Inside This Issue

Welcome from the Executive Director 6

Our Impact Partners & Leadership Members 8

The C. Stephen Metzler Mentorship Program 12

Cornerstones of Care 18

From Ribbon Cutting to How Are They Now 22

Experience KC & the Big Matches 26

Membership Directory 32

Welcome from the Executive Director

I’m writing this Spring Magazine message with full heart and deep gratitude.

Serving as your Executive Director of the Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce over the past two and a half years has been a real privilege. This role has given me the opportunity to work alongside an extraordinary community, one defined by resilience, generosity, and a genuine commitment to lifting one another up.

To our members, thank you. Your unwavering support, encouragement, and belief in this Chamber, and in me, has meant more than I can fully express. You show up, you engage, and you invest in this business community in ways that truly make a lasting difference.

To our Board of Directors, thank you for your dedication and for the trust you have placed in me. Each of you has shaped me for the better. Your leadership, guidance, and care for this organization have not only strengthened the Chamber, but have also had a lasting impact on me personally. I am truly grateful.

There are also those whose vision and commitment helped build the foundation we stand on today. Dan Nilsen, Michael Lintecum, and Mike Hopkins; each of you have taken the time to meet and talk with me, given me your guidance, your belief in this work, and for trusting me to help carry it forward. That trust is something I have never taken lightly.

And then there are the extraordinary friendships I now cherish; Jeff, Joel, Eileen, Chris, Jess, Brandy, James, Ricky, Jay, oh and so many others……thank you for your support, your honesty, your safe spaces to learn, and your friendship. To be able to do this work alongside people I now consider close friends and confidants has been an incredible gift.

To our Chamber team - thank you. Allison, though we have only worked together for a short time, your command of our operations and systems has been remarkable. You have quickly become a trusted resource and a steady presence in our work. And Kat; working alongside you over the past 18 months has been a privilege. Your calm, thoughtful approach, and your unwavering dedication to this organization have made a lasting impact on me and on the Chamber. I have learned so much from you. The Chamber is in very good hands with you and Allison as part of the team.

This role has shaped me in ways I could not have anticipated. It has challenged me, inspired me, and connected me with people and experiences that I will carry forward into my next career chapter.

With gratitude,

Tracey DeMarea
Executive Director

The C. Stephen Metzler Mentor Program

Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce board members Jessica Blubaugh and Brandy Williams are bringing new life to the organization’s C. Stephen Metzler Mentor Program.

“Brandy and I co-direct the program, which means we lead the curriculum, recruitment and execution of the program on an annual basis,” said Blubaugh, the Chief Philanthropy Officer at United Way of Greater Kansas City.

The two took to reviving the program after the COVID-19 pandemic left it fallow.

Williams, Director of Education for the Metropolitan Organization Countering Sexual Assault (MOCSA), actually served as a Metzler mentor in 2019. That followed a coffee meetup with friend Michael Hopkins, who suggested she take part in the program.

“I was shocked in the sense that this was an opportunity I never had before,” Williams said. “When you have an opportunity like this presented to you, it’s good to take it, to learn and to grow.”

Post-covid, Williams and Blubaugh worked to bring back the mentor program with intention.

They talked with past participants - mentors and mentees - for their input and held focus groups to gather information for the reboot. One of the ideas that came from that work was to find avenues for the program to reflect diversity in various ways, Williams said.

As such, according to the Chamber’s website, the C. Stephen Metzler Program “exists to promote and expedite the development of aspiring LGBT leaders and professionals within the LGBT and greater Kansas City community through one-on-one and group mentoring with local business and community leaders.”

Mentees are paired with mentors and get access to unique opportunities, with an emphasis on personal identity and authenticity, professional development and community engagement.

Williams said all involved with the program meet as a group once a month. That’s in addition to sessions mentors and mentees might hold one-on-one. All are encouraged to attend Chamber events, too.

“The opportunity to build leaders within our own community is the key component of our program,” Blubaugh said.” There are lots of leadership development programs out there, but none that are dedicated to the queer community. That’s what truly makes ours different.”

The program had a two-year cycle, but Williams said that time commitment led to a drop off in participation. So, the effort was relaunched as a one-year program in June 2025, in time for Pride Month.

As of February 2026, the program has 12 mentors and 10 mentees. Both Blubaugh and Williams said the C. Stephen Metzler Mentor Program is about building community and creating a safe space for people to be themselves, to be vulnerable and to truly connect with people.

