Only 1 in 3 students in Kansas City is in a quality school. We unapologetically advocate for and invest in solutions that drive strong academic outcomes for our students.
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Since our founding in 2020, we have partnered with parents, students, educators, and community members most directly impacted by the challenges in our education system to ensure their voices directly shape the solutions. Because at BLAQUE Kansas City, we build with—not for—our Kansas City community.
My long-term vision as Founder and CEO is that every child in Kansas City has access to a quality school. No exceptions.
The work ahead is substantial, and the stakes for our city’s future could not be higher. Yet I remain hopeful because meaningful change is possible when communities come together with shared purpose and collective resolve.
Meeting this moment requires all of us, together. It will take educators, families, advocates, investors, and community leaders who are willing to lean in, stay engaged, and help build the future our children deserve. Let’s begin.
With gratitude and purpose,
Dr. Cokethea Hill-Woodard
Founder and CEO of BLAQUE Kansas City
Our programs help community leaders step into school board leadership, train teachers of color to best support their students, and support Black students to perform better in the classroom.
We are proud to invest in local charter schools to combat the quality crisis in Kansas City classrooms, improve classroom resources, improve teacher training, and ensure that education is an exciting and affirming experience.
All of our work starts with high-quality data that helps us understand how students across Kansas City’s school systems are performing and where action is needed most. We turn that information into insights, recommendations, and advocacy that strengthen schools and shape local and state policy.
Through investments, partnerships, and policy, we’re rebuilding an educational system that centers each individual child so they can be successful, in and out of the classroom.
BLAQUE Kansas City’s Substack is where we break down data, elevate community voices, and bring you inside the education conversations impacting Kansas City and beyond.
Subscribe to Our Substack
Dr. Cokethea Hill-Woodard is Founder and CEO of BLAQUE Kansas City. A proud Kansas City native and graduate of Kansas City Public Schools, she has dedicated her career to transforming systems
Prior to founding BLAQUE Kansas City, Dr. Hill-Woodard led housing, education, and community investment initiatives through organizations including MARC, the University of Kansas SWIFT Center, and SchoolSmartKC. She previously served on both the Kansas City Public School Board and Kansas City Council, and continues to shape civic and educational outcomes through leadership across the region.
Nichol Smith is Chief Operations Officer at BLAQUE Kansas City, bringing more than 20 years of experience in financial management and organizational operations. She leads the organization’s financial
Known for her strategic and data-informed approach, Nichol specializes in budget planning, financial oversight, and operational efficiency. Her leadership helps ensure the organization’s resources are aligned to maximize organizational impact and advance the organization’s mission across Kansas City communities.
Julian De La Paz is Vice President of Strategic Communications & Brand Management at BLAQUE Kansas City, where he leads brand strategy, storytelling, media relations, and organizational
A proud graduate of Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service, Julian serves as a Senator on the Georgetown University Alumni Association Board of Governors and as Co-Chair of Hoyas with Pride, the university’s LGBTQ+ alumni affinity group. Outside of work, he is an avid endurance athlete and ultrarunner.
Charles Stanley Jr. is Vice President of School Quality & Growth at BLAQUE Kansas City, where he works to expand access to high-quality schools and strengthen outcomes for students across Kansas City. An experienced educator
His work is grounded in the belief that every student deserves access to an excellent education and that strong leadership, accountability, and community voice are essential to lasting change. Through his leadership at BLAQUE Kansas City, Charles helps advance initiatives focused on governance, school quality, and long-term student success.
They change because of the work we do together. In classrooms, on school boards, in our community, and at tables where everyone has a seat.
BLAQUE Kansas City is an educational nonprofit in Kansas City that advances quality education for local Black students by investing in three areas: strong school governance, high-quality schools, and a diverse teacher pipeline. We recruit and train community leaders to serve on charter school boards, invest in schools that are driving strong outcomes, and build the educator pipeline our students deserve, all in deep partnership with our community.
Anyone who cares about educational equity in Kansas City can join us. Parents, students, educators, and community members all have a role to play in this work. Visit our Get Involved page to learn more.
There are lots of ways to support our work, whether you're a parent looking for resources, a community member ready to step into leadership, an aspiring or current educator interested strengthening their skills through Teach KC, or a funder looking to invest in real impact. Head to our Get Involved page to find the right entry point for you, or subscribe to our Substack to stay connected to the work.
Kansas City is home to incredible organizations doing important work. But locally, there's no other organization doing what we do. Our advocacy for a stronger public school system in Kansas City includes building the governance structures, teacher pipelines, and community leadership that make better schools possible. We don't do to our community. We build with them. And we don't just talk about change, we fund it, train for it, and celebrate it when it happens.
Stay informed about our work and upcoming opportunities in Kansas City.