Kansas City Gains Certified Welcoming Star Designation by Welcoming America

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Mayor Quinton Lucas today announced that Kansas City has achieved Certified Welcoming designation from Welcoming America, recognizing the City's policies and programs that reflect its commitment to immigrant inclusion and belonging.

Certified Welcoming is a formal designation by Welcoming America for cities and counties that have created policies and programs that reflect their values and commitment to immigrant inclusion and belonging. Since launching in 2017 and introducing a new star designation system in 2023, Certified Welcoming and its operating framework, the Welcoming Standard, have served as a roadmap for local governments seeking to build truly welcoming communities.

"Kansas City has always been a city that understands our strength comes from the diversity of the people who call it home," said Mayor Lucas. "The Certified Welcoming recognition reflects the real work our city has done to ensure that every resident - regardless of where they were born - has an opportunity to contribute, to thrive, and to belong here. We're proud of our Certified Welcoming Star designation, and even more proud of the Kansas City residents and community partners who made it possible."

Kansas City's path to this designation reflects years of cross-sector investment in making city government accessible and inclusive. A particular strength highlighted in the Welcoming America audit was the City's commitment to language access, ensuring all residents can navigate local government services regardless of the language they speak. The City's commitment to language access is reinforced by a network of community-based organizations, including the Kansas City Public Library's Refugee & Immigrant Support & Empowerment (RISE) Program, Literacy KC, and Art as Mentorship, which together expand access to education, economic opportunity, and community belonging for immigrant residents across the Kansas City area.

"This designation reflects years of effort by Kansas City residents, civic, faith and business leaders, who came together around a shared vision to make Kansas City a place where everyone belongs and can find opportunity," said Welcoming America Executive Director Rachel Perić. "We're proud to recognize Kansas City as a Certified Welcoming community."

Welcoming KC, a strategic initiative of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, has been a central partner in advancing regional immigrant inclusion efforts and will continue to play a key role as Kansas City builds on this milestone.

The City remains committed to strengthening those partnerships and expanding opportunities for immigrant residents to contribute to and thrive in the community they call home.

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About Kansas City
The City of Kansas City is a full-service municipal government delivering essential services to residents, businesses and visitors across the community. Home to a rich jazz legacy, world-class barbecue and a culture defined by creativity, kindness and community spirit, Kansas City pairs civic pride with a strong commitment to public service. Through its departments and services, Kansas City supports public safety, neighborhood livability, infrastructure, transportation, public health, environmental stewardship and responsible economic growth while working to build a diverse and sustainable community of choice for people to live, work and play.

About Certified Welcoming

Certified Welcoming is a formal designation for local governments that have created policies and programs reflecting their values and commitment to immigrant inclusion. This innovative program assesses local governments on their efforts to include and welcome immigrants in all areas of civic, social, and economic life in their communities. With a Certified Welcoming designation, communities distinguish their local efforts, build a competitive advantage, and gain access to opportunities to share their welcoming practices on a regional, national, and global stage.

About Welcoming America

Welcoming America is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that leads a movement of inclusive communities becoming more prosperous by ensuring everyone belongs. We believe that all people, including immigrants, are valued contributors and vital to the success of our communities and shared future. Learn more at welcomingamerica.org.

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