Ken Bacchus
Ken has been active in urban planning, housing, community economic development and youth development for more than 40 years. He is currently serving as vice president of Birwood Services Group. Ken has a diverse career background, including managing a home building business, planning and marketing analysis firm, serving as an executive with a community development organization, and as chief operations officer for a local K-12 charter school. He also has served two terms as an at-large member of the KCMO City Council (1991-1999). Ken is a Student Affairs Honor Award recipient from the UMKC Bloch School of Management and has received the “Silver Beaver” Award from the Boy Scouts and the “Gold Pin” Award from the Girl Scouts. He is a lifetime member of the NAACP, and his wide range of community service includes the UMKC Chancellor’s African American Leaders Council, the KC Friends of Alvin Ailey, Freedom Inc., Catholic Charities of Kansas City, and Community Builders of Kansas City. He and his wife Diane are the parents of two and grandparents of four.
“My parents instilled in my siblings and me the motto ‘To whom much is given, much is required.’ With true grit and determination, I received a good education through graduate school. Most importantly, that education has continued through people, cultures, and communities I have been involved with over the years. My contributions to many organizations have focused on youth, the arts, community economic development. It continues to be an honor for me being active in those activities that result in the uplifting the people served.”
