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Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace greets community members at the end of the blue carpet at the Kauffman Foundation's Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.
As guests walk the blue carpet into the Foundation, Kauffman President and CEO DeAngela Burns-Wallace, Ed.D, welcomes entrepreneur and founder of One Pair KC, Jerren Thornhill. One Pair customized Dr. Burns-Wallace’s shoes for the evening with the Kauffman icon. One Pair started as a neighborhood shoe store on Troost Ave., owned by Thornhill and operated by youth entrepreneurs to teach entrepreneurial skills, life skills, and build self-awareness.

With open doors, the Kauffman Foundation rolls out the blue carpet

Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace welcomes guests into the Foundation for a night of connection and engagement for collective impact to last far beyond the evening.

Written by Julie Scheidegger
Video by Matthew Long

It was a beautiful evening as friends, partners, and neighbors walked the blue carpet into the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation for the “Rolling out the Blue Carpet” open house Sept. 28. And, as our president and CEO DeAngela Burns-Wallace, Ed.D., said then, while this is a beautiful moment to celebrate, this is just the beginning.

Dr. Burns-Wallace welcomed everyone into the Foundation and from the patio between the two wings of the building, offered her remarks. “To be in community in this space is a true piece of Mr. Kauffman’s legacy,” Dr. Burns-Wallace said.

The Foundation building was opened in 1999, and its two wings were designed to be arms open to Troost Avenue. She said its very structure is an intentional reminder from Mr. Kauffman of the work that was to happen by the associates, for this community, in this building.

“The mission, the passion, the commitment to changing lives is the privilege that myself, and the associates, do not take lightly. We do this in community, with integrity and commitment to create the opportunity and access that is needed.”

She spoke of a true sense of urgency.

Mr. Kauffman does not expect us to do it the way he did it when he was at the helm. He wants us to evolve… We have the ability to stand in the gaps and do the work differently; do the work, more importantly, in partnership.

— Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace
President and CEO, Kauffman Foundation
Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace greets community members at the end of the blue carpet at the Kauffman Foundation's Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.
Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace greets community members at the end of the blue carpet at the Kauffman Foundation's Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.
Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace greets community members at the end of the blue carpet at the Kauffman Foundation's Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.
Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace greets community members at the end of the blue carpet at the Kauffman Foundation's Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.
Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace greets community members at the end of the blue carpet at the Kauffman Foundation's Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.
A side profile of the portrait bust of Ewing Marion Kauffman inside of the Kauffman Foundation
The Kauffman Foundation Open House agenda featuring a Charlie Hustle KC heart lapel pin
Kauffman associates gather for the Open House event on Sept. 28, 2023.
Kauffman Foundation Board of Trustees members Matt Condon and Earl Phalen with
Community members pose on the Blue Carpet at the Open House event at Kauffman Foundation Sept. 28, 2023.
Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace greets community members at the end of the blue carpet at the Kauffman Foundation's Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.
Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace greets community members at the end of the blue carpet at the Kauffman Foundation's Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.
Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace greets community members at the end of the blue carpet at the Kauffman Foundation's Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.
Karen Daniels, Michelle Caldeira, and Gloria Jackson-Leathers at the Kauffman Foundation Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.
Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace's custom shoes from OnePair KC.
Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace speaks to community members during the Kauffman Foundation's Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.
Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace speaks to community members during the Kauffman Foundation's Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.
Community members listening to Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace's remarks at the Kauffman Foundation Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.
Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace's son, Xavier, takes a photo during her opening remarks at the Kauffman Foundation Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.
Community members gather in the Kauffman Foundation courtyard during Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace's remarks at the Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.
Community members gather in the Kauffman Foundation courtyard during Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace's remarks at the Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.
Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace shows off her custom shoes from OnePair KC at the Kauffman Foundation Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.
Community members listening to Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace's remarks at the Kauffman Foundation Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.
Community members listening to Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace's remarks at the Kauffman Foundation Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.
Eric Wilkinson takes a selfie with an attendee at the Kauffman Foundation Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.
Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace greets community members at the end of the blue carpet at the Kauffman Foundation's Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.
Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace with her son, Xavier.
A band plays in the courtyard during the Kauffman Foundation Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.
Kauffman Foundation Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.
Community members pose with Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace at the Kauffman Foundation Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.
Wanda Bentrop, Trese Booze, and Miles Sandler.
Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace at the Kauffman Foundation Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.
Kauffman Scholars legacy wall inside the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center.
Kauffman Foundation Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.
The Ewing Marion Kauffman legacy wall, "Be Uncommon", at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center.
Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace stands next to a photo of Ewing Marion Kauffman.
Kauffman Foundation associates take a selfie at the Kauffman Foundation Open House event Sept. 28, 2023.

“It’s time to be ‘Kauffman on the Move’ and engage, learn, evolve,” Dr. Burns-Wallace said. “We have to learn how to show up in partnership. We have to engage in the way that we do our work. And we have to continue to evolve the impact that is necessary to help be part of the solution.”

She was clear: “First and foremost, we are committed to Kansas City.”

Education and entrepreneurship will always sit at the cornerstone, she continued, because that was Mr. Kauffman’s intent. “That was his journey and that was his mission, and our job is to deliver that,” she said. “But in this moment, we have an opportunity to ensure that we are doing that in the way that reflects the needs of the community today.”

“Mr. Kauffman does not expect us to do it the way he did it when he was at the helm,” Dr. Burns-Wallace said. “He wants us to evolve. He tells us in his words, over and over and over again, that we must match on the needs for the communities that we serve. And we have the ability to stand in the gaps and do the work differently; do the work, more importantly, in partnership.”

WATCH: “Rolling out the blue carpet” | 2:09

To stay connected with us as we step into the next chapter of the Foundation’s legacy, please subscribe to the Currents newsletter. Follow us on social media – LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, and YouTube. And please know that our Conference Center, located adjacent to the Foundation, is a free convening site for qualified organizations with the goal of facilitating innovation, dialogue, and connection.

The Kauffman Foundation Conference Center offers:

Kauffman Foundation Conference Center flyer
Download the flyer [PDF] >
  • Seating for up to 234 in the Town Square room
  • Nine additional rooms with capacities from 10 to 80 people
  • Event planning assistance
  • Audio/visual technology
  • Six days a week operation
  • Exclusive on-site catering (fees apply)
  • Free parking
  • Nearby walking spaces in the Legacy Park, Discovery Center, and Kauffman Memorial Garden

Learn more about the Conference Center >

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