this mission is unwavering, and we are dedicated to making a positive impact on our community through urban advocacy, CIVIC Engagement, and grassroots Organizing.
elcome to The Urban Summit, where we are driven by a powerful mission: to create a social
and economic balance that stabilizes the Eastside of Kansas City, Missouri. Our commitment to
elcome to The Urban Summit, where we are
DRIVEN BY A POWERFUL MISSION: to create a social and economic balance that stabilizes the Eastside of Kansas City, Missouri. Our commitment to this mission is unwavering, and we are dedicated to making a positive impact on our community through urban advocacy, political collaboration, and grassroots Organizing.
WHO WE ARE
WHAT WE DO
HOW WE DO IT
Organizing
grassroots
Engagement
CIVIC
Advocacy
Urban
Who We Are
From the Margin to the Center
We Build Power
The Urban Summit Kansas City exists to create social and economic balance that stabilizes the Eastside — through urban advocacy, political collaboration, and grassroots organizing. We've been doing it for nearly two decades.
We are passionate about advocating for the rights and well-being of the residents of Eastside Kansas City. Through research, education, and outreach, we strive to raise awareness about the issues affecting our community and create lasting solutions.
Urban
Advocacy
We understand the importance of working hand in hand with local, regional, and national leaders to enact policies that benefit Eastside Kansas City. By fostering partnerships and engaging in constructive dialogue, we aim to shape a more equitable and prosperous future.
Civic
eNGagement
Change starts from the ground up, and we are committed to empowering our community members. Through grassroots organizing, we aim to mobilize individuals and communities, providing them with the tools and resources needed to drive positive change within their neighborhoods.
Grassroots
Organizing
Our Community in Action
Real People.
Real Work.
Real Impact.
Achievements
Created the Central City Economic Development Sales Tax to revitalize the Eastside of Kansas
City.
Achievements
Established a public platform for discussion of social, economic and political issues affecting African Americans with a primary focus on the Eastside of the City.
Formed an urban “think tank” that addresses the challenges of the socially oppressed, politically voiceless and economically disadvantaged emphasizing such issues as health, the criminal justice system, community and economic development, housing and promotes the inclusion of the voice and vision of young professionals.
Achievements
Stridently advocates for individuals, social service agencies, and organizations enabling them to achieve parity and fairness.
Achievements
Collaborates with political organizations around economic issues ensuring proportionate minority representation and leadership.
Achievements
Acts as an informal watchdog for millions of dollars directed to urban projects designed to spur community stabilization east of Troost.
Achievements
Conducts weekly meetings around relevant issues impacting communities east of Troost where breakfast service is provided for 50-75 people.
Achievements
Serves as an informational feedback conduit for the community.
Achievements
Continues to identify and create jobs for men and women re-entering their communities after incarceration.
Achievements
Promotes the inclusion of the urban core interest in government and agency plans and economic studies as a means of addressing the importance of one city.
Achievements
Advocates for public school districts and charter schools to advance academic preparation of students enrolled in these districts.
Achievements
2nd Vice-President
Dr. Stan Archie
President/Founder
Bishop James Tindall SR.
Vice-President
Dr. Vernon Howard
Our LEADERS
click on the images below to learn more
Executive Director
Celestine Williams
The Reverend Dr. Vernon Percy Howard, Jr., is a native son of Kansas City serving as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City, an historic human rights organization founded during the mid-20th century civil rights movement by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and a vanguard of men and women in the southern United States.
He is an educator, activist and prophetic leader who also serves as senior pastor of the Historic St. Mark Church in Kansas City, Missouri. His academic work has included teaching within the Africana Studies department of the University of Arizona in Tucson with focus on the nexus points between Christianity, the Black Liberation Struggle and the Black church as prophetic agent in Social Justice.
His doctoral work was completed at the Samuel D. Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, an historic Black college in Richmond Virginia. He is an Adjunct Professor and Teaching Fellow within the Center for Faith and Culture at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri.
Dr. Vernon HoWARD
Bishop James Dennis Tindall, Sr. attended the University of Missouri Kansas City, Carver Bible Institute, Western Baptist Bible College, Columbia school of broadcasting and KPRS school of broadcasting.
In July 1976, he was appointed pastor of the Metropolitan Spiritual Church of Christ in Kansas city, Miissouri. On November 8, 1996, Dr. James D. Tindall, Sr. was elevated to the office of bishop by the Archbishop Arthur Leonard Posey. In July 2009, bishop tindall was elevated to the Office of Presiding Bishop of the Metropolitan Spiritual Churches of Christ, Inc.
Bishop Tindall is an advocate for change in the urban community and is the founder of the Urban Summit, which was founded in 2007, who meets on a weekly basis to discuss issues in the community and elected officials, as well as community leaders come together at these meetings.
Every year there is an annual summit put on for the people of this community at no cost to the people. Bishop Tindall was the 2nd district Jackson County legislator in Missouri and has served on the legislature for a combined total of 20+ years. He was the chair of the justice & law committee and served on the health & environment and anti-drug committees. He served as the chairman for six consecutive years at one point.
He is a man that is about and for the people. Bishop Tindall is now the pastor emeritus of the mother church, Metropolitan Spiritual Church of Christ, in Kansas City, MO after 42 years as the pastor.
BishOP James Tindall Sr.
Stan Archie offers his services as a therapist, counselor, and life coach through Premier Counseling in Kansas City, Missouri.
He provides both general and customized counseling and coaching in individual and group settings, where he focuses on encouraging good health: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Stan Archie earned his credentials, a master’s degree in counseling, from Mid-America Nazarene University.
He also works with Successful Edge LLC, a therapy firm that helps those suffering from addiction, depression, and stress.Stan Archie possesses many years of experience leading and guiding community members as a senior pastor with and co-founder of Christian Fellowship Baptist Church, part of the Christian Fellowship Ministries in Kansas City.
He studied organizational leadership and the Bible at Calvary Bible College and also received a degree in divinity with an emphasis on biblical language from Carver Bible College.
Over the years, Archie has received numerous awards and accolades, including recognition in KC Globe’s 100 Most Influential African Americans for multiple years and induction into the Golden Key Honor Society.
Dr. Stan Archie
Celestine I. Williams has worked in the community since she was a teenager,
canvassing for Freedom, Inc. Born and raised in Kansas City. She joined the United
States Marine Corps and left the summer after graduating high school.
Celestine travelled and lived in various places during and after her military service. She
has an extensive career in corporate and government. She has worked for the county,
state and federal government in various capacities.
She has a bachelor’s degree in management/accounting and a master’s in business
administration received from Park University, Parkville, Missouri and has a Certification
in Leadership from Mid America Regional Council, Kansas City, MO Celestine has
served on several boards and has been a Treasurer for political campaigns as well.
She is the mother of two sons, Anthony Jr. and DeLoren. She enjoys working with her
church organization and the Urban Summit where she is a part of the founding team.
Helping others is her passion.
Celestine Williams
urban summit in the news
Reparative justice dominates conversation at 2021 Urban Summit Kansas City.
The 14th annual Urban Summit was an opportunity for grassroots organizations and elected leaders in the Kansas City, Missouri, area to learn more about the needs of, and solutions for, the region’s Black community.
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get involved
Connect with us to learn how you can get involved with upcoming community events and summits or receive resources and support from the Urban Summit.
