NAAAP Kansas City

We Are National Association of Asian American Professionals - Kansas City

Together, we shine! A Message From NAAAP-KC President
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 kansascity@naaap.org 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 junann.lopez@naaap.org and let me know that you are all in. It’s our time. Together, we shine! In Your Service, Junann Lopez NAAAP-KC President
NAAAP National Leadership Convention is coming to Kansas City in 2019
My name is Junann Lopez and I am the incoming President of NAAAP-KC for 2019. Thanks to the leadership of Lisa and the NAAAP-KC board, 2018 was a year full of successes. Our NAAAP-KC board met a few weeks ago to set goals and plan for an exciting and epic 2019. We currently have 2 openings on the Board: Director of Membership and Director of Technology. Contact me if you are interested in either of those positions. And now for the big news!! I am very excited and honored to announce that NAAAP-KC will be hosting the NAAAP National Leadership Convention here in Kansas City, Aug 22-24, 2019. Not only will this be a time to highlight and promote our chapter, but this is a great opportunity for us to showcase the amazing people within our diverse Asian American community, the incredibly talented people in our creative and business communities, and the world class companies that call this marvelous city home. This is our time to show the national Asian American community what Kansas City has to offer and that this is a vibrant and exciting city for them to live, work, play, and thrive in. The convention team estimates we will have 700 – 1,000 guests attend activities throughout the 3-day convention. The convention kicks off with an all day ERG (Employee Resource Group) Summit and welcome reception, followed by 2 days of workshops, panel discussions, keynote speakers, networking, a career fair, and concluding with an unforgettably stunning gala featuring the best of Kansas City that you will not want to miss. To highlight all the fantastic things Kansas City has to offer, we will need the help of the community. Please consider being a sponsor, donor, volunteer, serving on a committee, sharing your talents, spreading the word, or attending the convention. Let’s show them that Kansas City is more than a cow and a barn. Together, we can create an unforgettable experience in an unbelievably stunning city. In Your Service, Junann Lopez
2018 Women Who Mean Business: Aviva Ajmera
Aviva Ajmera Co-founder and CEO, SoLVE LLC Article Source: Kansas City Business Journal Responsibilities: Ajmera co-founded SoLVE LLC in 2013 with friend and fellow entrepreneur Teddi Hernandez. Her primary areas of expertise include strategic planning, product development and organizational design. Education: For generations, education has been a priority in Ajmera’s family. Her great-grandfather founded a university in India that provided college education for underserved students. With this foundation, Ajmera has trusted and valued her education and advises other women to pursue the best education possible. “Growing up, I was always told, ‘An education is one thing no one can ever take away from you,’” Ajmera said. Turning point: “After working in corporate America for 15 years and two different international consulting firms, deciding to start my own consulting firm in Kansas City to help Kansas City-based companies grow.” Supporting women: For the past 15 years, Ajmera has actively guided and mentored women in navigating corporate culture and obtaining professional opportunities. She is also the chair of Women’s Capital Connection, an all-women angel investing group that invests in women-led companies throughout the region. “I make a personal commitment to support companies we invest in. I share my professional knowledge and actively build awareness for their businesses.” Greatest challenge: Ajmera’s parents were the first in their families to immigrate to the United States, and she was the first of her generation to be born and raised here. Ajmera found it challenging to grow up in this country where “anything is possible,” while also being raised in a culture where women have clearly defined roles. “I constantly struggled with my parents to support my goals versus their traditional views of how a ‘good Indian girl’ should live her life. I overcame this by believing in myself and achieving my goals.” Inspiration: Ajmera’s husband and daughter are her greatest inspiration. “My husband has always believed in me, encouraged me to reach as high as possible and face my fears. My daughter is my ongoing inspiration to be my very best self and balance work, family and our Indian traditions.” — Anne Marie Hunter https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/women-who-mean-business/

Upcoming Events

Spring Sparkle Party

1 MAY 2019 · 5:30 PM

in 777 W Burning Tree Dr, Kansas City, MO 64145, USA

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NAAAP Pride

NAAAP-KC is proud to be a pilot chapter for NAAAP Pride, a new program for the Asian American LGBTQ+ community. We believe in equality and value a diverse, inclusive, and safe environment for all. We encourage you to learn more about NAAAP Pride.