, which is critical because most everything else in the future is based on a percentage of salary, e.g. merit increases and bonuses, Here are my tips:

1. Know your value. What extensive experience or exceptional abilities do you bring to the table? Employers will pay for value.

2. Do not provide your salary history. Why? Because women have historically been underpaid compared to men, you could be starting at a disadvantage. Did you know that some cities and states are passing laws prohibiting employers from asking about salary history when determining salary? Kansas City, Missouri has passed such a law. This is one way to help bridge the pay gap.

3. Instead, ask what the range is for the position. Do your own research too so you know how it compares. If the salary isn’t in your range, ask if there are other responsibilities that could be added to the role to get the salary closer to your needs.

I’m so grateful for the work United WE is doing so other women don’t have to fight as hard for equal pay.

Donor Feature: Celebrating Ambassador, Changemaker & Appointee Peggy Amor

Meet Peggy: Mom, Volunteer, Marketing Professional and PTA President.

While saying she is busy may be a captain-obvious statement, she still finds time to give back to organizations that she deeply believes in, like United WE.

“I was initially drawn to United WE by the Appointments Project®. It is such a specific and successful program that I continue to be impressed by,” said Peggy. “In fact, United WE's presence in my life contributed to my confidence to apply for and serve on, several boards in my local municipality. Also, I am a data nerd, and I relied on their research around paid family leave to pitch changes at my previous workplaces.” 

Peggy now does freelance marketing for architecture and engineering firms so understands the importance of brand promotion. She became a United WE Ambassador in 2021 to help share the story of United WE, and a few short months later felt compelled to make a tangible impact so became a United WE Changemaker through a monthly gift.

“I was inspired to become a Changemaker because the work happening has a history of being critical to impacting actual policy change in our local states. I also appreciate UnitedWE's steadfast commitment to the work and I know it will only lead to more success in the future. The Changemaker commitment level is a small price to pay to be a part of this important work.” 

Join Peggy and become a United WE Changemaker and help impact the important work being done to remove barriers for women.

Why Aren’t Women Business Owners Getting the Support They Need? Our Economy Depends On It.

In business, relationships matter. This is the case for any organization, including small businesses, but the magnitude cannot be understated for women business owners. The impact of relationships is so vital, the creation of a small business hinging on a banking institution loaning money to get the business off the ground. 

Women business owners face this type of barrier every day. We know this – because at United WE, we talk to them – but more importantly, we listen.

Recently, a woman entrepreneur told our organization she was turned down by 22 banks and finally received a loan from bank number 23. Only two of the bankers explained why she was declined, with one citing the need for a husband to support the business, and another suggesting she allow the bank to manage her money and that she should get a traditional job.

Over the past couple years, we’ve held town hall meetings across Kansas and Missouri as an opportunity for women and allies to share their experiences. We constantly hear from women that limited business resources, damaging cultural norms and networks have negatively impacted their business endeavors. 

The findings are published as research reports in our United WE Institute with next step recommendations to address the barriers women are experiencing.

Access to Capital for Women Entrepreneurs

We learned women lack fruitful relationships with banking institutions – indicating that relationships are most commonly transactional in nature. From our town hall research, 66% of Kansas women describe the relationship with their financial institution as transactional vs. 34% who categorize it as relational.

This lack of relationships with banking institutions affects women’s ability to access capital when forming businesses and limits their awareness of important financial information and resources to grow and sustain businesses.

• One town hall participant from Garden City, Kansas said, “…I got laughed at when I tried to get capital from financial institutions for my business, so I had to open several credit cards.” 

• Another participant in Wichita, Kansas said, “…the banks don’t take women business owners seriously.”

In Missouri, more than 60% of women surveyed were interested in starting a business. Yet, women from the town halls talked about receiving very little to no support from others when starting businesses and access to affordable benefits being a barrier to getting started.

A Roundtable Revealed More Barriers

To further expand on what we heard in our town halls, we partnered with the Center for American Entrepreneurship on a roundtable with women entrepreneurs to dive deeper into understanding the barriers they face. The session focused on many issues like mentoring, peer support, and the issue of inequitable treatment by banks.

