Each year, the UMKC Alumni Association recognizes outstanding alumni achievements with an awards celebration. Henry Wash (B.A., M.P.A) is the Class of 2024 Defying the Odds Award recipient.
Wash is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of High Aspirations (HA) and served as a mentor and board member of HA from 2003 to 2013. He has over 26 years of expertise in designing, implementing and evaluating programming for at-risk populations.
Wash’s educational accomplishments include an associate degree in applied science, associate degree in arts, bachelor’s in sociology, minor in Black studies and Master of Public Administration in urban affairs.
He overcame his circumstances in large part due to the mentoring he received from two prominent Kansas Citians, Henry W. Bloch and Thurman N. Mitchell, KCTV5. These two mentors have helped Wash identify his purpose in life. This led Wash to pursue his vision of making an impact on the Kansas City community, especially for young men. Wash is a current board member of Caring for Kids, Children’s Campus KCK, KC Common Good and Hawthorn Foundation.
What was the inspiration for High Aspirations?
HA was one of my research projects while attending the UMKC Henry W. Bloch School of Management in 2003. It was founded on evidence-based peer reviewed and empirical research from various backgrounds such as public administration, anthropology, sociology, higher education, psychology, Black studies and business. I walked away from a profession in the freight world to pursue my true calling in 2013 and have not looked back since. Today, we have the first mentoring campus for African American men in Kansas City. Our vision is to help make the world a better place.
How did UMKC prepare you for or contribute to your success?
I would not be where I am today without UMKC. My education gave me the foundation to gain experience and become the Henry Wash I am today.
What advice do you have for students who would like to follow in your footsteps?
Take your time. It has taken me 20 years. The sooner you pursue the purpose in your life, the better you’ll be.