Wichita Urban Professionals (ICT-UP) is dedicated to empowering the young, diverse and talented.
The organization involves members
ages 18-45 in engaging and relevant personal development opportunities, which include professional development trainings and dynamic social networking events.
OUR MISSION
Developing a rising network of Black leaders to improve the urban community of Wichita.
JOIN US
Interested in becoming a member?
Click here to register
Membership dues are annual
Cost $30
*Black Student Union Paid Members $10
Payments can be made via CashApp: $ictup2
Please contact if you need an invoice.
Our Organization
ICT-UP is structured in a way where membership can choose how involved they would like to be. Members can help with program/event planning by joining a squad. Members can also choose to engage through programming opportunities that fit their schedule, personal and professional goals. There are five standing squads.
Leadership Squad
Danielle Johnson, Ti’Juana Hardwell, Paris Cunningham, Brandon Johnson, Justin Enlow, Robert Moody, Alexandria Ware, Corinthian Kelly, Omarian Brantley
Oversees and guides Urban Professionals mission and vision. This squad serves as the top of the reporting structure for all squads. The leadership squad is made up of squad chairs, the founder, and overall squad leader. (Leadership Squad is by appointment only).
The Fast Track Squad
Squad Danielle Johnson, Ti'Juana Hardwell, Alexandria Ware, Corinthian Kelly, Amy Williams, Ricki Ellison
ICT UP is excited to launch "The Fast Track," a Black professional leadership program. The 4-part course is designed to empower our city's young, diverse and talented--equipping them with the tools needed to achieve both their career and personal goals. Programming will be guided by some of Wichita's most prominent professionals in various industries.
Networking Squad
Chairs Paris Cunningham & Brandon Johnson
Creates and executes dynamic social networking opportunities for Black professionals to engage and build relationships throughout the community. These events provide a wide range of opportunities from exclusive event spaces and programs to existing co-sponsored programs.
Community Outreach/Membership Squad
Chairs Alexandria Ware & Justin Enlow
Signs up new members and maintains member information. Provides opportunities for ICTUP members to connect to other organizations through volunteering, tabling and relationship building.
College Engagement Squad
Chairs Corinthian Kelly & Omarian Brantley
Serve as a connection to the various universities in the city of Wichita and support. CES provides programs focused on college students, mentor matching/shadowing, and professional development. Additional CES provides college students the opportunity to be a part of a professional organization.
ICT-UP meeting time!
Photo credit: Wichita Business Journal
ICT-UP meeting time!
Photo credit: The Wichita Business Journal and ICT-UP archival photos
ICT-UP HISTORY
A core group of millennials came together, under the leadership of Jonathan Long, in 2013 and spent one year strategizing and structuring a course of action to help Wichita better attract, retain and develop its minority professional population.
In 2014, Urban Professionals, launched. With partnerships between ICT-UP and the Kansas Leadership Center firmly in place, Wichita Urban Professionals set out to be the go-to network for the city's young, diverse and talented.
Since then, the organization has grown its network and reach to more than 200 and launched a publication that generated reads by more than 1,000 per issue. In 2016, the organization began taking steps to be a stand-alone entity. That same year, the organization won the Wichita Business Journal's Leaders in Diversity Award.
Today ICT-UP is led by a squad of leaders continuing to advance the mission! ICT-UP is a program that falls under Community Operations Recovery Empowerment (CORE).