The session revealed many issues, including challenges with women-owned businesses in male-dominated industries, the desire for male and female mentors to launch and scale business, lack of access to capital (especially from large banks), and a desire to provide great benefits and professional development without absorbent costs. Read here for a report that further details the learnings, insights and next steps from the roundtable event.

Change Must Happen Now

Small businesses are the engine to our economy, and we must support women business owners. According to the McKinsey Global Institute, Kansas and Missouri’s economies stand to grow by 10-15% by 2025 if women’s participation in the labor force is boosted.

On average, women business owners believe they will achieve equal access to capital by 2031. That’s not soon enough. Change will not come far enough or fast enough unless we intentionally focus on creating opportunities for prospective business owners, particularly those underrepresented in entrepreneurship today.

We will never achieve true economic prosperity in this country without women. As the daughter and granddaughter of small business women, I feel it is a privilege and my responsibility to lead an organization that works to empower even more women to achieve their dreams. 

At United WE, we are taking action and will continue to be a leading voice in our region by removing barriers for women and advocating for policies that support women’s economic development.

After all, our economy depends on it.

America, It’s Time To Face Our National Childcare Crisis

Access to childcare is a cascading crisis - a situation that was at its breaking point before the pandemic and loosely held together with pandemic-era relief funding. 

September 30, 2023 was a critical day this year. It marked the end of federal childcare funding, which provided immediate cash relief for childcare centers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now that critical childcare funding has expired and sent America over a “childcare cliff,” the potential effects could be disastrous for families, the economy and especially women.

The fact of the matter is that our childcare system was already crumbling. The pandemic and the cliff simply brought it to light for our nation. Today and in the future, you will see more policymakers running on the platform of childcare and more media coverage laying out the impact on families. 

Families and Entrepreneurs Brace For What’s Next
The end of the childcare funding has raised concern amongst parents and business owners alike. As this critical support system came to a halt, many working parents - especially female entrepreneurs - found themselves grappling with the impact it will have on their families. 

Over the coming months, parents will likely see an increase in childcare costs as entities work to replace the financial support provided by the federal funding. Add on inflation and the current state of our economy, and we’re about to see our nation’s childcare situation go from bad to worse. 

United WE Takes Action
You should know by now our organization does anything but sit idle. We are determined to push the United States to the next generation of childcare policy solutions. Our influence here in the Midwest can and will serve as a model to drive positive change for America. 

As part of our two-year Women’s Entrepreneur Childcare Project, United WE has formed a childcare commission of national leaders and is also conducting a nationwide survey of mothers who are entrepreneurs. The survey will help us better understand the childcare needs and barriers for mothers who are entrepreneurs in a post COVID-19 environment. 

National Leaders Form Commission 
The United WE Commission on Childcare and Women’s Entrepreneurship is a critical component of the Women’s Entrepreneur Childcare Project, an effort funded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, that will generate new policy ideas in the heartland to reduce the childcare barriers limiting women’s entrepreneurship.

The Commission will share unique perspectives and expertise to increase access to childcare and help identify possible solutions to promote women’s entrepreneurship by increasing access to childcare. 

We are delighted to be welcoming our commission of national leaders to Kansas City, Missouri, in early November for an inaugural meeting about the critical childcare crisis. During this gathering we will engage in generative workshops, present new research, foster discussion in a rich small-group setting and tour a childcare program.

The Path Ahead
The path ahead is not going to be easy, but we are determined to improve the childcare crisis. By convening leaders from around the nation we will elevate childcare as the critical workforce development strategy that it is. Together, we will generate new policy ideas about childcare barriers limiting women’s entrepreneurial risk taking and make recommendations to elected officials, business, and community leaders for solutions that increase access to childcare.

If you’d like to join the cause, become a Changemaker today. Monthly donors fuel our research and advocacy efforts. Be a part of our innovative and nonpartisan plan to solve the childcare crisis. 

Presentation Tips with Carolyn Buck Luce

Carolyn Buck Luce is the Founder of Imaginal Labs, an organization dedicated to helping business owners find their power to connect it to a larger purpose within their business and themselves.

