About KC Empire Dreams
KC Empire Dreams supports the development and sustainability of thriving and empowered communities in Kansas City’s urban core.
We utilize a holistic model of community development built on intentional relationships to develop neighborhoods, support families, empower leaders, and equip entrepreneurs.
Our targeted neighborhood approach is designed to:
- Dismantle systemic racism and generational poverty
- Confront social disorganization and social isolation
- Remediate the effects of childhood trauma
- Establish connected and supported communities
- Strengthen and restore the family unit
- Offer enduring access to affordable homeownership for indigenous east-side residents.
Core Objectives
1. To develop safe, healthy, and vibrant communities and families.
2. To raise up hidden leaders and entrepreneurs in east-side KC.
3. To provide pathways to enduring homeownership & safe, affordable and quality housing options.
4. To see every individual achieve their full potential.
Our Beliefs
1. Our community is beautiful.
2. Our community faces systemic and systematic barriers to stability and growth.
3. Every individual in our community is valuable, possesses great worth and has the potential to achieve great things.
4. Individuals are most prone to succeed when connected to a larger tribe, community, or social network that champions them on their journey and offers opportunity for access to resources available in their social network.
Our Framework:
- Strengths-Based vs. Deficit-Based
- Empowering vs. Enabling
- Life Coach vs. Social Service Provider
- Career Growth/Entrepreneurship vs. Job Obtainment
- Grassroots vs. Institutional
Our Pillars and Philosophy
- Hope: Belief in the possibility that dreams can be achieved
- Partnership: authentic encouragement, motivation and accountability along the way
- Opportunity: the tangible ability to access realms of stability and growth
- Resource: bridges to social-connectedness and pooled resources
Kimberly Ann
Founder & Director
Kimberly has over 17 years experience working in neighborhoods and with families in some of our nation’s most disenfranchised and neglected communities. She has developed numerous programs, models and curriculums to support holistic, grassroots community development and family restoration.
Kimberly is passionate about seeing individuals step into their unique purpose, passion, and potential from a whole and healed heart. Her strengths are exemplified in program and vision development, effective communication, and relational competency. She is a mother of 5 and has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from UMKC and a minor in urban studies.
Will Collins
Neighborhood & Youth Support Specialist
Will is a creative entrepreneur, artist, screen printer, community advocate and the founder of Integrity Screen Printing.He is dedicated to community impact, youth empowerment, mental health awareness, and creating opportunities for others through education, mentorship, and entrepreneurship. His mission is to combine creativity, purpose, and innovation to build brands while making a positive difference in the community.
Gabrielle Chronister
Resource Specialist via The Agape Embrace
Gabrielle Dominique excitedly joins our team. She has a background in nutrition, anatomy, psychology, sociology, behavior analysis, and communications. An academic to boot but also a Mother and signed KC Artist that wants to spread the love of resources and the arts to help our youth and families. She’s ready to put all of this knowledge toward serving our community and be an asset to the team at Empire Dreams.
Shakedra Easterwood
Family Empowerment Coach via Resilience to Brilliance
Shakedra Easterwood is a certified life coach and founder of Resilience to Brilliance LLC. She is the author of A Life Fulfilled: 7 Strategies to Pivot Your Mindset from Lack to Abundance, where she shares practical strategies and personal insights for healing and thriving beyond trauma.
Shakedra holds master’s degrees in Media and Communication from Norfolk State University and Global Governance from Park University. She is passionate about advancing holistic wellness and helping build thriving communities.
Emily King
Youth Program Director
Emily has over 15 years of experience working with children and youth in various settings including education, after school programs, youth ministries, and residential treatment. She has a passion to see young people reach their full potential and enjoys partnering with families to promote their healthy development. She has a four year diploma in ministry leadership and a BA from UMKC in psychology and sociology.
Eric Perry
Youth & Community Development Advocate
Eric Perry is a passionate community youth support specialist, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Glib Clothing & Entertainment. With a heart for community development and personal growth, he is dedicated to creating opportunities that inspire awareness, education, and connection. Through music, media, fashion, and content creation, Eric works to empower youth and strengthen communities by providing career guidance, knowledge, and positive engagement experiences.
Board Members
Elizabeth Blando
Marc Jackson
Regan Smith
Lauren Fraser
Raymond Mabion Sr
Advisory Board Members
Racquel Adams
Nathan B. Goertzen
Norman Henry
Ericka Saielli
Jacob Bosch
Victor Hammonds
Jessica Powell
About KC Empire Dreams
KC Empire Dreams is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization supporting the development and sustainability of thriving and empowered communities. EIN: 39-4913819
Contact Us
816-433-0917