RESOLUTION NO. 230323

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Sponsor:  Councilmember Heather Hall

RESOLUTION - Recognizing and honoring Deborah Wiebrecht for the hard work and dedication she has put in towards achieving inclusivity in our community. 

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WHEREAS, as a young adult, Deborah received her education from the University of Wisconsin where she studied Broadcasting and Journalism. She earned her way through college as Miss Wisconsin, earning the Miss Congeniality title for the Miss America competition. She has always had a soft spot in her heart for underrepresented; and

WHEREAS, after college, Deb started a career in media sales and as an on-air television spokesperson for a weekly show. Following that, she began her work in the non-profit world working with YMCA of Greater Kansas City. This exposed her to a variety of networks and partnerships all around Kansas City; and

WHEREAS, Deb became the Chief Inclusion Officer of VarietyKC over ten years ago.  Since beginning her work with VarietyKC she has led the organization as its only full time employee for over a decade; and

WHEREAS, throughout her years working for Variety KC, she has been able to increase its fundraising ten-fold. She enjoys using fundraising dollars to be as fruitful as possible. Under her guidance, VarietyKC has been able to have the lowest administrative non-profit costs in KC. During her numerous years working with Variety, Deb noticed it wasn’t just equipment barriers, but also a lack of truly inclusive opportunities; and

WHEREAS, after seeing the lacking inclusive opportunities, she helped to create the #KCInclusionRevolution. This initiative strived to make Kansas City the most inclusive city in the world. They have accomplished this mission by passing local laws and ordinances, making inclusive “firsts” in construction, mandating universal changing stations, offering sensory kits to sporting and other popular complexes, creating the first inclusive playground at the new KCI airport and much more; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the Mayor and Council hereby recognize and honor Deborah Wiebrecht for the hard work and dedication she has put in towards achieving inclusivity in our community; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented to Deborah Wiebrecht with the Mayor and Council encouraging all citizens of Kansas City to participate in  National Disability Employment Awareness Month and to spread inclusivity throughout Kansas City. 

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