In this short audio vignette, Carolyn discusses using your power and purpose and communicating it through how you present.

Tune in to hear:

-       How to find your power and purpose

-       How to authentically show up

-       How to be present and get out of your head when presenting

This audio is part of a partnership with the National Association of Women Business Owners to help educate women on how to make a positive impact and build skills that will benefit their communities and businesses. Learn more and listen to more audio vignettes in this series here. 

Lobbying Your Elected Official with Jaclyn Tacoronte

Jaclyn Tacoronte is the CEO and owner of JMT Media in New York City.

In this short audio vignette, Jaclyn talks about her journey of discovering her identity and culture, and how she lobbied her elected officials to pass legislation to change the term minorities to also include Native Americans.

Tune in to hear Jaclyn’s journey as a business owner, and her tips for other business owners, and er process for lobbying her elected official to make meaningful change.

This audio is part of a partnership with the National Association of Women Business Owners to help educate women on how to make a positive impact and build skills that will benefit their communities and businesses. Learn more and listen to more audio vignettes in this series here. 

Donor Feature: Rachel Hack Merlo

“I was glad my co-workers were able to attend We Work for Change to experience why I think United WE is such a good investment,” said Rachel Hack Merlo, Head of Government and Community Affairs – Central Region at Google Fiber. “And to hear Mara Liasson, who’s such an accomplished journalist, echo back United WE’s research really says a lot about the work being done by the organization.”

You likely have met or seen Rachel Hack Merlo in the Kansas City community as she has worked with countless organizations across Kansas City and in other markets in her 12 years at Google Fiber. They have focused on expanding digital equity through increased internet access, access to reliable devices, and access to meaningful training opportunities.

“I have witnessed firsthand women starting businesses online and completing online education programs,” said Hack Merlo. “Google Fiber is also a workplace that encourages women advancing in leadership and career approaches.”

“As a Latina professional, I believe United WE presents opportunities for engagement with key influencers representing different facets of economic and civic investment. I hope to use my engagement to make sure our voice is heard in the many efforts of United WE.”

After following our work for a few years, Hack Merlo personally became a United WE Trailblazer because she was fired up about the growing scarceness women in Kansas and Missouri are experiencing when it comes to access of the most valued rights like pay equity, voting, healthcare, paid family leave and childcare.

“United WE cares about issues I care about,” said Hack Merlo. “The world can leave us feeling overwhelmed and powerless at times. United WE presents an effective model to direct my energy and resources, plus meet other women who feel just as strongly about taking action.” 

She said that United WE has the head and heart to get things done so it’s easy to support so that together we can see progress.

As a mom to two young boys, she appreciates that United WE recognizes and stresses the importance of men as allies in helping to overcome barriers women face. “I am raising my boys to value kindness and respect toward all people, and to prioritize taking action when they are in a position to do so, and it matters to me that they know women are equal partners in economic and civic leadership.”

And make no mistake, it will take all of us –women, men, corporations, organizations, government officials –to transform gender equity and create necessary change. It’s time to get to work.    

Please consider supporting the work of United WE. Along with support from great corporations like Google Fiber, we also need contributions of support from individuals to ensure we can continue to advance gender equity.

Listening for Change

I am pleased to share that We Work for Change 2023 was nothing short of incredible! Thanks to our event leadership, sponsors, team, volunteer board members, and more than 1,100 attendees, we raised $$708,282  to fuel our mission. Every year, I am humbled and grateful for the community that shows up to help further our work of gender equity. 

 I’d like to give a special thank you to Bank of America for their ongoing support. This year marks their sixth year as presenting sponsor of We Work for Change. 

If you attended the event, either virtual or in-person, you know that our theme was “United WE Listen.” As I think back over our work, I've had the honor to listen to countless women, and I’m convinced listening is the most important thing we can do to create change.

So…what does change sound like?

• Equal pay sounds like the jingling of extra coins in a pocket.

• Entrepreneurship is the sound of the clinking of glasses during the toast at a grand opening.

• Childcare is the laughter of children in a preschool, full of joy and potential.

