Category: KCKCC

Special art exhibition opens Nov. 7 at KCKCC’s The Gallery

by Kelly Rogge

A history of black culture will be explored through the artistic eye of artist Danny Diallo Hinds at a special exhibition this week at Kansas City Kansas Community College’s The Gallery.

The exhibition opens at 5 p.m. Nov. 7 at KCKCC, 7250 State Ave. with an opening reception in which Hinds will attend. The Gallery is in Lower Jewell next to the deli area. The reception continues until 8 p.m. and will feature African drumming along with the artist’s works. The exhibition continues through Nov. 14. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Admission is free and open to the public.

Hinds works with graphite pencil, color pencil and acrylic paint to capture iconic individuals who have contributed to black culture. He states that he chooses his subjects from “all walks of life across the globe, those who have made extensive and valuable contributions throughout our historic past and present.”

Hinds was born in Barbados and holds various degrees in music and art from multiple schools in the United States and abroad. He is a trained dancer, musician and teacher in addition to his work in the visual arts.

This is the second artist show at The Gallery, which opened in May of 2014.

For more information on The Gallery at KCKCC, contact Barbara Clark-Evans, director of the Intercultural Center, at 913-288-7504.

Kelly Rogge is the public information supervisor at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

KCKCC Endowment Association event raises more than $65,000

by Kelly Rogge
When Patrick McCartney was planning for the Kansas City Kansas Community College Endowment Association’s gala, the possibility the Kansas City Royals would play in the post season was not even a consideration. However, the excitement the Royals brought to Kansas City only helped the gala surpass its fundraising goal for the first-year event.

“We factored in a lot of things when we were planning this event. The Royals being in the World Series was never considered,” said the executive director of the KCKCC Endowment Association. “But it was not a hindrance. If anything, I think it livened up the crowds for the auctions. There was a level of excitement that was brought into the room.”

More than 300 people attended the 4.0 Gala, presented by AT&T, Oct. 25 at Lake Quivira. In addition to a reception and dinner, there was a silent and live auction, presented by the Nigro Brothers as well as the presentation of two awards.

These were the Wyandotte Countian of the Year, given to former Mayor of the Unified Government Joe Reardon and the KCKCC Distinguished Alumni Award, given to Karen Orr, chief nursing officer for Providence Medical Center. The decision was also made to show Game 5 of the World Series during dinner to encourage people to still attend the event.

In total, the gala raised $65,345 for the KCKCC Endowment Association. McCartney said with an original goal of $45,000, he was thrilled with the result.

“Being our first event, I thought it was extremely successful,” he said. “It was fun, and a great opportunity to meet a lot of new people and help them become familiar with KCKCC and the Endowment Association.”

Dawanna Fangohr, professional assistant for the Endowment Association, said she feels KCKCC “broadened its horizons” with the success of the 4.0 Gala.

“Our goal is to make this the go to event in Wyandotte County,” she said. “I think we are on the road to doing that. Next year, we hope even more people come based on word of mouth and the type of auction items we are able to bring in.”

Those auction items included dinner with Kansas City Royals Hall of Famer and Kansas City T-Bones coach Frank White; a Playa del Carmen, Mexico Condo Getaway; a Proformance Golf Package; a Village West Staycation Package; a Kansas City sports ticket package and a Lidia’s Package compete with a chef’s menu dinner, among others. McCartney said the most popular was a Marco Island, Fla. Condo Getaway, which was auctioned twice for $2,600 each. A gift basket full of Kansas City Royals merchandise in the silent auction went for more than $400.

“It was a great venue, great weather. We really couldn’t have scripted it much better for our first time,” he said. “I don’t foresee any major changes for next year. There will be some tweaking here and there. Things can always be better to improve an event, but I don’t anticipate any major changes from what we did this year.”

AT&T was the presenting sponsor of the 4.0 Gala. In addition, Capitol Federal and Bank of Blue Valley signed on as major sponsors of the event.

For more information on the KCKCC Endowment Association, call 913-288-7675.

Kelly Rogge is the public information supervisor at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

Freshmen spark KCKCC to opening 90-84 win; home again Monday

by Alan Hoskins

Kansas City Kansas Community College’s promising young freshmen got their first test of collegiate basketball play Saturday and responded with a 90-84 win over Livin’ The Dream.

“This was a good win for our young basketball team, especially against a Livin’ The Dream team made up of former college and professional players who know how to play,” said KCKCC coach Kelley Newton.

The Blue Devils are right back in action Monday when they play host to Saint Mary JV at 7 p.m. while the KCKCC women open their season Tuesday, playing host to Missouri Valley JV at 8 p.m. immediately after the KCKCC-Longview volleyball game which starts at 6 p.m.

The Blue Devils built a 52-32 halftime lead Saturday and then had to hold on as former Wyandotte, Coffeyville Community College and Illinois State star Boo Richardson scored all of his 20 points and handed out eight assists in leading a 52-point second half Dream comeback. Former KCKCC standout Kyle Sloan added 15 points for Livin’ the Dream, which closed to within seven points in the second half with less than three minutes remaining.

“When they made those big runs, I thought we stayed composed and were able to hold them off,” Newton said.

Deadly shooting carried the Blue Devils, who were 32 of 63 for the game for 50.8 percent to offset 16 turnovers. The Blue Devils were particularly effective from 3-point range, knocking down 11 of 22. Shawnee Heights freshman Tevin Downing led the way with 4-of-5 3-pointers on the way to a game high 25 points.

Lansing’s Joe Lendway, who was 7-of-9 from the field, added 15 points and seven rebounds; 6-6 Armoni Shorter 13 points including 3-of-3 treys; and Shawnee Heights’ Braeson Sester 10 points and four assists. Austin Hall, a 6-5 frosh from Aurora, Colo., led all rebounders with 12 and scored eight points while Devin Ruis, the lone sophomore who played, had seven rebounds and six points.
Alan Hoskins is the sports information director for KCKCC.