• Summer Series: Investing in Emerging Talent
• Welcome Ella & Claire
• News You Can Use
• Cool Events 
• Opportunities Await 

We’re excited to welcome Claire Bauer and Ella Childress to the Mazur & Co. team! Claire and Ella joined Jolie Merriweather as Strategic Consulting interns late last month. The three will contribute to projects across our organization while building real-world experience in strategic communications, operational excellence, and public affairs.

Claire Bauer is a junior studying strategic communications at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. Ella Childress is a senior at William Jewell College, majoring in digital media communications with an emphasis in web design.

Learn more about Claire.
Learn more about Ella.

Arts, Entertainment, & Culture

• Kansas City Cuts Ribbon on 18th Street Pedestrian Mall in Historic Jazz District
• A Chicago Celebration at Tony Awards 2026: Watch the Performance Here, Including Pink’s ‘All That Jazz’

Tech & Science

• Crossroads Security Improvements Underway After Town Topic Safety Concerns

Agriculture, Environment, Energy, & Climate

• Missouri Botanical Garden President Lúcia Lohmann Receives Robert R. Hermann World Ecology Award

• New Exhibition at Missouri Botanical Garden’s Museum Explores Plants in Popular Literature
• This Dreamy Botanical Sanctuary In Missouri Looks Straight Out Of A Fairy Tale
• The Yield Lab Institute Launches Global Cattle Innovation Platform, Expanding Proven H.A.R.V.E.S.T. AgTech Model into Beef and Dairy 

Education, Workforce, & Economic Development

• More Than One Right Path: Career Planning for the Class of 2026
• Columbia Groups Promote Free Career Toolkit for New Graduates
• After Tornado, Hundreds of Students Dropped Off St. Louis School Rosters. A Nonprofit is Helping Track Down Where They Went
• Missouri Higher Education Prepares to be an AI-talent Pipeline

Entrepreneurship

• Private security Biz Booms as Vague Messaging Casts Doubt on World Cup Safety, Preparedness
• How IFF’s Lending to CDFIs Powers Midwest’s Small Business Growth
• Walk Along With KSHB 41 News in an Exclusive Look at New Crossroads Private Security

Health & Wellbeing

• Letter to the Editor — Elder Abuse Awareness Month
• How Decades-old Federal Help is Now Holding Back Rehabs in North City
• Love Columbia Opens Gigi’s Place, a New Transitional Housing Facility

Sports

• World Cup Bus Line to Bring International Fans and Opportunity to North KC Businesses
• Patrick Mahomes Enjoys Special Mother’s Day While Supporting Cause Close to Brittany Mahomes’ Heart

Leadership

• A Word From Greater MO’s President 
• IFF Strategic Plan Includes Lending $1B to Regional Nonprofits in Next Four Years
• IFF Commemorates 20 Years of Community Investment in St. Louis and Missouri

Potpourri

• Fraggle Rock Musical and Jim Henson Creature Shop Tours Bring Muppet Magic to NYC
• The First-Ever Dedicated Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood YouTube Channel Launches Globally
• A Rare Recording of Harpo Marx Speaking Publicly Was Mislabeled in an Archive for Decades. Now You Can Listen to the ‘Silent’ Comedian Yourself.

Now–7/11/26 — FIFA World Cup Fan Festival 2026™ (Kansas City, MO)

The free FIFA Fan Festival™ at the National WWI Museum and Memorial brings fans together for live FIFA World Cup 2026™ match broadcasts, concerts, global food and drinks, and community celebration in the heart of downtown Kansas City. The festival features major live performances from The Chainsmokers, Flo Rida, and All-American Rejects, plus activities and entertainment throughout the tournament. General admission is free but requires advance registration and a digital pass, with entry available on a first-come, first-served basis due to limited capacity. Learn more.

6/18/26 – Joyful Juneteenth: An Evening of Performances (St. Louis, MO)

Celebrate Juneteenth on the Edward and Imo Family Plaza with an evening of performances highlighting the beauty of Black American culture, hosted by DJ Quinn of 96.3 R&B. Enjoy spoken-word performances by Tracy “T-Spirit” Stanton; the award-winning, soul-stirring Shalom Church (City of Peace) Mass Choir led by Dello Thedford; and an exciting step performance by Gentleman of Vision. Learn More. 

6/20/26 – Capital Pride Parade (Washington, DC) 

The iconic Capital Pride Parade is emblematic of the historic Pride movement. This beloved tradition honors our history and acknowledges the evolution of the LGBTQ+ neighborhoods in Washington, DC, while respecting the origins and importance of taking to the streets for equality. Learn More.

7/11/26 — Annual Green Living Festival (St. Louis) 

The Missouri Botanical Garden’s annual Green Living Festival invites families, friends, and coworkers to learn practical ways to live more sustainably. Hosted by the Garden’s EarthWays Center, the event features hands-on activities and expert guidance on creating greener lifestyles, workplaces and communities while promoting a healthier environment. Learn More. 

7/15/26 — Introduction to Agilities™  Resources for Educators (Virtual) 

Looking for career-building resources for your K-12 classroom or youth organization? Join The DeBruce Foundation for free tools and lesson plans for your students. This virtual session is best suited for administrators, instructional coaches, counselors, classroom educators, and those leading after-school programming. Together, we can help young people build bright futures! Learn more. 

7/22/26 — The Greater Missouri Women of the Year Awards (Columbia, MO)

Join previous Women of the Year honorees as they bring together champions to support its robust, one-of-a-kind leadership development program – Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge. The Women of the Year luncheon will inspire attendees and organization leaders as they learn more about the honorees and their commitment to advancing opportunities for all women. Learn more.