This Black History Month, we explore the difficulties and obstacles faced by nonprofit organizations led by Black leaders in the Kansas City metro area. We met with five Black nonprofit leaders for a conversation centered around these challenges, with a specific focus on the ongoing struggle for adequate funding.
Kenneth Yancy is the Chief Digital Marketing & Software Developer at Essential Families, a Nonprofit Catalyst Grantee. Their five services, including digital workforce development, are breaking barriers and championing for local families and individuals. Kenneth’s commitment to addressing critical needs in the community has set Essential Families on a path to making a profound impact. However, as we delve into their journey, it becomes evident that the challenges faced by Black-led organizations are ongoing.
Securing funding for Black-led organizations is not a new problem. There are several obstacles that must be overcome to get noticed and obtain financial assistance. And even when an organization is successful in securing funds, there are still hurdles that must be overcome. “Now the grants are becoming reimbursable. Now we have to go out and get a line of credit just to service these grants every year,” Kennth shares. The shift towards reimbursable grants has compelled Kenneth to seek understanding behind this funding method and wishes for more non-reimbursable grants to sustain organizations’ vital initiatives.
“I’ve got to spend the money to help the community.” Kenneth states that small Black-led organizations will struggle to get upwards of $400,000 lines of credit. “We have to go get [a line of credit] just to stay in business,” Yancy reveals the stark reality faced by many Black-led organizations. The financial barriers they encounter underscore the need for systemic change, equity, and recognition of the unique challenges faced by nonprofits serving marginalized communities.
As a Nonprofit Catalyst Grantee, Essential Families has been able to expand on a serious need in our community: “For us, you have enabled us to address a very serious need in Kansas City: We’re talking about Mental Health,” remarks Kennth. Essential Families provides essential mental health services and support to a community struggling with these often stigmatized challenges. His dedication displays the organization’s commitment to fostering mental well-being and resilience.
Yancy emphasizes the importance of being present not just at the financial table but also at the legislative one. Essential Families recognizes the power of advocacy in creating systemic change, ensuring that mental health concerns are not only addressed financially but also embedded in legislative conversations.
In the pursuit of progress, Kennth confronts a formidable adversary. “I think the challenge is the status quo,” he reflects. In the for-profit world, progress is the lifeline, but Kennth confronts a different reality. Even with demonstrable progress, Essential Families, and other Black-led organizations, faces funding challenges that go beyond the expected norms.
Kenneth’s journey with Essential Families is a testament to resilience, advocacy, and an unyielding commitment to mental health in Kansas City. As he navigates the complexities of funding, legislation, and systemic barriers with his wife, Terri English-Yancy, Founder and CEO of Essential Families, Kenneth continues to stand for sustainable change. Essential Families serves as a reminder that the pursuit of well-being extends beyond individual initiatives, requiring a collective effort to dismantle the status quo and create a more equitable future for mental health advocacy.