Today we’d like to introduce you to Edgar Galicia.
Hi Edgar, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was borne in Mexico City in 1966, and at age 18 traveled under a student visa to the KC area, I was supposed to study graphic arts but had no English, so I enrolled at Donnelly College ESL program and learned as much as I could before I continued my professional education. I worked briefly as a pasteup artist at Universal Engraving in Overland Park, Kansas. As a bilingual worker, I helped with taking orders from anyone who had a different accent, creating the international sales office. This allowed me to explore the Engraving Markets abroad and directed me to invest in servicing the Mexican market directly. After a series of good and bad investments, life passed me the invoice in the form of a bankruptcy. Looking for opportunity, networking in the Grater Kansas City, I was asked by leadership in KCK to help with bringing the Latino Community to engage and become more active in community. I started volunteering for Central Area Betterment Association (CABA) in 2013, in 2015 I became the official Executive Director and I have been operating the organization ever since. Took the organization from a $25,000.00 annual budget to a circa $400,000.00 Annual budget. From a $10,000.00 to a 1,200,000.00 equity, from a loaned office to a building ownership supporting other smaller nonprofits, from a single 3000 visitors parade and a job placing program to a 40,000 annual visitors count with 3 festivals, 2 parades, 3 year around programs and invaluable connections. 2024 was a hard year for CABA, after a mini tornado hit our community, we suffered mayor damage to our office building and had to evacuate our forever home. All year long, funding has been hard to come by, several federal grants were stopped but our deliver has not stopped, we have found ways to continue our annual production, promoting leadership, entrepreneurship, business excellence, community pride, healthy living and civic engagement.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Well, funding has always been a challenge for nonprofit, in fact as we continue producing all of our events and programs, we are conducting a Capital Campaign to rebuilt our forever home. Always connecting with viable organizations both private and public to continue operating even when funding is hard to come by.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As an Executive Director to a nonprofit, it is understood that half of your success is the professional relationships you grow and harvest. I am proud to count with supportive friends and family everywhere I work.
Also, one has responsibility to the people volunteering with and for the organization, as well as all the partners in community. I love to deliver on that responsibility.
I am not sure what I am know for, that would be a community question. What I know is that as a leader in the community, ither you love me or not.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
A natural borne strategist, at age 9, I was able to figure out a creative way to buy my first motorcycle, too bad I sold my bedroom furniture, my mother did not like it at all. Entrepreneurship was a key factor to implementing my visions and generate opportunities. At age 16, I created a series of events with my friends funding, paid the with thickets for the event and have them become my sales force. This allowed me to create a weekend party venue that in turn became a two year business venture until my family convince me to sell the business and come to GKC to finish my professional studies. I am quite outgoing and enjoy fast motorcycles, I am building my own custom car (with the help of professionals) a 1951 Mercury Hot-Rod. I always likes sports as long as there were social more than competitive, the arts have always fascinated me. Today I love hosting friends and family at my place, cook for them and enjoy a drink or two.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://CABAKCK.org
- Instagram: CABAKCK
- Facebook: CENTRAL AREA BETTERMENT ASSOCIATION
- LinkedIn: Edgar Galicia
- Youtube: Central Area Betterment Association
Image Credits
All images credits to “CABA Event Pictures Stock” All rights reserved by The Central Area Betterment Association.
