Empowering Future Black Leaders Through Innovating Education
As we celebrate Black History Month, we’re highlighting BeGreat Together, a Nonprofit Catalyst Grantee redefining how public school education empowers students and teachers.
Black students in Kansas City’s urban school districts face systemic challenges, but BeGreat Together is working to change that by supporting efforts around creating leadership, innovation, and confidence from within the classroom. Through partnerships with educators, businesses, and the community, BeGreat Together supports in-school student- and teacher-led programs that cultivate future leaders who are ready to shape their own success.
But BeGreat Together’s team doesn’t just support schools—it assists teachers and students in building intentional, sustainable programs as they are the ones who know their needs most. BeGreat believes that leadership starts in the classroom. The nonprofit’s approach goes beyond traditional education by working with teachers to provide students with access to real-world experiences, mentorship, and skill-building programs.
“We support public school educators and students by helping them grow innovative, sustainable teacher and student-developed programs that enhance educational experiences and build leadership skills,” said Avrell Stokes, co-founder of BeGreat Together. “We don’t just consult; we celebrate and nurture ideas from teachers and students, empowering them to continue leading.”
Stokes continued, “Our commitment to hearing and growing their ideas is an indication of our deep commitment to the public school community. Letting educators and students run with their own ideas is a powerful gift and one that few organizations are willing or confident enough to do.”
BeGreat Together works with various classrooms within Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) and Center School District, with future expansion to additional school districts planned for next year. Through a process of strategic planning, goal setting, leadership development, partnership development, and funding, their partnerships with in-school programs that teachers and students build brings expertise, mentorship, and hands-on experiences that expose students to new career paths and leadership opportunities.
“As a part of our partnership-building process, we have been fortunate to watch these programs continue to grow within the classroom with the help of school program supporters,” Stokes explained. “A few of those have been Multistudio, UMKC Innovation Lab, Made in KC, Rainy Day Books, McCown Gordon, Metropolitan Community College, WeCode KC, T-shirt King, IMKC, Generating Income for Tomorrow, JE Dunn, Kanbe’s Markets, Jewish Family Services, Husch Blackwell, and more.”
These collaborations enhance academic, corporate, and individual partnerships, connecting students with subject matter experts, professional mentors, and businesses that offer exposure and training. Since 2021, BeGreat Together has made a tangible difference in Kansas City, reaching nine programs, 10 educators, and over 559 students.
Their work also includes launching emotional intelligence (EQ) initiatives to enhance classroom engagement and prepare students with soft skills to apply what they are learning within the classroom to their community and future workforce, while understanding civic responsibility. BeGreat has supported teachers and students in expanding programs like robotics, multilingual libraries, business and entrepreneurship, coding, broadcasting and media, 3D print and design, dual-language certification, and more, providing the tools and resources for educators to lead transformative change in their classrooms. Through its five Ps Model—Preparedness, Proficiency, Planning, Practice, and Partnership—BeGreat Together is working to show educator appreciation and helping to shape students for academic success while inspiring them to become changemakers in their communities.
BeGreat Together is always looking for ways to expand its reach and impact. The best way to get involved? “Let’s have coffee; I love meeting new people,” said Stokes. “Email me directly at avrellstokes@bgtogether.org.” To learn more and engage in volunteer opportunities with this organization, visit their page on our Community Partners Directory.
By investing in the ideas of teachers and students, BeGreat Together is building a stronger, more innovative, and more equitable education system—one that reflects the brilliance, creativity, and leadership of Kansas City’s Black community.