• Occupational licensing is the sound of a key, unlocking the door to a new home or office.

• Paid family leave is a sigh of relief, knowing that you can take time off to care for your loved one, and still have a job when you return.

• Civic engagement is the confident voice of a woman swearing to protect our United States Constitution.

And then there's the cheering of thousands of voices for the Kansas City Current, united in the first soccer stadium built for women in the world.  Can you hear it? This is the sound of our work, your work, and the work of research, solutions, and results. 

Many of you heard me announce our newest endeavor at the event - the United WE Institute.

Building off years of robust research, the United WE Institute will be a first-of-its-kind centralized hub for our research and policy work across the Midwest and beyond. Convening important regional and national conversations, The Institute will elevate the voices of women, and advance non-partisan policies. Like so many of our initiatives, the United WE Institute will serve as a model for the rest of the country. 

I want to mention one more thing about the sound of change – change is sometimes confrontational, and uncomfortable. In my mind, it sounds like a healthy, respectful debate and civil discourse. These are opportunities to listen, so we can better understand each other, and our issues, and find common ground. We don't have to like everything we hear, and we don't always have to agree. But we cannot tune out, because if we do - we lose the chance to solve any issues for women and their families… including the ones on which we already agree.

At We Work for Change, we heard from a number of leaders who are working for change… including our special guest Mara Liasson, someone who has dedicated her career to listening, storytelling, and amplifying the voices of others. It’s through these stories that we can truly understand issues, and craft solutions together. 

I challenge each and every one of you to listen with your ears, your brains, and your hearts. Be open to connecting with the words and feelings that others here convey. When something resonates or strikes a chord, let it inspire you to learn more, engage more, and consistently work for change.  And, of course, make a donation.

United WE Listen is not just a theme; it's a call to action. It's a reminder that change is not a distant echo but a tangible reality that gets closer with every footstep of reconsideration and new perspectives.

As we move forward, let's do so with a shared commitment to listen, empathize, and act. Let the sound of change be our guide, our motivation, and our constant reminder that united, we are stronger.

Gratefully,

Finding the Right Mentor with Tiffany Dufu

Tiffany Dufu is the founder and CEO of The Cru, a mentorship matching program that helps women meet one another and collaborate to meet their goals. 

 In this short audio vignette, Tiffany talks about the power of mentorship and tips for finding the right mentor for you. 

 Tune in to hear:

• Tiffany’s definition of mentorship 

• Her sure fire way of recruiting a mentor

• The one tip a mentor gave that changed the trajectory of her life

This audio is part of a partnership with the National Association of Women Business Owners to help educate women on how to make a positive impact and build skills that will benefit their communities and businesses. Learn more and listen to more audio vignettes in this series here. 

Taking the First Step in Your Civic Journey with Sarah White

Sarah White is a restauranteur and civic leader. She manages multiple restaurants in Virginia and recently ran for State Delegate.

In this short audio vignette, Sarah share the key strategies for building confidence to make change in your community. She discussed her journey from a small town to running for a state position. 

She talks about the importance of:

• Surrounding yourself with people who have already done what you want to do 

• Never letting the “Boys Club” stop you 

• Being the one to step up to do something 

• Understanding the sweet spot that is the overlap between business and personal 

• Finding something you are passionate about

This audio is part of a partnership with the National Association of Women Business Owners to help educate women on how to make a positive impact and build skills that will benefit their communities and businesses. Learn more and listen to more audio vignettes in this series here.

Donor Feature: Jamie Eaton

After spending 16 years in Washington D.C., Jamie Eaton, was particularly interested to hear that Mara Liasson would be coming in September to Kansas City as a keynote speaker for We Work for Change: United WE Listen.

“Mara is a respected leader with a pulse on the political scene, which has always been an interest of mine, and with the impending 2024 election, it is important that women are engaged,” said Eaton.

In fact, Eaton made the decision to purchase a sponsorship as an individual because it was not only an opportunity to attend a powerful event live and be surrounded by like-minded individuals, but it allowed participation as a Trailblazer as well.

