The Builders' Talk town hall series continues with an all-star panel of experts discussing the community and economic development of Kansas City's 18th and Vine district. From its rich history to the development potential, this corridor offers plenty of opportunity for the construction industry to help build the future of Kansas City while honoring the past. Have a question for our panel? Submit it here.

Meet the panelists:

Quinton Lucas, Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri | Quinton Lucas, “Mayor Q,” was sworn in as the 55th mayor of Kansas City on August 1, 2019. As mayor, Quinton has prioritized making Kansas City’s neighborhoods safer, creating more accessible and affordable housing and public transportation, fostering a healthier community and improving basic services. Quinton created and chairs the City’s Special Committee on Housing Policy. Born and raised in Kansas City, Quinton has spent most of his life in the city’s urban core. As a child, he moved often and experienced homelessness, sometimes staying with family or friends, or residing in a motel. Despite these challenges, Quinton remained focused on his schoolwork, earning academic scholarships to high school, college and Cornell Law School before returning home to Kansas City. Since 2012, Quinton has been a member of the University of Kansas Law School faculty, where he served as one of the youngest tenure-track law professors in the country. He is active in the Kansas City community and volunteers extensively in area schools and organizations, including providing mentorship in local prisons. Mayor Quinton Lucas lives in the Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District, which he previously represented on the City Council.

LaTasha McCall, Owner, LM2 Construction & Consulting, LLC | LaTasha McCall is the president and founder of LM2 Construction & Consulting, LLC, a 100% minority women-owned construction and consulting company in Kansas City, Missouri. Born and raised in Kansas City, LaTasha has witnessed firsthand the growth of the city into a premier metropolitan area that promotes family values. This deep-rooted tie has allowed her to become one of the most respected and recognized names in construction. Before founding LM2, LaTasha worked for several construction companies in the Kansas City metropolitan area, where she gained experience in Project Management, Owner Representation and Business Development. She also served as a planning commissioner for the City of Blue Springs, Missouri (Mayoral Appointment) from 2012 to 2016. Through her commitment to excellence and dedication to professionalism, LaTasha strives to exceed industry standards by forming strong professional partnerships based on integrity, ingenuity and reliability—a commitment that makes up the backbone of LM2 Construction & Consulting, LLC. LaTasha received a BS in Business Administration from Drake University. She is a member of the National Association of Women in Construction.

Bob Kendrick, Negro League Baseball Museum (NLBM) President | Bob Kendrick was named President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) in March 2011. His appointment marked a celebrated return to the NLBM after a 13-month departure. Kendrick became the museum’s first Director of Marketing in 1998 and was named Vice President of Marketing in 2009 before accepting the post as Executive Director of the National Sports Center for the Disabled-Kansas City in 2010. Kendrick has been responsible for the creation of several signature museum educational programs and events including the Hall of Game which annually honors former Major League Baseball greats who played the game in the spirit and signature style of the Negro Leagues. And while he doesn’t fashion himself to be a historian, Kendrick has become one of the leading authorities on the topic of Negro Leagues Baseball history and its connection to issues relating to sports, race and diversity. In 2009, The Kansas City Globe named Kendrick to the paper’s list of “100 Most Influential African-Americans in Greater Kansas City.” In January 2014, Kendrick was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. A native of Crawfordville, Ga., Kendrick received a basketball scholarship to attend Park College (Parkville, Mo.) in 1980 and earned a B.A. degree in Communications Arts in 1985.

Moderated by:

Kiona Sinks, Founder, Elevate Consulting | Kiona is a community-minded connector with eight plus years of consistent volunteerism and community engagement. She is a community advocate, social and civic innovator, cause-driven equity leader, and immensley passionate about diversity and inclusion. During her undergraduate career, Kiona helped spearhead the founding of the inaugural African American Student Union (AASU) at Central Methodist University. The AASU’s mission is to promote positive images of African Americans and to stimulate the cultural, intellectual, and social growth of all CMU students, faculty, and staff. Kiona drew inspiration from this experience to ignite her passion for community advocacy.