Rep. Cleaver and Minority Chambers Highlight Local Impact of $4,000,000 in Community Project Funding

(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05) hosted a check presentation and press conference to highlight the $4,000,000 in Community Project Funding he was able to secure for the Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City. The funding secured by Rep. Cleaver has supported the creation of a combined Hispanic Chamber and Heartland Black Chamber location, allowing the organizations to jointly serve an array of minority businesses throughout the region. The Minority Chambers Development Center is one of fifteen projects Congressman Cleaver championed in Congress for Fiscal Year 2023, securing nearly $40 million in federal funding that is directly benefitting constituents in Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District. 

The joint partnership will be the first of its kind nationwide as two of the largest minority chambers unite in their missions to advance business development, workforce development, and leadership development for the betterment of people of color throughout the Fifth District of Missouri.

“It is no secret that we get things done in Kansas City because we unite for the betterment of our community – and that’s exactly what the Heartland Black Chamber and Hispanic Chamber are doing with this initiative,” said Congressman Cleaver. “This unique collaboration is a win for minority entrepreneurs, business owners, and workers in Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District and throughout the region, and I am proud to have secured this significant investment to bring the minority chambers’ vision of equity, access, and partnership to life.”

“This is a historic moment in Kansas City history – American history even,” said Kim Randolph, President/CEO, Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc. “At a time when our nation is deeply divided, Congressman Cleaver has given us the opportunity to unite. More is required of us as leaders. We must hold ourselves strictly accountable. We must provide the people with a vision for the future. The Minority Chambers Development Center will provide a space where communities with different cultures can come together to solve a common goal.”

"This facility will not only allow the synergy and collaboration to grow between our two Chambers, but ultimately amplify our reach to assist and serve more minority small businesses,” said Carlos Gomez, President/CEO, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Photos from the press conference are available here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.