2025 MLK MASS CELEBRATION

MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 6:00 PM

ST. JAMES UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
5540 Wayne Ave., Kansas City, MO 64110

Flyer Coming Soon

Our Panelists & 2025 Award Recipients
To Be Announced Soon

Congratulations to Our 2024 Award Recipients!

Community Service Award

In the late 80s and early 90s Ossco Bolton, III was the leader of a gang called the South Side Posse. The group initially came together to record rap songs, but the gang's musical aspirations stopped and the members got caught up in street violence. By 1993 Ossco had been shot three times and decided to become a mentor. He helped police and youth find ways to stop the violence. Ossco is now a motivational speaker, trainer, youth/gang specialist, and trained mediator who has helped feuding families solve their conflicts.

Ossco Bolton, III
& the organization P.O.S.S.E. (Peers Organized to Support Student Excellence)

Special Recognition

Jermaine Reed has spent most of his life involved in public service, through community advocacy, elected office, and civic entrepreneurship. Following a youth marked by service in community and national leadership organizations—which prompted The Pitch to name him Kansas City’s “Best Student Activist”—he would become the youngest person ever elected to the Kansas City, Missouri, City Council. In his two terms, Reed spearheaded more than $300 million worth of investment in the 3rd District, including new grocery stores, a new police campus, increased public transit, and other major infrastructure projects.

Following his time on the City Council, Reed founded KGR Consultants, LLC, through which he leverages his city-government expertise to help a range of clients develop government-relations strategies. He also continues to serve in elected office, as a trustee of Metropolitan Community College and on the national board of the Association of Community College Trustees.