Community Highlights: Meet Stanley Taylor of Kids Community Growing Prosperity

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stanley Taylor.

Stanley, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Our Journey: From 2012 to Today

We actually started way back in 2012, just as a small social gathering. It was our very first Greek Festival Weekend here in Kansas City. Back then, it was really all about bringing together our community, celebrating the service work we do for local youth, and reconnecting with fraternity brothers and sorority sisters. It was just a chance for all of us to celebrate our Greek-letter organizations and our shared history.

Fast forward to now, in 2025, and we’ve grown into our 14th year of hosting this Greek Festival. It’s now actually ranked number three in the nation for Greek picnic events to attend. So it’s been a pretty amazing journey from that first small gathering to becoming a nationally recognized event.

Greek Step Show – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rneRy26i5KI

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Navigating the Challenges: From Shoestring Budgets to Major Coordination

It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. One of the earliest and biggest challenges we faced was funding. In those first few years, we were really working on a shoestring budget, trying to give everyone a great experience while managing our costs super carefully. It wasn’t until we landed our first big sponsorship that we could really start to do more and level up the event.

On top of that, anyone who’s ever tried to coordinate an event with thousands of people knows it’s a massive logistical puzzle. Getting everyone on the same page and making sure everything runs smoothly is always a big hurdle. But those were really our two biggest challenges: managing finances in the early days and tackling the logistics of a big, beloved event as it grew.

As you know, we’re big fans of Kids Community Growing Prosperity . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Kids Community Growing Prosperity (KCGP) is dedicated to creating a comprehensive network of support for Kansas City’s youth. Our initiatives focus on civic engagement, health, and social entrepreneurship,

Civic Engagement and Coalition Work:

KCGP actively promotes civic engagement by encouraging youth participation in community decision-making processes. We organize events and programs that educate young individuals about their civic responsibilities, fostering a sense of empowerment and community involvement. Additionally, we collaborate with local organizations to build coalitions aimed at addressing systemic issues affecting our youth. These partnerships enhance our collective impact, ensuring that the voices of young people are heard and considered in policy-making arenas.

Health Initiatives:

Understanding the critical link between health and overall well-being, KCGP implements programs that promote physical and mental health among youth. We provide resources and workshops on healthy lifestyle choices, mental health awareness, and access to healthcare services. By partnering with healthcare providers and community organizations, we strive to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes for underserved populations.

Social Entrepreneurship:

KCGP fosters social entrepreneurship by supporting young individuals in developing innovative solutions to community challenges. We offer mentorship, training, and resources to help youth launch social enterprises that address issues such as poverty, education, and environmental sustainability. This initiative not only empowers young entrepreneurs but also contributes to the economic and social development of the Kansas City community.

Through these efforts, KCGP’s work aligns with Health Forward Foundation’s priorities by promoting health equity, fostering community engagement, and supporting collaborative approaches to address health disparities. We are committed to building a healthier, more equitable future for all members of our community.

Kids Community Growing Prosperity (KCGP) has a strong track record of working directly with youth to foster civic engagement and leadership. We are actively engaged in 10+ schools, where we educate and empower students on the importance of civic participation. Through hands-on programs and initiatives, we ensure that young people understand their role in shaping their communities and advocating for meaningful change.

Our expertise in civic engagement is demonstrated by our leadership in critical community campaigns. We played a pivotal role in the successful effort to save Central High School from closure, mobilizing youth voices and community stakeholders to advocate for the school’s future. Additionally, we are partnering with the Missouri Inclusive Democracy Fund (MIDF) on a voter registration campaign, working to increase youth voter participation. Currently, we are also engaging students in voter registration efforts for the upcoming school bond issue, ensuring they recognize the power of their collective voice in shaping educational policies.

Centering Community Voice and Participation

At KCGP, youth voices guide and shape our civic engagement initiatives. We believe that young people should not only participate in discussions about their future but also lead them. We prioritize active listening, collaboration, and leadership development by:
• Creating Youth-Led Initiatives: We empower students to design and implement civic engagement projects based on the issues they care about most.
• Hosting Community Forums & Workshops: We provide platforms where young people can express their concerns, learn from local leaders, and develop advocacy skills.
• Building Strong Partnerships: Collaborating with schools, community organizations, and advocacy groups ensures that youth have access to the resources and networks needed to make a lasting impact.

Through these efforts, KCGP is uniquely positioned to continue this vital work. Our deep-rooted relationships with schools, community partners, and youth leaders allow us to drive meaningful, youth-led civic engagement that fosters long-term change.

Kids Community Growing Prosperity (KCGP) serves historically under-resourced communities in Kansas City, focusing on zip codes 64110, 64130, 64131, and 64132. These areas face significant economic and social challenges, with high distress scores, limited access to healthcare, and systemic barriers to civic participation.
Zip code 64132 is among the most distressed in Missouri, ranking 737 out of 768 zip codes with a distress score of 97.6.

Voter Rally

I’m a FUTURE Entrepreneur

Mock Election & CommYOUnity Day

Any big plans?
Looking Ahead: Expanding Our Impact and Growing Together

For the future, we’re really excited about expanding our programming and deepening our civic engagement with youth in the community. That’s a big focus for us—making sure we can offer even more opportunities, more mentorship, and more ways for young people to get involved and thrive.

And of course, we’re also looking forward to our 14th annual Greek Festival next summer. We’re planning to make it bigger and better than ever, and we can’t wait to see how everything continues to grow.

Pricing:

• https://www.kcgpnonprofit.org/blessed

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kcgpnonprofit.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kcgrowingprosperity/ and https://www.instagram.com/kcgreekpicnic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kc.greekpicnic/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kcgreekpicnicimgreekandimp7423
• Other: https://youtube.com/@kidscommunitygrowingprosperity