“I am Kansas”

Combating Racism and Increasing Cultural Acceptance in Kansas

I Am Kansas Initiative Launched

WICHITA, Kan. – Sunflower Community Action (SCA) announced a new initiative to combat racism and increase cultural acceptance in Kansas to help citizens understand how immigrants positively contribute to our state.

“We want to create a state that cares more about how we can all move forward together, rather than who we can exclude,” said Sulma Arias, Executive Director of SCA.

The goal of the initiative is to increase appreciation for what immigrants bring to the Kansas economy and culture by putting forward a positive, welcoming environment. This campaign works to promote mutual respect and cooperation between foreign-born and U.S.-born Americans.

Immigrants, Latinos, and Asians account for growing shares of the economy and electorate in Kansas. Immigrants (the foreign-born) make up 6.5% of the state’s population, and nearly one-third of them are naturalized U.S. citizens who are eligible to vote.

This project has been developed in cooperation with other organizations, including the Opportunity Agenda, Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation, American Civil Liberties Union, among others. It will include educational materials for community presentations, billboards throughout state of Kansas and a website for the public to learn more about the impact immigrants have on Kansas.