Ajia Morris
Co-Founder | CEO
Architect of Urban Economies
Throughout my career, I have empowered historically excluded populations. As an attorney, I served in several roles, including as legal counsel for small businesses at various stages of growth. As a non-profit executive, I led organizations responsible for developing the workforce (Executive Director, Dress For Success- Northwest Arkansas). I was directly responsible for creating programming to better prepare marginalized populations throughout the greater Kansas City metropolitan area to earn a livable wage (VP Mission Advancement, Goodwill Industries of Western MO and Eastern KS).
My work inspired me to run for and win the election to the Kansas City Public Schools Board of Directors (2016-2019), where I served on the Governance Committee and focused on legislative advocacy. In April 2020, Mayor Quinton Lucas appointed me to the Health Commission for the City of Kansas City, where I serve as Education Committee Co-Chair. In April 2021, Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. appointed me to the Children's Services Fund (CSF) for Jackson County, Missouri. In less than a year, CSF has provided $35 million in financial support for its mission of promoting kids' mental health and social-emotional well-being.
As Co-Founder and CEO of values-driven enterprises, I have combined the skills I developed in each of my prior positions to redirect wealth back into my community. As a leader, each decision I make has multiple positive impacts on the neighborhoods my teams and I serve.
I am many things, but most importantly, a wife, mother of four, business owner, and resident of the urban core. I look forward to leveraging resources to positively impact as many vulnerable groups as possible.