“Becoming a Trailblazer had been on my mind since last summer after attending a KC Current reception that was very inspiring. The opportunity to join others who believe in reaching gender equity and expand my connections is enticing,” said Eaton. “In thinking about how to distribute my charitable dollars, sponsorship allows me to attend an amazing event and remain engaged throughout the year with the important work of United WE.”

Eaton first became engaged with United WE during Covid when she heard about the Appointments Project® while scrolling social media. She immediately signed up with the network and began her civic journey by learning about the many board opportunities to serve in her community. She believes strongly that women must learn to use their voice and speak up.

“When I was working in national security, I was often one of few women in the room, but we had a job to get done so you had to be confident and share your intel and perspective. I quickly learned you must advocate for yourself because no one else will.”

Eaton believes that what United WE is doing on all fronts, especially in encouraging and teaching women to be unintimated at the table, is key to transforming women’s equity.

She said that the Appointments Project and the webinars held are key to igniting this effort. Eaton has also taken advantage of other United WE live events like the Women in Politics Townhall Event in July held with American Public Square as well as past We Work for Change. She enjoys the various opportunities offered by United WE to connect with other like-minded individuals, especially others who care about their community as much as she does. She is a compassionate and caring community member who wants to make a difference and hopes to inspire others to join her.  

“You can’t think things aren’t going to affect you. Because they are. Eventually,” said Eaton. “Women need the opportunity to be leaders and to be around the decision tables. I believe women can fix our world, if given the opportunity.”

Join us on Sept. 26 to LISTEN to Mara Liasson. Sponsorships are still available at https://united-we.org/wwfc2023.    

Civic Boards and Commissions Lack Data, Research, Gender Parity, Racial Diversity and Interest

About the Author: Dr. Anita Manion is Assistant Professor of Political Science and an Affiliate Faculty Member in Gender Studies at University of Missouri–St. Louis. Along with Dr. Sapna Varkey, Dr. David Kimball and Jake Shaw, Dr. Manion conducted research on gender parity and racial diversity across boards and commissions in Missouri municipalities. Read the findings in our Gender Parity on Civic Boards and Commissions in Missouri Research Report. 

Over the last year, I had the opportunity to study municipalities across Missouri. In partnership with United WE and my research associates, our task was to understand gender parity and racial diversity —or lack thereof — on civic boards and commissions. Together, we produced the Gender Parity on Civic Boards and Commissions in Missouri Research Report. This project in itself is unique as there are very few studies examining boards and commissions. 

Lack of Research

As my co-researcher and colleague Dr. Sapna Varkey has said, “I remain surprised by the fact that researchers and public and private entities are not interested in collecting data and understanding how under-representation plays out. I have even heard some researchers say, ‘We know white men are in power, what’s the point in documenting it.’ Without effort to understand what’s going on, it will be difficult to change the status quo.”

Jake Shaw, another co-researcher said, “I remain shocked by how unavailable data on municipal boards and commissions remain across Missouri. The fact that many Missourians are unable to easily see what boards and commissions serve their community, much less who serves on them, perpetuates a cycle of disproportionate representation for women and racial and ethnic minorities. How can residents be well represented if they don’t even know a board or commission exists?”

Although we might have had a hunch that there was not equitable representation on boards and commissions, we now have the data to talk to Missouri decision makers and community members to make change. 

Lack of Gender Parity and Racial Diversity

It’s true. Our research reveals a lack of gender parity on civic boards and commissions. In fact, only 36.9% of board and commission seats are filled by women. My co-researcher and colleague Dr. David Kimball says, "This is yet another domain of public service where women are underrepresented.”

That was not shocking to us, but we were surprised to see which municipalities’ gender parity lacked the most. Municipalities with populations of under 3,000 are closer to gender parity on their boards and commissions than more populous municipalities. We expected that bigger cities with larger populations to recruit from would be able to achieve higher levels of gender equity — but that did not prove to be true.

