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.
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JOIN US
Interested in becoming a member?
Click here to register
Membership dues are annual
Cost $30
*Undergraduate students in cultural groups like Black Student Union cost $10
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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 committee. Members can also choose to engage through programming opportunities that fit their schedule, personal and professional goals.
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Executive Leadership Squad
Alexandria Ware, Candace Malone, Tasha Hayes, Brad Richards, Jazmine Rogers, Danielle Johnson
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Oversees and guides Urban Professionals mission and vision. This squad serves as the top of the reporting structure for all squads.
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Leadership Squad
Alexandria Ware, Tasha Hayes, Candace Malone, Brad Richards, Jazmine Rogers, Ti’Juana Hardwell, Paris Cunningham, Corinthian Kelly, Malcolm Carter, Rosesusie Amad, Lindsi Hoy, Greg VanDyke, Catherine Seals, Kristen Stinnett, Ayana Allen, and Danielle Johnson
ICT UP Community Advisors
Robert Moody, Amy Williams, Ricki Ellison, Marquetta Atkins, Brandon Johnson, Joseph Shepard
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Development Squad
The Develop Squad creates unique professional and personal development opportunities for ICT UP members, including the planning and execution of two of ICT UP’s recurring signature professional development programs, The Fast Track and Dreamchasers Gala.
The Fast Track Committee
Chairs Ayana Allen, Rosesusie Amad & Lindsi Hoy
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"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.
Young Professional Connection Committee
Chairs Alexandria Ware, Candace Malone & Danielle Johnson
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Serve as a connection to the various young professional groups in the city of Wichita and support. YP Connection provides opportunities for us to connect and support our other young professionals organization.
Dreamchasers Committee
Chairs Tasha Hayes,Rosesusie Amad & Lindsi Hoy
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Wichita Urban Professionals’ premier awards gala.
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Connect and Impact Squad
The Connect and Impact Squad is responsible for connecting ICT members with community leaders and organizations, as well as other young professionals. Connect and Impact Squad facilitates opportunities for young professionals to effect change in Wichita.
Mentoring & Community Outreach Committee
Chair Catherine Seals
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Signs up new members, maintains member information and creates mentorship opportunities for members.
Networking Committee
Chairs Corinthian Kelly, Malcolm Carter, Brad Richards, Greg VanDyke, and Aubany Russell
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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. Provides opportunities to connect Black professionals and college students in a vibrant community of growth and opportunity.
Marketing & Communications Committee
Chair Ti’Juana Hardwell, Paris Cunningham, & Candace Malone
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Provides opportunities for ICT UP members to connect to other organizations through quarterly newsletter, social media, relationship building, and keeping ICT UP history.
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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).
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