our Founders

In 2012, a group of thirteen residents in the Historic Northeast-Midtown area gathered together, recognizing that while the area has a strong tradition of neighborhood groups, there was no one organization solely dedicated towards its betterment.

Without hiring an attorney, these fourteen residents—who went on to become our Founders—embarked on the process of forming a 501(c3) and recruiting a Board of Directors. The application was filed with the IRS in March 2012.

The organization our Founders created was known as the Historic Northeast-Midtown Association, Inc.—HNMA for short. The name was chosen to reflect the rich history of the northeast and east midtown areas of Wyandotte County that HNMA was formed to serve. HNMA also contracted with the Unified Government to become a Neighborhood Business & Revitalization Organization (NBR), a role we perform alongside seven other NBRs in Wyandotte County. HNMA also aimed to bolster the work already being done by neighborhood groups, including the Learn to Earn youth program, and efforts to improve parks and beautify the built environment.

HNMA launched with the recognition of a few basic ideas:

• That neighborhoods are the bedrock of societal success.

• That economic development and community development must include human capacity building.

• That "Living Life at its Best" entails job readiness, educational advancement, good parenting, good citizenship, and the right to aging-in-place.

• That no chain is stronger than its weakest link.

"It was a fun time. It was also a stressful time! For example, the name Historic Northeast Midtown Association—it took us a long time to decide that's the name we wanted. We would go around and use the acronym HNMA, and people would practice saying the name." -Mrs. Elnora Jefferson, President of Oak Grove Neighborhood Association

The founding of HNMA brought together some of the most extraordinary people in Northeast KCK. 

One such leader was Mr. Chester Owens of Struggler’s Hill/Roots Neighborhood Association, who is well-known in KCK for his extensive knowledge and his love for the northeast. Mr. Owens got his start as an insurance salesman, where he went door-to-door meeting community members. Over time, he built up a deep relationship with the northeast and its rich history, and for decades has lived a life of public service. 

Other pillars of the community threw their weight behind the new organization. Mrs. Dorothy McField of Parkwood Colony, Inc. created promotional materials to distribute throughout the northeast. Kevin Kenny, President of the Historic Westheight Neighborhood Association, and Donnie Thomas, President of Kensington Community Area Watch, worked to navigate the IRS process and establish HNMA’s status as a 501(c3) nonprofit. First District Commissioner Nathan Barnes and Fourth District Commissioner Tarence Maddox also lent their support to HNMA. The unanimous acceptance of HNMA as the 8th NBR would not have occurred were it not for their invaluable guidance and support. The Founders remain beholden to Barb Kill (Turner Community Connections) and Andrea Generaux (Livable Neighborhoods) for their tremendous guidance.

In 2012, the Founders began engaging in different activities as a group, including a tour of the Black history display at General Motors in February 2012 and a birthday breakfast for Commissioner Barnes. The Founders toured historic cemeteries, and learned about landmarks that have deteriorated or been destroyed. Even those Founders who were lifelong residents of HNMA’s service area grew their knowledge as part of these tours. Later that year, HNMA hosted an election forum at John F. Kennedy Recreation Center, moderated by Donnie Thomas. Candidates for Mayor, Sheriff, and Commissioner attended. The forum further established HNMA’s reputation in the area as an organization capable of getting things done.

In September 2013, HNMA hosted its first Annual Meeting. The meeting brought together community members, nonprofits, and the Unified Government, and was well-attended. The meeting also served the important role of demonstrating to all parties involved how serious HNMA was about creating change. 

Reflecting on her hopes for HNMA at the time, Mrs. Elnora Jefferson said:

"The other piece that we felt was important for the Northeast is this thing called ownership. And what do I mean by that? We clearly know, as we knew then, that when we say a particular neighborhood owns something, that's true and not true. The neighborhoods do not have autonomy in decision-making.

“I would like to think that [HNMA] will grow into an entity that is able to have a housing component, a legislative component—if someone wants to start a business, we say 'I don't want to take your idea; I don't want to do your thing; but I have an arsenal of resources. Will you allow me to help you?'"

Finally, we would like to recognize our Founders who have since passed away:

• Bob Anver

• Sherry Greene

• Kevin Kenny

• Beatrice L. Lee

• Geraldine Straighter

• Marilynn White

It is only through their hard work that HNMA (now called Groundwork NRG) exists today. In their memory, we continue to work towards the dream of northeast revitalization.

Listen to the video below to hear Mrs. Elnora Jefferson describe what northeast revitalization means to her:

More information about HNMA’s transition to Groundwork NRG is available on our website.