The Community Center has been great about getting the room open early. So plan on joining us on time and getting settled in for a great event. Refreshments will be served. A reminder that guests may attend once for free. Please check in with Betty when you arrive. We have a limited time with our first speaker so we will be starting promptly at 6pm. I can't wait to see everyone there!

First up is Dohn Farley and Steve Boukambou. They are HUD equal opportunity specialist. They will share a little about fair housing issues, and let us know what entity to contact if something comes up that will help us work through the situation before it becomes a problem. 

Here's what their presentation will cover:
     -Civil Rights Authorities
     -Covered Dwellings and Entities
     -Exempt Dwellings and Entities
     -Protected Classes and Prohibited Acts
     -Design & Construction Requirements
     -Familial Status Discrimination
     -Sex Discrimination
     -Disability Discrimination
     -Reasonable Accommodations & Modifications
     -Assistance Animals

Dohn Farley is an Equal Opportunity Specialist for HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO), and has served as a Civil Rights Investigator since 2008. He has served in the federal government since 1979. Prior to his work with HUD, Mr. Farley worked as an Equal Opportunity Specialist administering the Equal Employment Opportunity Program and investigating employment discrimination complaints for the local offices of the United States Marine Corps and the Department of Defense. He also served as a mediator for the Federal Executive Board of Greater Kansas City’s Shared Neutrals Program, helping to mediate discrimination complaints and other conflicts.

Steve Boukambou is an Equal Opportunity Specialist for HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO), and has served as a Civil Rights Investigator since 2022. Prior to his work with HUD, Mr. Boukambou worked as a Human Resources Specialist with the Department of Defense/Army National Guard. He has served in the U.S Army for years as a Supply Specialist

For the 2nd half of the meeting we'll hear from Justin Walker with CHES, credit and homeownership empowerment services. CHES, Inc. is a HUD Certified, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, housing counseling, financial empowerment organization, based on the belief that our clients’ needs are of the utmost importance. Our entire team is committed to meeting those needs. As a result, a high percentage of our business is from repeat customers and referrals. Our Homeownership Advisers have received NCHEC/NFMC Certification and worked extensively in helping shape policies and procedures that are an industry standard today.

His presentation will cover three main areas:
1) Credit restoration and financial literacy services
     -Difference between “repair” and “restoration”
     -Knowing your money personality and budgeting
     -Money Smart KC coalition
     -Web portal tools
2)Banking access initiative Bank On KC
     -Un- and underbanked overview
     -Local accounts
3)Homeownership prep and our participation in HUD’s “Let’s Make Home the Goal” program
     -Access to HUD certified housing counselors
     -Partnerships with FIs, brokers and agents
     -Pairing with down payment assistance programs

• Mr. Walker is a business development professional with over twenty years experience helping global corporations, nonprofits and start-ups grow. He has expertise in marketing products and services, managing P&L, improving governing board engagement and organizing events. In 2021 he was hired by CHES, Inc. to build upon the organization’s credit and housing initiatives including managing the Bank On KC initiative. Prior to joining CHES, he spent 10 years with another nonprofit spearheading a comprehensive growth campaign. As a technical project manager for a Fortune 500 company, he led an effort that expanded a web services product to seven countries. A nationally recognized speaker and author, Mr. Walker remains engaged in our nation’s political landscape and legislative affairs. His political portfolio includes working for elected officials on both state and federal levels, campaign advance logistics, board member service for national organizations, and grassroots advocacy. Mr. Walker holds an MBA from Regis University and resides in the Kansas City area with his wife and daughter.

For those of you who can't make it we will do our best to put together a good recording that you can get on the website later in the week. I will say that being in person is the best way to get this information. I encourage everyone to make an effort to attend. The only way we get better is to educate ourselves and network with other like minded people. See you all there!!!