“That’s especially the case at a time like this when marginalized communities are under attack, when it feels unsafe to be ourselves in moments, and when we really need each other,” Blubaugh said.

Providing such an environment creates a level of trust that leads to openness and engagement, Williams said.

Blubaugh added: “I think being able to think about the amount of times we’ve heard each other tell our stories of self and what commonalities you end up hearing in someone else’s life that mirror your own - it’s an incredibly special part of the program where everyone chooses to share a part of themselves with the group and the vulnerability, and bravery that’s shown is so special.”

As such, the program also pays tribute to Metzler after which the program was named. Metzler died in March 2015. He was a noted entrepreneur, HIV/AIDS activist, patron of the arts, business leader and philanthropist. According to his online obituary, he was “a major supporter of small business through the 25 Under 25 annual awards dinner; a founding board member of the Folly Theater, Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey and Mid-America Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce; trustee, board member and/or board chair of the Kansas City Art Institute, AIDS Service Foundation of Greater Kansas City, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Kansas City Young Audiences, Westport Tomorrow, Rockhurst University and the Girl Scouts. He also once served as interim president of the Kansas City Art Institute.”

Neither Blubaugh nor Williams knew Metzler. “But I feel like, based on what folks have said about him, that we would have gotten along really well,” Blubaugh said.

His spirit of involvement lives on with the duo. Williams said she joined the Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce and wound up serving on the board because she “liked the idea of giving back to the community, getting to know agencies and [having] the chance to form partnerships.”

Blubaugh agreed. “Having an association like the Chamber is important, especially right now, for building community, supporting each other and our businesses,” Blubaugh said. “Spending my time supporting an organization like the Chamber not only feels like a necessary civic duty but a way to give back to a community that I’m a part of and care about very much.”

“The opportunity to build leaders within our own community is the key component of our program,” Blubaugh said.”There are lots of leadership development programs out there, but none that are dedicated to the queer community. That’s what truly makes ours different.”

– Jessica Blubaugh, Chief Philanthropy Officer, United Way of Greater Kansas City

“The Metzler Mentoring program has been an important effort to build our community both professionally and personally. The one-on-one mentoring relationships clearly have been very rewarding for all involved and the ability to learn and be interactive with others in the overall class brings countless additional benefits. I have found the program to be completely worth the time and effort.”

– Aaron Otto

“The Metzler program creates real growth through connection and accountability. Brandy and Jess lead with heart, clarity and intention. We are stronger leaders because of them.”

– Kira Johnston-Owens

“It has been fun to see the intentional and structured development of queer young professionals in the Metzler Mentor Program. Jess and Brandy have thoughtfully inspired lifelong connections within the community to help this round of mentees grow.”

– Leon Harden

For more information on the C. Stephen Metzler Mentor program, including applications for becoming a mentor or mentee, go to midamericalgbt.org/metzler.

LGBTQ+ Youth in Foster Care Need a Caring Adult

Things have changed over the past 20 years for LGBTQ+ couples who want to become foster parents and adopt children looking for a caring home.

In February 2006, a Missouri Circuit Court ruled that a same sex couple was eligible to become foster parents and adopt a special needs child in foster care. Prior to that ruling, agencies often licensed LGBTQ+ couples as foster parents by listing them as individuals living in the same home. Cornerstones of Care was involved during the legal process as team members participated in town halls throughout Missouri to listen to concerns and advocate for foster parents who identified as LGBTQ+.

While much has changed, there is still much to accomplish. More than 30 percent of youth in foster care identify as LGBTQ+, which is a significant overrepresentation compared to the general population. LGBTQ+ youth often are in foster care for the same types of traumas as other children, which is caused by neglect and abuse, and LGBTQ+ youth have the added layer of mistreatment because of their sexual orientation.

Many of these youth want to be placed with families who identify similarly. Providing a more stable homelife with a caring adult can resolve numerous challenges. For example, reducing the number of foster home placements reduces the level of disruption for youth in foster care. Unhappy home placements often lead to youth running away from home, which contributes to an estimated 40 percent of LGBTQ+ youth who are homeless, which makes those young people more susceptible to human trafficking according to 2023 statistics from Children’s Rights.

Ensuring that all children and families receive equal treatment is a core value of Cornerstones of Care and is an essential part of our Andrus Sanctuary Institute and Human Rights Campaign certifications. All foster parents participate in Cornerstones of Care’s LGBTQ+ training, even if they don’t believe they will foster young people who identify as such, with the possibility that youth in their care haven’t yet come out.

