This is our time to shine and we are starting out the year on a bright note. We had our first Sparkle Party of the year and it was fantastic. I can’t thank Shivani Bhandari enough for hosting the event and the venue at Two Light Luxury Apartments was spectacular. I also want to thank Jeffrey B. Rawlings Trucking for sponsoring the event, as well as Torn Label Brewing Co. for providing a selection of their local adventurous craft beer. We had a good turnout in spite of the tricky unpredictable weather. We met several new UMKC students who joined our chapter and a few Cerner employees stopped by to check us out. Hallmark was “In the House.” Hallmark has been a dedicated sponsor of our Chapter since it was founded in 2010.

We kicked off the month of February with Dim-Sum at Pine & Bamboo Garden. Thank you to our friends in AARCH, Hallmark’s Asian American Employee Resource Group for inviting us to join them in this annual event. We also participated in the Kansas City Chinese Association New Year Gala.
 
We will be continuing our Nomad Motel series with an unconventional learning opportunity.  We are planning to have a panel discussion featuring the NAAAP-KC members who participated in this exclusive theatre experience. The panelist will discuss the valuable lessons they took away of this unique behind the scenes learning experience. Andi Meyer, co-director of Nomad Motel will answer questions and further the discussion with her insights. Additional information will be coming soon. And it’s not too late to be a part of the discussion. The show runs through Feb 17th at the Unicorn Theatre. NAAAP-KC is a proud sponsor of this world premiere production. Go see the show. And don’t forget that the theatre has pay what you can performances on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights. More info at unicorntheatre.org.
 
Stay tuned for our next Happy Hour planned by Maiko Uhlich, our Director of Cultural Awareness and Special Events.
 
The Leadership Convention is top of mind and gathering Sponsors who can support this huge undertaking is imperative. We have developed an incentive for you, our members. If you are able to bring a pledged Sponsor to the NAAAP National Convention at the $2,000 level or higher, we will give you a $100. Please reach out to [email protected] for more info.
 
 The 2019 Leadership Convention will highlight our chapter, our city, our leaders, and our people. Let’s show them what they are missing when they fly over our great city. Let’s give them the best that Kansas City has to offer. But to do that, it is going to take all of us. I need your help to make this a success. Can I count on you? Contact me at [email protected] and let me know that you are all in.
 
 It’s our time. Together, we shine!
 
In Your Service,

Junann Lopez
NAAAP-KC President