ABOUT AMERICAN PUBLIC SQUARE AT JEWELL
American Public Square at Jewell is a community organization working to improve the tone and quality of public discourse so that communities can find actionable common ground for today’s most challenging and polarizing issues.
Through its programming, APS offers fact-based insights and exposure to diverse and divergent perspectives - key steps toward mutual respect, compromise, and resolution.
APS accomplishes this by:
- Convening groups and creating space for civil, fact-based dialogue.
- Educating about the importance of working together this way and how to do it well.
- Engaging a diverse audience to ensure that multiple perspectives are explored and considered.
Those who participate play an integral role in reconnecting American communities and creating a stronger nation equipped to deal with the social, economic and political issues of our time.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ambassador Allan Katz - Board Chair
Irv Belzer, Senior Counsel at Bryan Cave (Ret.) - Board Secretary
Bill Kort, Investment Advisor (Ret.) - Board Treasurer
Maggie Collins – Principal - Howe Street Group
Rebecca Coulson, Program Officer - Hall Family Foundation
Mary Jorgenson, Community Volunteer
Ward Katz, Real Estate Advisor
McClain Bryant Macklin, Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives - Health Forward Foundation
Colleen Nelson, Executive Editor - The Sacramento Bee and Regional Editor - California at McClatchy
Greg Orman, Businessman, Entrepreneur, U.S. Political Reformer
Ann Regnier, Community Volunteer
Paul Russell, Founder – ej4.com
Joni Wickham, Co-founder - Wickham James Strategies
Bill Pratt, Attorney - Kirkland & Ellis, LLP (Ret.)
Rodney Smith, Vice President for Access and Engagement - William Jewell College
Shaun Stallworth, Attorney - Holman Schiavone, LLC
Tom McDonnell, Executive, DST Systems (Ret.)
Sue Nerman, Kansas City Art Institute
American Public Square at Jewell was pleased to welcome two new Board Members in 2023: Maggie Collins, principal - The Howe Street Group, and Dr. Rodney Smith, vice president for access and engagement - William Jewell College.
"Given my entire career has been connected to public service in some capacity, I understand how important civil discourse is. American Public Square is truly committed to creating an environment that embraces differing opinions, and providing opportunities to explore those differences in thoughtful, respectful ways. I am honored to serve on the Board of an organization that seeks non-like minded individuals to further its mission."
- Maggie Collins
Photo: New APS Board Member, Maggie Collins, facilitates a conversation with Indiana Governor, Eric Holcomb at a Fall Cocktails & Politics event.
October 2023 | The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library
“It is often said that we should, as a community, come together to discuss our collective challenges, including our political predilections. American Public Square gives us this very opportunity. APS provides a platform for us to engage in dialogue that could lead to political harmony. I have joined American Public Square’s Board of Directors as a way to help stimulate public discourse, expecting that it kindles public peace.”
- Dr. Rodney Smith
Photo: New APS Board Member, Dr. Rodney Smith (right), hosts a Cocktails & Politics Conversation with Phil Allen, Jr., author of "The Prophetic Lens: The Camera and Black Moral Agency from MLK to Darnella Frazier.
February 2023 | 2000 Vine
THE KANSAS CITY MEDIA COLLECTIVE
Made possible with support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the Kansas City Media Collective works to better meet community information needs by maximizing resources through new lines of communication, content sharing and collaborative reporting.
Since 2022, American Public Square has been a participant in the collective, working to extend the thoughtful work of local journalists to the community through programming and digital channels.
American Public Square
STAFF
Allan Katz, Founder, Chairman and CEO
Claire Bishop, Executive Director and COO
Alana Muller, Community Director
Tricia Maxfield, Civics Education Program Manager
Cindy Johnston, Community Engagement Lead
Robin Smith, Marketing and Communications
College Interns:
Jamie Schenck
Ian Wooldridge
Alexander Walls (not pictured)
Special
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Ryan Bruce , Photographer
Ryan has served as the event photographer at all APS 2023 programs; the majority of the images in this report are credited to him. The APS team is so grateful for his partnership.
Logan Tritt and Sergei Shapoval, Videographers
Logan and Sergei play an instrumental role at APS, providing their video production and livestream expertise to all APS programs and brand promotional efforts. Their partnership is invaluable.
