Throughout the month of February, Sporting Kansas City amplified black voices throughout the club and in the community. Starting with goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh, SportingKC.com posted a transcribed interview about what Black History Month means to him and how we can do more in the community. That was followed up with similar transcribed interviews of Sporting KC Academy coach Rumba Munthali, and Children’s Mercy Park’s in-stadium host Hartzell Gray.
Read: Kendall McIntosh
Read: Rumba Munthali
Read: Hartzell Gray
All of this culminated in a panel for Sporting KC’s full-time associates last Friday, Feb. 25, in which Hartzell moderated a conversation between SKC II assistant coach Ike Opara, Sporting KC Academy Head Coach Rumba Munthali and Sporting KC’s director of coaching for academy affiliates, Nathan Hunt.
The event was catered by Marvin Duncan, the owner of The Breakfast and Lunch Lovers restaurant in Raytown Missouri who spoke to the group to conclude the panel.
The panel began with the four participants sharing what Black History Month means to them and why it is a time to celebrate but also a time for people to ask themselves if they are doing enough. The panelists then shared their experiences as black men in their communities and discussed their shared experiences. They agreed that while they may have similar experiences, people need to realize that they are individuals and should respect and understand everybody's individuality more.
The four concluded the panel by asking for more sustained involvement in the community and a challenge for Sporting KC to continue to be a place of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Then Duncan took the stage and talked about his story as an owner of a restaurant. He dove into the entrepreneurial spirit and the idea of finding what you love and making that your life's passion. His story is one of hard work, perseverance and an attitude of positivity. Duncan concluded the morning by letting everybody know that he “makes the best pecan pie this side of the Mississippi.”
Fans can put that claim to the test by visiting the restaurant at 6214 Raytown Trafficway, Raytown, MO 64133, or liking them on Facebook.