The LGBTQIA+ all-inclusive training focuses on supporting the prospective foster parent to recognize the unique needs of youth who identify as LGBTQIA+. The course covers terminology, implicit bias and how it may create a barrier of trust between the foster parent and youth, and how to build awareness and
empathy.

The training is reviewed periodically to ensure that it is current with terminology. In 2024, the training was revamped in collaboration with a social impact firm as part of an agency-wide commitment to our WIDE (Welcoming, Inclusive, Diverse, and Equitable) values.

Our goal is to train the participants to be trauma-informed in their interventions when working with youth and families from the community. In homes where identity is respected, youth report fewer mental health struggles and greater stability. This sense of belonging can reduce feelings of isolation and lower the risk of self-harm, according to the foster care support organization, Foster Love.

If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent, speak to one of our licensing experts at 1-800-SRV-KIDS.

Cornerstones of Care is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children and families work through trauma by providing support in mental health, foster and kinship care, and education and skill building.

Providing a more stable homelife with a caring adult can resolve numerous challenges.

From Ribbon CuttingsTo How Are They Now

New Members Connect & Thrive in the Community

By Colette Harris

In today’s world, social media may reign supreme, but making personal connections and having face-to-face interactions are still major drivers of business growth. Whether businesses are celebrating their one year anniversaries or have been operating for a decade, there’s nothing quite like developing relationships and tapping into local resources to help organizations thrive.

The Mid-America LGBT Chamber revisits four businesses that it welcomed with open arms and ribbon cuttings and now joins the community in celebrating their continued, ongoing success!

Calibration Physical Therapy

Calibration Physical Therapy is going strong after a year-and-a-half in business, thanks to building meaningful connections with the local business community through the Chamber.

“Through networking opportunities and community events, we’ve been able to increase awareness about our services and form relationships with other businesses and health care providers who share our commitment to supporting the health and well-being of the community,” said Traci Smiley, DPT, owner and physical therapist.

Calibration provides highly personalized, one-on-one care that focuses on helping people move better and return to the activities they love by using a holistic approach to orthopedic rehabilitation. Smiley’s practice is also dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where every patient feels safe and supported.

Calibration Physical Therapy is located at 7313 W. 95th Street in Overland Park, Kan. For more information, visit: https://calibrationptkc.com/

No Divide KC

For nearly a decade, No Divide KC, a 501(c)(3), has used art as a vehicle to stimulate social awareness, participation and community building by partnering with more than 25 Kansas City-based organizations and artists to create artistic events that tell the stories of underserved and misrepresented communities. Through its tireless support of the community and education and programming such as Art Spark, Bicultural Poetry Program and the Queer Narratives Festival, No Divide KC has served more than 700 youth and supported 100 artists annually.

The organization recently opened a new art space at the Livestock Exchange Building, which features coworking space for member artists. Stacy Busch, executive director and co-founder of No Divide KC, credits the Chamber for helping the studio grow and establish itself as a leading nonprofit in Kansas City, winning the 2023 Non-Profit of the Year award at the Chamber’s annual award ceremony.

“The Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce has been a critical catalyst for No Divide KC, helping us evolve from a grassroots arts collective into a recognized, award-winning nonprofit,” said Busch.

No Divide KC Studio is located at the Livestock Exchange Building, 1600 Genessee Street, Suite 200. For more information, visit: https://www.nodividekc.org/

Snook-Snow Chiro

Dr. Joanna (Dr. Jojo) Snook-Snow, DC opened Snook-Snow Chiro about a year ago with the aim of providing individualized chiropractic care to each of her patients. She prides herself on taking the time to get to know her patients and treat their specific needs.

“I work from head to toe and offer a wide range of techniques tailored to each patient’s comfort level, from full traditional manual adjustments to low force, ‘no-cracking’ options,” said Snook-Snow.

Snook-Snow’s patients receive personalized home care plans that evolve throughout their treatment in order to obtain the greatest benefits from chiropractic care. Her office is a welcoming space that includes a play area for kids, making appointments feel inclusive and family centered.

Snook-Snow credits the Mid-America LGBT Chamber in helping her achieve a successful first year in business. From the ribbon cutting, which brought many community members together, to helping Snook-Snow connect with fellow business owners, the Chamber’s support helped her to grow her client base.

“As a small, growing business, having that community behind me has been invaluable for building relationships and spreading the word about my practice,” said Snook-Snow.

