The Power of Civic Connection
Last night, PLTI-KC hosted our annual Power of Civic Connection, a gathering designed to bring together parent leaders, alumni, elected officials, and community leaders in one room to strengthen relationships that move Kansas City forward.
More than a reception or networking event, this gathering is an extension of PLTI’s purpose: to build civic confidence, create pathways to influence, and ensure that parents are partners in shaping a city where children and families can thrive.
The energy in the room was undeniable. Parents seated beside school board members, nonprofit leaders in conversation with state representatives, and alumni sharing stories of advocacy wins and personal growth.
Lauren Conaway, Founder & CEO of InnovateHer KC, captured the spirit of the evening perfectly:
“True innovation requires that we look in unexpected places. It’s when we connect people who wouldn’t otherwise meet, when we look at opportunities through lenses we’re not accustomed to, that’s when we find the spark of true innovation. When we come together to do that in service of our students and our school ecosystem, we all become stronger for it.”
Connections like these across sectors, neighborhoods, and lived experiences are the foundation of meaningful civic change.
One of the most powerful voices of the night came from Chelawnta, a PLTI parent leader alumna who returned for her second Civic Connection gathering with a completely different outlook. Last year, she shared that she walked into the event overwhelmed and unsure of her place. This year was different.
“Who I am now compared to this time last year is completely different… This time I showed up with new confidence, this new identity. No imposter syndrome, the brakes off, and it has been phenomenal.”
She described this year sitting confidently at tables with people she’d never met, encouraging current cohort members, learning from seasoned leaders, and making meaningful connections. Chelawnta also reflected on how PLTI empowered her to expand her community project, the NAPS Postpartum Support Program into a fully developed, structured initiative now partnering with the Ronald McDonald House and building a partnership with the KCMO Health Department.
She credits PLTI with helping her take her work from idea to impact:
“Any events that PLTI has — they are to grow you. I am who I am in my business today because of PLTI. So go to everything. Even if you don’t know what you want to do yet… what doesn’t shift is the title ‘parent leader.’”
Her story is one of dozens across our network — proof that when parents have the skills, relationships, and confidence to lead, entire systems become more responsive to families.
This year’s event showed us, once again, that civic power grows in community. Everywhere in the room, relationships strengthened that will lead to real change in schools, neighborhoods, and city systems.
We are grateful to every parent leader who showed courage, every official who showed up to listen, and every partner who continues to believe in the transformative power of parent voice.
To everyone who attended: thank you. You are the reason PLTI exists, and the reason Kansas City’s civic future is so bright.
