Daily Inspiration: Meet Stedmond Ware

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Stedmond Ware.

Hi Stedmond, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Originally from a small delta town called Greenwood, Mississippi, I began my journey down the yellow brick road into Kansas City in December of 2016 to start my new career.

After completing my Bachelor’s in Psychology and my Master’s in Sociology (Community Development), I felt prepared to graduate from my home state and see what was beyond the magnolia-scented line. I was beyond excited and, as you might imagine, a bit nervous. I knew then what an amazing opportunity this was, but I never could have imagined the sacrifices or the blessings that would come my way, this great honor included.

From the country roads of Mississippi to living in Kansas City, this phase of my life has offered me tremendous perspective and helped me move closer toward my life’s work, which I think was so eloquently summed up by my favorite poet, Dr. Maya Angelou, “I know that since life is our most precious gift, and as far as we can be absolutely certain, it is given to us to live but once. Let us so live that we will not regret years of useless virtue, timidity, and ignorance. So, in our last moments, we can say that all my life and conscious energy was dedicated to the noblest cause in the world: the liberation of the human mind and spirit, beginning with my own.”

Let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
The road has certainly not been easy and continues to be a struggle at times. Being born a black, gay man in the Mississippi Delta to teenage parents wasn’t the easiest beginning, but luckily, I have a family, especially my grandmother, who raised me to persevere and not allow obstacles to stand in my way.

Making a choice to move to Kansas City, where I knew no one, and leave everything I had ever known was certainly another curve in the road I never expected. It was scary, to say the least, and has been full of uncertainty. KC, like many cities, either embraces you or it doesn’t. I feel incredibly fortunate to have found friends, true love, a time or two, and a career that continues to captivate me.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My life’s work is about collecting experiences and telling stories. Professionally, I serve as a Portfolio Manager for the largest volunteer grantor in North America, AmeriCorps.

This allows me the opportunity to connect with grantees, volunteers, and stakeholders all over our region, and I love doing so. I am also serving in a professional exchange assignment as the Senior Advisor for Equity in our Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility at AmeriCorps. It’s proven to be one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had and will certainly change the rest of my professional life. I’m also an Adjunct Sociology Professor for one of the nation’s most famous HBCUs, Jackson State University in Jackson, MS.

Creatively, I am a published poet and author. Poetry has always been one of my favorite languages and has been one of the most powerful lyrics of my life. My book is titled Mosaic Journey: Pieces of Me. It’s a collection of poetry reflecting my Southern heritage and my hopes and dreams for the world. I’m planning to re-release it in the near future under a new publication, but it is now available on Amazon.

I’m also a radio show host on 90.1 KKFI’s umbrella show, The Tenth Voice. The Tenth Voice is the Kansas City area’s only weekly broadcast created by and for LGBTQIA+ people in our community in the Greater Kansas City area and around the world online. My segment of the show is titled Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives with Stedmond Ware. My show is about everyday humans who happen to be doing incredible things and sewing inspiration into our world. Listeners can tune in each First Saturday at 1:00 PM.

I’m most proud of the fact my life has been about giving back and serving those who serve others. As a lifelong learner and volunteer, I’m always hoping to find ways to contribute to the light that guides all of us while trying to maintain my own with purpose and a little humility.

Some of the highlights of this work include being a Bronze Congressional Medalist, a President’s Volunteer Service Award Recipient, a volunteer and Past Chairman of the Board for the Kansas City Center for inclusion, and a supporter of many volunteer-led causes and the extraordinary people who lead them.

We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
A surprising fact about me is I love film and want to try professional acting/film critique in my lifetime.

I love that the film is about bringing everyday stories to life and that we all have the right to have our stories told. I believe that every life has moments in the sun. How lucky I am to have had so many and to hopefully shine a few lights on others.

Pricing:

• $20 for my book Mosaic Journey: Pieces of Me https://a.co/d/6d9PmS7

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ware_s_ware
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stedmond.ware
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stedmond-d-ware-m-s-64612567
• Email: [email protected]
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/AVnpQ5XGsBs?si=nR3gZ2TIEKQ4THGX
• Yelp: https://snapchat.com/t/PXX5mxCq