Kansas Leadership Center

Jeff Tuttle, the veteran photojournalist whose images have helped define The Journal for more than a decade, is not, if we're being honest, a huge fan of soccer.

But that didn't stop Tuttle from capturing memorable images from the early days of Kansas City's hosting the 2026 World Cup.

Photo essay: Fan scenes from Kansas City's hosting of the 2026 World Cup The Journal's Jeff Tuttle captured what it looks like to have the World Cup take over Kansas City.

Two group stage matches down. Two left to go, plus a round of 32 and quarterfinal matches on July 3 and July 11.

Already the assessments are beginning.

Pulling off a memorable World Cup showcases KC's unity. Could it lead to a paradigm shift? Nearly every metro city and county government played a role in landing and orchestrating Kansas City's hosting of the World Cup.

Learning the ideas is one thing. Helping others put them into practice is another.

Last week, 18 participants from across Kansas and beyond gathered for Equip to Lead, a two-day experience designed for people who want to build the capacity of others to make progress on complex challenges.

Through facilitation practice, feedback and real-world application, participants strengthened their ability to communicate the KLC framework, engage others in adaptive work and create the conditions for meaningful progress.

We can't wait to see how they'll put these skills to work in their organizations, businesses and communities.

Sometimes progress looks like a fresh coat of paint, a cleaned-out workspace or a newly landscaped garden.

Last week, KLC staff joined volunteers from across the region for the 3rd Annual United Way of the Plains Day of Action, supporting organizations that strengthen our community every day.

Kathy Lefler, Luvyna Mantle and Shannon Pope spent the day helping Rainbows United, Inc. prepare for an office consolidation. Jamillah Anderson and Jayla Dennis helped paint offices at HumanKind Ministries. Lydia Santiago and Anna Porcaro volunteered at the Kansas Aviation Museum, tackling landscaping projects.

And as an added bonus, Lydia went home with a raffle prize from Chicken N Pickle - Wichita and Yeti.

Thank you to United Way of the Plains for creating opportunities for people to come together in service of the common good.

One week from today, Kansas students will take the stage at the Kansas State Finals of the National Civics Bee®. 🏆

We're pleased to welcome returning emcee Fayola Oyatayo, keynote speaker Tanya Ramesh -- the 2025 Kansas State Champion who went on to finish among the top five students nationally -- and judges Marquetta Atkins-Woods, Jason Bosch, Ed.D. and Melissa Masoner, Ph.D.

Join us at KLC on June 27 as students from across Kansas compete for prizes, statewide recognition and the opportunity to represent Kansas at the national championship in Washington, D.C.

The event is free and open to the public. RSVP: https://kansasleadershipcenter.org/national-civics-bee-kansas-state-finals/

The National Civics Bee: Kansas State Finals are made possible with support from Evergy .


| U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation The Civic Trust

Despite the months of preparation, the launch of ConnectKC’s bus service to Arrowhead for the match between Argentinian and Algeria did not go smoothly. Fans reported long delays, traffic jams, and, in one social media post, an out of town bus driver who got lost.

✍️ Dawn Bormann Novascone & Mark Wiebe
📸 Jeff Tuttle

https://klcjournal.com/world-cup-transit-push-inspires-optimism-for-post-event-public-transportation-in-kansas-city/

World Cup transit push inspires optimism for post-event public transportation in Kansas City Kansas City ranks last among the 16 cities hosting the World Cup when it comes to public conveyance. But some optimistic leaders see the event could set the foundation for change.

After months of competition, 15 students remain. 🏆

The finalists for the 2026 National Civics Bee: Kansas State Finals have been announced. On June 27, they'll take the stage in Wichita to compete for prizes, statewide recognition and the opportunity to represent Kansas at the national championship in Washington, D.C.

View the full list of finalists and their schools, and RSVP to attend: https://kansasleadershipcenter.org/national-civics-bee-kansas-state-finals/

The Kansas State Finals of the National Civics Bee® are made possible with support from Evergy.

| U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation The Civic Trust

“It used to be we’d tag along with other cities and say, ‘Hey listen to us.’ Now we go alone.”

✍️ Dawn Bormann Novascone & Mark Wiebe
📷 Jeff Tuttle

https://klcjournal.com/kansas-city-calculates-world-cup-benefits-that-could-transcend-regulation-time/

Kansas City calculates World Cup benefits that could transcend regulation time Kansas City is the surrogate home to Soccer GOAT and hat trick maestro Lionel Messi and his Argentina team. Locals can watch the Dutch Bus and the orange-clad Netherlands fans as they famously parade through downtown. England — looking to win its first World Cup championship since 1966 — will st...

Kansas nonprofits are navigating increasing demands, leadership transitions and complex challenges that no one person can solve alone.

That's why KLC partnered with local organizations to create the Nonprofit Business Impact Series: a new executive development experience designed to build capacity across entire organizations, from board members and executives to staff, volunteers and emerging professionals.

Today, the first Luminary Lab cohort begins its work together.

Thank you to Textron Aviation, Fidelity Bank, United Way of the Plains, P B Hoidale and Thrive Restaurant Group for investing in the people and organizations working to strengthen Kansas communities.

Helping Nonprofits Build Capacity for What Comes Next The Nonprofit Business Impact Series from the Kansas Leadership Center helps Kansas nonprofits strengthen capacity, develop people and make progress.