Beyond gender representation, I also wanted to dig deeper to see what representation looked like by race as well as the intersection of race and gender. Examining the disparity on stereotypically masculine ‘power boards’ as well as stereotypically feminine boards was also important to me, and an area with a lot of opportunity for improvement. When we look at the overall numbers, board members are not representative of the population, but when it comes to power boards that are particularly influential and wield financial resources, there are even fewer women, and we find that they are overwhelmingly composed of white members. This presents an opportunity for elected officials to be intentional about diversifying the power boards and commissions in particular. 

What Now? 

There is a lack of research and a lack of gender parity and racial diversity across Missouri boards and commissions. Is that due to a lack of interest? Perhaps. I believe it’s more likely that it is due to a lack of awareness.

I encourage Missouri municipalities to review this report and begin working towards change. United WE will be sharing the data at the Missouri Municipalities League Annual Conference in September.

The level of response that we have already seen from women in various communities gives me hope that this research can make a real-world impact on improving gender and racial parity on boards and commissions. We had great conversations with women in Springfield, Missouri, when we previewed the research, and I look forward to continuing those discussions in other communities. I am even feeling inspired to look into serving on a board or commission myself!

Like the women who came before us, we need to continue to identify where these disparities exist and to make the effort to step up and serve, and to encourage and support other women and people of color to serve. Our communities are better when we have diverse voices at the tables of power.

If you aren’t able to serve at this time, maybe you have a friend, colleague, or family member who would be a good fit to serve on a board or commission. Encourage them to apply! This is our chance to help shape the way our communities function. 

Start your civic leadership journey today by joining United WE’s Appointments Project®. 

Negotiating Tips with Katie Nelson

Katie Nelson, aka, “The Sales Catalyst” is an expert sales coach and speaker. Her tips will help you feel more confident while navigating a negotiation.

In this audio vignette, Katie remind us that we have been negotiating our whole lives, whether we realize it or not. She breaks down the skillset into two simple parts: “You” and “Them”.

Katie is owner and creator of Sales Uprising, a business consulting firm with a mission to bring th fun back into sales. 

Listen now to hear:

• How to feel safe during negotiations

• The importance of the word “no” during negotiations

• Recognizing a good deal 

This audio is part of a partnership with the National Association of Women Business Owners to help educate women on how to make a positive impact and build skills that will benefit their communities and businesses. Learn more and listen to more audio vignettes in this series here.

Executive Presence with Audra Christie

Audra Christie is the founder and CEO of Mindset Change Coaching. She specializes in helping newly appointed leaders transition into their first C-Suite position, and helps leaders claim their Executive Presence.

In this short audio vignette, Audra explains a concept we all may be aware of, but have never put a name to: Executive Presence. Many leaders think they have Executive Presence but wonder why they’re invisible within their company. As a result, you get passed up for promotion over and over again.

Listen now to hear:

• What executive presence is and why it is important as a leader

• Exercises on how to determine if you have executive presence and how to shift our mindsets to have executive presence

• How to position ourselves as leaders in any room we walk into

This audio is part of a partnership with the National Association of Women Business Owners to help educate women on how to make a positive impact and build skills that will benefit their communities and businesses. Learn more and listen to more audio vignettes in this series here.

Coming Together to Get More Women in Appointed and Elected Positions

We can all agree some things are just meant to be together. For instance, a few of my favorites include:

Peanut butter & jelly…

Barbie & her male ally Ken…

Movies & popcorn… 

Women & Civic Leadership.

There are certain combinations whose value is greater than the sum of their parts. When we all work together and embrace partnerships, the resulting impact is powerful.

This is certainly the case for our partnership with American Public Square. Together, we hosted a town hall-style discussion about today’s political climate and how it impacts women’s decisions to engage in civic leadership. The event had more than 120 women and men registered and was moderated by Missouri State Representatives Jamie Johnson and Patty Lewis, and Kansas State Representative Laura Williams.

Did you know? Many women view the current political climate as a major barrier to running for office and engaging in civic leadership. Let me repeat that…public discourse is deterring many women from putting themselves out there for public office.

During the town hall, we listened as participants talked through barriers that keep women from wanting to get involved. Examples included ageism, self-selection, poor representation, and campaign attacks.

However, the conversation also included stories of resilience and hope.