Snook-Snow Chiro is located at 616 E. 63rd Street, Suite 105, Kansas City, Mo. For more information, visit https://www.snook-snowchiro.com/

Missouri Kansas Queer Law  

Missouri Kansas Queer Law (MKQL) provides legal counsel related to civil rights and discrimination law, family law, gender marker and name change cases, and power of attorney and living wills. The firm is a fierce advocate for queer folks’ specific needs and brings an informed perspective to their clients.

“You don’t have to explain to us the intricacies of being queer or how scary it is to live in today’s political climate. We keep up to date on what is happening legislatively and can help the queer community understand what is going on,” said Arden Pearson, firm junior partner.

Support from the Chamber, visibility thanks to networking opportunities, and Pearson’s participation in the Metzler Mentor Program have been integral to the firm’s growth in Kansas City and beyond after just two years in business.

“Networking events have helped our staff develop a network of business partners that we rely on to effectively run our business and still feel good that we are keeping as much business within the LGBTQ+ community as possible,” said Pearson.

Missouri Kansas Queer Law Firm is located at 103 W. 26th Avenue, Suite 200, Kansas City, Mo. For more information, visit: https://www.mokanqueerlaw.com/

"Through networking opportunities and community events, we've been able to increase awareness about our services..."

– Traci Smiley, DPT, Owner

"The Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce has been a critical catalyst for No Divide KC, helping us evolve from a grassroots arts collective into a recognized, award-winning nonprofit."

– Stacy Busch,
Executive Director

"As a small, growing business, having that community behind me has been invaluable for building relationships and spreading the word about my practice."

– Dr. Joanna Snook-Snow

"Networking events have helped our staff develop a network of business partners that we rely on to effectively run our business..."

– Arden Pearson Junior Partner

Watch the Big Matches

Chamber Members Get Ready to Welcome the World!

Photo courtesy of FIFA World Cup 2026™

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

At the center of the world and the center of the performing arts, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City offers a free, one-day youth performance festival to help you experience all Kansas City has to offer. Join us for Future Stages Festival, an event that spotlights diversity in the performing arts, Sunday, June 14, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Catch four stages of talented young performers and artists, along with fun activities for kids and exciting arts experiences for all ages.

Join us in celebrating youth, diversity and artistic expression at this one-of-a-kind event!

kauffmancenter.org/future-stages-festival
@kauffmancenter

MOCSA

As Kansas City prepares to welcome soccer fans from around the world, MOCSA is helping businesses throughout the metro area safer spaces for everyone who walks through their doors. Our SAFE (Sexual Assault-Free Environment) Training equips bar, restaurant and hospitality staff with practical bystander intervention skills to recognize concerning behaviors, intervene effectively and support survivors.

All services are free of charge. The training lasts about 60-90 minutes. All trained places will receive a window cling that states “This Establishment is Safe Trained,” coasters, training booklets, outreach materials with MOCSA’s 24-hour Support and Crisis Line, and access to MOCSA staff and resources for check-ins, questions and repeat training as needed. Trained locations are also featured on our website and social media pages at no cost. Join the growing network of Kansas City establishments committed to prevention, safety and hospitality that truly welcomes all. Contact Brandy Williams to schedule your training: [email protected].

Website: https://mocsa.org/safe/

Social Media: @MOCSAkc

Kansas City Art Institute

Game On, KC!
Host Your VIP Party in Style
June 16 – July 11, 2026

Kansas City is about to take center stage and your brand can, too! As the world arrives for the ultimate global sporting event, the Kansas City Art Institute is your destination for an unforgettable VIP celebration.

KCAI features the stunning Vanderslice Mansion and beautifully landscaped green spaces, ideally located along the new streetcar expansion between the Nelson-Atkins and the Country Club Plaza. This prime location places your event at the center of the action.

Schedule a private walkthrough and begin designing your custom sports hospitality experience at KCAI. With our vibrant artistic community, historic campus charm and unmatched location, this partnership positions your event at the cultural forefront of Kansas City’s 2026 celebration. Find out more information at - kcai.edu/space-rental/vip-party-venue

Website - https://kcai.edu/space-rental/vip-party-venue/

The Dub

The Dub is a different kind of sports bar – we proudly cater to the LGBTQ+ community, and we’re hands down the best place for all fans to catch the World Cup™ games this summer. With plenty of screens, a great patio, an electric game-day atmosphere and a welcoming, inclusive vibe, The Dub brings together passionate soccer supporters of every background. The Dub will celebrate the World Cup™ with a themed menu with drink specials, plenty of giveaways and prizes and unmatched energy where everyone feels welcome. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just in it for the excitement, great drinks and community spirit, The Dub is where the World Cup™ comes alive.