GO TOPEKA ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF 2023 EQUITY & OPPORTUNITY BUSINESS PITCH COMPETITION

Topeka, KS — The Greater Topeka Partnership and GO Topeka are excited to announce four winners were selected from participants of the 2023 Equity and Opportunity Pitch Competition held Thursday evening in downtown Topeka. The pitch contest offered a chance for aspiring entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups to present their innovative ideas to some of the area’s business decision makers, competing for a portion of the $38,000 prize pool.   Eleven entrepreneurs and new business owners participated in Thursday’s pitch contest. Taking home first place was Chef Lamona Scroggins, who pitched her frozen gumbo product that will soon be offered in local grocery stores. Chef Lamona is well known for her… Read More

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Fusion Network

GREATER TOPEKA PARTNERSHIP OFFICE OF EQUITY & OPPORTUNITY LAUNCHES NEW ‘FUSION NETWORK’ SERIES TO DIVERSIFY COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING AND NETWORKING   Topeka, KS — The Greater Topeka Partnership’s office of equity and opportunity is excited to announce the launch this week of a new programming series designed to highlight and grow the diversity of experiences in our area’s business community. Dubbed “The Fusion Network,” this new series will feature themed networking events that honor the success, contributions and innovations of diverse local businesses and business owners. The Fusion Network will also grow to include training sessions, pitch competitions, and other offerings that create opportunities to build equity in business.   The… Read More

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Topeka Flag License Plate

Topeka, KS — The Greater Topeka Partnership and Forge Young Talent are excited to announce the next steps in their collaborative effort to offer Topeka-area residents a new opportunity to showcase their community pride. Starting in 2024, specially designed Topeka flag license plates approved by the State of Kansas will be available for purchase when people renew their vehicle registrations, allowing those with Topeka ties to display their capital city pride wherever they drive. Area residents eager to secure their Topeka flag license plates can take the first step by expressing their interest via an online form available at TopekaFlagPlate.com. At least 250 signatures will need to be collected in… Read More

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Becoming Athena Leadership Program celebrates first graduates

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – A new group of women leaders are ready to make their impact on the Topeka community. The Greater Topeka Partnership’s Athena program celebrated its first 16 graduates Tuesday night. The Athena program started this past year with the goal of empowering women to find places in the community they can share their voice and perspective. “This is life-changing,” Linessa Frazier, an Athena graduate, said. “It really helps to afford you the opportunity not only to meet amazing women that are within the community, but it also allows you to foster amazing leadership skills, things you can take out and use immediately.” You can find more information… Read More

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GREATER TOPEKA PARTNERSHIP BECOMES MEMBER OF THE U.S. HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, STRENGTHENING COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH

 The Greater Topeka Partnership (GTP/The Partnership) is proud to announce its membership in the esteemed United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), becoming the first non-Hispanic chamber in the Midwest to apply for USHCC membership. This new partnership solidifies the GTP’s commitment to promoting diversity, fostering inclusive economic growth, and supporting Hispanic-owned businesses in the region.   The USHCC is the largest Hispanic business organization in the United States, representing more than 5 million Hispanic-owned businesses nationwide. Its partnership with USHCC will provide the Greater Topeka Partnership with valuable resources, networking opportunities, and access to a broader network of business leaders and insights, ultimately bolstering GTP efforts to advance local and regional… Read More

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Glenda Washington, Chief Equity and Opportunity Officer for GTP recognized with International Award

The Partnership is proud to announce that Glenda Washington, Chief Equity and Opportunity Officer for the Greater Topeka Partnership, was recognized by iChange Nations™ with the iCHANGE NATIONS™ GLOBAL LIFE OF IMPACT AWARD. Previous award winners include His Majesty King Oyo Nyimba, Toro Kingdom in Uganda, Dr. Ben Shelly former President of the Navajo Nation, and Wolde Giorgis former President of Ethiopia, among others.

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Leadership Greater Topeka Announces 2023 Class

Founded in 1984, Leadership Greater Topeka, a Greater Topeka Partnership program, identifies aspiring and established leadership from the community to participate in an annual leadership training course. Class members attend a retreat and eight day-long sessions that begin in January and continue through May. During these classes they will learn about challenges facing Topeka and Shawnee County and how they can work to influence important community issues. The class of 2023 was selected from over 160 nominations and are: Craig Barnes                         Division Manager                                           Shawnee County Health Department Jacqueline Belden               Program… Read More

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EnvistaCares Challenge Highlights Kansas Book Festival

Envista Credit Union is pleased to announce that it will highlight Kansas Book Festival through the EnvistaCares Challenge during the month of September. The EnvistaCares Challenge includes a challenge grant, media and marketing package, and an organizational storytelling video. Through the challenge grant, Envista will match every dollar given to Kansas Book Festival during the month of September up to $2,500. Giving can be done online at www.envistacares.com. The media package provided to Kansas Book Festival by Envista is valued at more than $12,000 and includes a month of promotion through billboards, emails, social media and radio. Finally, Envista supports the production of a video for Kansas Book Festival to… Read More

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Nightmare on the Boulevard – Topeka’s Largest Indoor Haunted House is back

Nightmare on the Boulevard – Topeka’s Largest Indoor Haunted House is back TOPEKA, Kansas (August 24, 2022) – The Stormont Vail Events Center and Jinxed Productions announce Nightmare on the Boulevard, presented by Spirit Halloween. After 2021’s Haunted House success in the backstage tunnels of Landon Arena, it was decided to introduce a much larger and expanded Haunted House experience inside Exhibition Hall for 2022. The theme for this year’s haunt is Carnival of Souls.    Venture into the Carnival of Souls at the Stormont Vail Events Center. Topeka’s largest indoor haunted house will transport you into an abandoned carnival where the deranged Dr. Jacobson has filled his park with… Read More

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Glenda Washington elected to board of directors for Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Foundation

Alexandria, VA August 17, 2022— Glenda Washington, Chief Equity and Opportunity Officer for the Greater Topeka Partnership, has been elected to serve on the board of directors for the ACCE Foundation, a 501(c)3 that supports the work of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. ACCE’s Foundation was established to fund programming, peer-to-peer learning, and leadership development for chamber professionals seeking to create positive change by addressing the issues that challenge the long-term economic health and quality of life in our country’s cities and towns.   Directors bring their knowledge and expertise to help the ACCE Foundation understand industry trends and the needs of members working in the priority areas… Read More

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