One of the pillars of the UMKC Strategic Plan is to foster an environment of invigorating multiculturalism, globalism, diversity and inclusion.

UMKC Division of Diversity and Inclusion

Economic development, neighborhood development and technology all are key to creating a more equitable Kansas City community.

UMKC Innovation Center

• ELEVATIONLAB offers trainings based on community needs that enhance entrepreneurial skills and abilities as part of the Missouri Small Business Development Center at UMKC. Classes and workshops target every business stage.
• Whiteboard2Boardroom connects entrepreneurs and established businesses to technologies available for licensing at institutions of higher education, hospitals and corporations in the bi-state region to stimulate applied research, leverage innovation in the marketplace and accelerate the commercialization of technology.
• Digital Sandbox KC provides proof-of-concept resources to support early-stage commercialization processes including access to technology, business and market experts and funding for early stage market validation, prototyping and beta-testing services.
• KCSourceLink is a one-stop shop to help aspiring startups and established businesses find the right business resources to start, scale or accelerate.

Urban Business Growth Initiative

Urban Business Growth Initiative helps spark, sustain and support urban businesses. As part of the initiative, aspiring entrepreneurs and established business owners who live or operate businesses in Kansas City's urban core can apply for scholarships to receive substantial discounts toward just-in-time and transformative entrepreneurship education.

Kansas City Coalition for Digital Inclusion

Kansas City Coalition for Digital Inclusion works to bridge the digital divide in order maximize community resources for the greatest impact.

Center for Neighborhoods

Center for Neighborhoods provides Kansas City neighborhood leaders, advocates and residents with access to faculty, students and university resources.

UMKC Institute for Data Education, Analytics and Science

IDEAS partners with organizations and individuals to give them the tools to incorporate data analytics into their workflow. Housed within UMKC, IDEAS works toward for-credit and continuing education, multidisciplinary research and community engagement centered on the growing field of data science.

The UMKC School of Education is committed to improving education — the bedrock of equality — and fostering more inclusive urban public schools.

Institute for Urban Education (IUE)

IUE addresses racial disparities and educational inequities through the preparation and support of exemplary teachers for richly diverse schools in Kansas City. With a focus on culturally responsive teaching, culturally relevant teaching, anti-racist education, relationships with students, family and the community and innovation in teaching and learning, the IUE is committed to reciprocal partnerships with our school partners and the community. The three primary initiatives of the IUE are teacher pipeline programs (high school and community colleges), teacher preparation and service to schools and teachers.

Urban Education Research Center (UERC)

UERC engages with educators, researchers, community leaders, advocacy groups, industries and service organizations throughout the Greater Kansas City area and nation to address vexing educational challenges. The UERC works to create reliable, usable knowledge about education in urban areas with the goal of promoting excellent schooling and improving the lives, opportunities and communities of urban residents.

Health-care disparities have fatal consequences for the Black community. Here are ways UMKC is working to narrow the gap.

Community Health Research Group (CHRG)

CHRG focuses on community-engaged and theoretical approaches to address health inequities among underserved populations, primarily African Americans. These partners assist in developing, implementing, evaluating and disseminating scalable and sustainable interventions to improve health outcomes in community settings.

• KC FAITH Initiative Community Action Board conducts health-promotion research with rural faith-based populations in Jamaica, West Indies.

UMKC Health Equity Institute

UMKC Health Equity Institute works collaboratively to tackle systemic health disparities and their root causes. Faculty, staff, students and community members are engaged in these efforts to create innovative health equity solutions that reverse social determinants and improve health and quality of life.

The libraries and academic departments at UMKC offer additional resources for the community.

UMKC University Libraries

UMKC University Libraries help those who are unable to find the expertise they're seeking in the other resources listed. Community members can reach out to librarians with their specific information need.

Academic departments