Kansas City, Missouri – Kansas City is adding a new distinction to its long-running message about inclusion, earning a Certified Welcoming Star designation from Welcoming America in recognition of efforts aimed at making local government and community life more accessible to immigrants and newcomers.
Mayor Quinton Lucas said the designation reflects a broader truth about the city itself.
“Kansas City has always been a city that understands our strength comes from the diversity of the people who call it home,” said Mayor Lucas.
“The Certified Welcoming recognition reflects the real work our city has done to ensure that every resident — regardless of where they were born — has an opportunity to contribute, to thrive, and to belong here. We’re proud of our Certified Welcoming Star designation, and even more proud of the Kansas City residents and community partners who made it possible.”
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The designation comes through Welcoming America, which formally recognizes cities and counties whose policies and programs demonstrate a commitment to immigrant inclusion. Since the program launched in 2017, and especially after the introduction of its star-based system in 2023, the organization’s Welcoming Standard has served as a guide for local governments working to build stronger, more connected communities.
For Kansas City, the recognition did not arrive overnight. It follows years of work across public, private and nonprofit spaces to make services easier to reach and institutions easier to navigate. One area singled out in the Welcoming America audit was language access, a key part of helping residents interact with city services regardless of the language they speak.
That effort has been reinforced by organizations working directly with immigrant communities across the area. Among them are the Kansas City Public Library’s Refugee & Immigrant Support & Empowerment (RISE) Program, Literacy KC and Art as Mentorship, each contributing in different ways to education, economic mobility and a stronger sense of belonging.
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Welcoming America Executive Director Rachel Perić said the designation is rooted in a shared effort that stretches beyond City Hall.
“This designation reflects years of effort by Kansas City residents, civic, faith and business leaders, who came together around a shared vision to make Kansas City a place where everyone belongs and can find opportunity,” said Welcoming America Executive Director Rachel Perić.
“We’re proud to recognize Kansas City as a Certified Welcoming community.”
A major part of that work has also involved Welcoming KC, an initiative of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce that has helped lead regional immigrant inclusion efforts.
City leaders say that partnership will remain important as Kansas City builds on the designation and looks for new ways to widen access, deepen belonging and create opportunity for immigrant residents in the years ahead.
