Making an impact: Kansas City elects first 2 Latinos to city council in 30 years

For the first time in 30 years, the Kansas City Council includes Latino representation.

But despite the importance of that minority representation, the two new council members bringing that diversity to the council say what’s most important is what they do next, and how they use their experiences as Latinos living in Kansas City to help lead the city.

Johnathan Duncan, newly elected councilman for the sixth district, said that it is incumbent on the council members to be there for the community and co-govern.

KC native, and elected councilman for the fourth district, Crispin Rea said that having lived experience as a minority is vital to preparing for the new role.

While their approaches may differ, both Rea and Duncan share a hope to build a better and safer city by working in communities to push for that change.

‘I work hard to remind myself of where I came from’

Rea said growing up in a low-income neighborhood on the East Side in Kansas City, he saw that his neighborhood was not invested in, and there were high rates of crime and gang activity.

He said he was influenced by his mother’s work in the community at the Local Investment Commission, which inspired him to go into public service as a career to further support his community .

Those first-hand experiences of growing up in an under-resourced neighborhood in Kansas City, and professionally working in the community provided him with valuable perspective.

“I feel like my connections to the community will allow me to meet folks where they are and bring some credibility to the city government for those who haven’t always been represented in city hall,” Rea said.

Duncan, similar to Rea, shared the importance of being involved in the community.

Duncan added how vital he believes it is to work on co-governance with local residents.

Duncan details in a position statement linked to his website more information about both his identity and background of growing up as a Black, Mexican-American, white man and working to accept all those identities. He said his vision for Kansas City is grounded in his lived identity.

Having representatives of color in positions is no longer enough, community members want to know their issues are being addressed, he said.

“It’s important that we show up for those communities – representation is not liberation,” Duncan said.

A connection to the community

Building close relationships in their communities is a high priority for both Rea and Duncan, who have both spent their professional careers and campaigns doing so in various community organizations.

Before running for city council, Rea previously worked for Mattie Rhodes, a nonprofit based in Kansas City whose goal is to help build a stronger city by helping the most vulnerable through different community strategies, according to their website.

Rea sat on their board of directors as a volunteer. His job was to engage the community to provide input to police, and help families find resources to help with a variety of issues.

John Fierro, president and CEO of Mattie Rhodes, said Rea helped establish the Latino Advocacy Task Force during his time with Mattie Rhodes in response to the increased number of homicides involving Hispanic teenagers, a role which he feels helped prepare Rea to serve on the city council.

“He has demonstrated throughout his professional career that he is a leader of all people. He is very proud of his Hispanic heritage, but he is about making a difference for all individuals, and all communities,” Fierro said.

The Sunrise movement KC chapter, a national nonprofit working to make climate issues a priority, endorsed Duncan during hiscampaign.

Laela Zaidi, volunteer leader who did election work for Duncan’s campaign, said the local movement wants a green new deal for the city, and for the city to invest in Black, Latino, working-class communities and places that have been historically left behind in policy making.

For her it’s important to have people in office who share a similar story or have comparable struggles, because it affects their worldview and values.

“For me this representation needs to be more than just somebody who looks like me but knows how to plan and make decisions because there’s a lot of power,” Zaidi said.

She believes Duncan is someone who has always put the community first and listens, Zaid said, noting that when she worked with him she felt taken care of, and that for her that was a reflection of his story.

‘It provides our young people with hope’

Being a voice for underrepresented communities is a priority both elected officials share, but it is not the only one.

Working to set a good example, particularly with youth, is also a vital part of their public identities.

Rea said education and a connection with the youth is an important piece of his journey to the city council.

During his time with Mattie Rhodes, he also served as Vice President for the Kansas City Public School Board, working with Hispanic students from Northeast High School.

“I’ve spent most of my career being the only Mexican-American in those professional spaces, so I know how important it is while in that position to set a good example for those who are looking up to you,” Rea said.

Edgar Palacios with the Latinx Education Collaborative, an organization focused on building the Latino community around issues of education, also shared this was an exciting time for the Latino community in Kansas City.

Palacios said Rea is incredibly reflective and a representative of the community. He’s somebody who has been very present and proximate to issues in the city.

He is excited that Rea cares and knows about the school system.

“He understands ... the politics and policies so it’s great now to have someone in city council who has an understanding of both the education system and the heart of our community,” Palacios said.

There’s impact in listening to the youth, Duncan said as he shared his experience working with the younger generation.

“I think that by organizing and collaborating with youth organizations like Sunrise, and Vote16 and listening to their concerns, involving them, even if they can’t vote – they are still able to feel as though they are part of this government.” Duncan said.

Leaving an impact

Both council members and their supporters believe their election will have a broader impact than on just the Kansas City metro.

Chief Program Officer Erica Andrade with El Centro was thrilled to see Rea win his election. Although her non-profit covers Wyandotte County, she believes there is still an impact that will be made there too.

Andrade said she hopes the, “election into the city council, breaking a 30 gap in representation, will inspire others to become more civically engaged. It proves there is power in who you vote for and I also hope it inspires other Latinos to run for elected positions.”

Another similarity both councilmen shared is their hopes after their time working for the city.

Rea said in his time with the council he hopes to restore some of the hope and trust that’s been lost in the public perception of government.

“I would like to look back on my time on the council and see measurable results in reducing homicides or violent crimes and making Kansas City neighborhoods safer — as someone that was ethical and acted with integrity, who not only set an example for the Hispanic community but the entire city,” Rea said.

On the same note, Duncan shared his goal of assuring the poor and working class are seen and heard in their government.

“Winning was a goal of this campaign, but it was never the primary goal,” said Duncan.

“The long term goal of this campaign is to engage and organize the working class in my district, as part of a much broader movement to build power among the poor and working class.”