(left to right: MO Representative Patty Lewis, MO Representative Jamie Johnson, KS Representative Laura Williams)

-          “I didn’t see a ton of young people getting involved in politics. I didn't see myself getting into politics. But when I opened a small business and I realized that the government can work hand-in-hand with your business or stifle progress, I wanted to be able to help.” – Kansas State Representative Laura Williams

-          “If we can encourage more people to run from different backgrounds, we can all bring a different perspective to the table.” – Missouri State Representative Patty Lewis

-          “It doesn’t matter what you choose, politics will choose you if it wants to and if you’re open to it.” – Missouri State Representative Jamie Johnson

Our research tells us that women have an interest in civic leadership and are qualified, but we need to help support them, prepare them, and ask them to serve. Women are more successful when they have a mentor while running for office.

This event was powerful and inspirational. There was an electric charge in the room that ignited the group and encouraged women from all backgrounds to get involved. That spark is what we need to light a fire to motivate women to run for office or serve in appointed civic leadership positions.

But, how can we spread that flame far and wide?

At We Work For Change on September 26th, we’re gathering hundreds of women and allies across the country to hear one of the nation’s most high-profile and truth seeking political journalists, Mara Liasson, to talk about the important role media, politics and civil discourse play in our lives. Mara will share her extensive knowledge of politics, current events, and her experience as a woman leader in the media.

We Work For Change is an event worth traveling to Kansas City for. Let’s continue the conversation to get more women in appointed and elected positions while also embracing the power of partnership.

I’ll see you there.

Intern Highlight: Jamie Schenck

Jamie Schenck is a summer policy intern with United WE and a rising junior at William Jewell College. She is studying Political Science and International Relations and is a member of the Honors College of Critical Thinking. Her extracurricular involvement includes the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority, the William Jewell Dance Team, the Jewell Democrats, and Student Senate. She is a passionate learner and loves being involved in her school community.

As a woman who’s been interested in politics for as long as I can remember, I wanted to intern with United WE to encourage more women like me to get involved in civic leadership. I was raised in a family that told me I could achieve absolutely anything I put my mind to, including running for office if that happens to be in my future.

However, as I’ve entered spaces with more women that have the same interests and experience as me, I’ve noticed that this mindset is rare. So many women who have the potential to run for elected positions in their community, or at the state and county levels don’t think about it as a possibility. And this may not be due to anyone discouraging them or any kind of outward misogyny they’ve faced. In fact, I’m sure that many of my peers, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances have never heard that they are qualified and have the ability to serve.

United WE’s work doesn’t just encourage women to run for office, but supplies them with the tools they need to succeed while actively fighting against the roadblocks that hold them back. I’m inspired by this effort and hope to one day live in a society where women from both sides of the aisle don’t doubt their abilities when considering leadership positions.

My Experience

In mid-July, I joined United WE in Kansas City for their Women in Politics Town Hall event with American Public Square. I’ve interned with American Public Square in the past, so this event was a “worlds collide” moment for me, and I had the best time meeting the United WE staff in person and seeing the APS staff once again.

The event focused on how civil discourse holds women back from running for elected positions, and the panel included three state representatives. It was such an inspiring evening. We had great conversations, laughs, and food–my favorite things!

The next day, I stayed in Kansas City, worked in United WE’s office, and had a chance to tag along with Melinda Ward, United WE’s Executive Coordinator, for her meetings and lunch. We had a great time, and I was sad to leave. This was my favorite experience with United WE so far!

Through my internship, I feel like I’m learning vital skills to help me succeed in my future career. I’m not exactly sure what I’d like to do after graduation, so I’ve been diversifying my resume with different experiences.

No matter where I end up, I’m certain that the lessons I’ve learned with United WE will be well worthwhile. I’ve improved my experience in communication, graphic design, and event planning. Most importantly, I’ve learned that change is more than possible, it’s within our reach.

I’ve been consistently inspired by the women of United WE who work tirelessly to improve opportunities for women and their families throughout our nation. The coalitions and boards who work together across party lines to transform elections prove that progress is coming. I am honored to be a part of this organization and have the chance to support its mission.