“Kimiko joined my team a few months after I arrived in Kansas City in 2018, and she has been a true partner and colleague,” Agrawal said. “She has shared and supported my vision for our university and her leadership and collaborative spirit will be sorely missed.”

Black Gilmore (B.A. ’89) had served under Mayor Sly James and now will join Mayor Quinton Lucas’s staff as an assistant city manager, supporting him and new city manager Brian Platt. She has spent most of her career developing and implementing local policy. Her last day at UMKC is March 5.

Agrawal praised Black Gilmore’s work on the Roos Advocate for Community Change platform.

“Kimiko has been working with students, faculty and staff to ensure that we are listening to our campus and our community and moving the needle on social justice and equity,” he said.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said her return to city government could lead to additional partnership opportunities between the university and the city.

“Kimiko was a vital asset to Kansas City government during her tenure here prior to joining Chancellor Agrawal’s team, so when City Manager Brian Platt began in his role last December, one of my first recommendations to him was to seek Ms. Black Gilmore’s professional counsel,” Lucas said. “I am thrilled she will soon be returning to Kansas City government as an Assistant City Manager. I look forward to hearing her ideas on ways to partner with and utilize the great work being done by students, faculty, and staff at UMKC as we continue our work to build a better Kansas City for all.”

Black Gilmore offered her thanks to her UMKC colleagues.

“It has been an honor to work alongside Chancellor Agrawal as he crafts his vision for UMKC. With his guidance I have gained an appreciation for the inner workings of higher education administration and a deeper understanding of how to implement necessary changes during challenging times,” Black Gilmore said.

She expressed her gratitude to her Executive Council colleagues, especially for their leadership during the pandemic; and to Kimberly Johnson, Veronica Jackson and other staff and faculty colleagues.

“Your encouragement, wisdom and humor made each day a good day. I will forever treasure my time at UMKC.”    

The chancellor also announced two additional personnel changes based on Black Gilmore’s resignation. Sheri Gormley, executive director of strategic initiatives in the chancellor’s office, will move into the chief of staff role. Director of Diversity Initiatives Makini King will replace Black Gilmore as interim vice chancellor for diversity, equity and inclusion while UMKC conducts a national search to permanently fill that position.