Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was more than just a civil rights leader; he was a man of unwavering courage who continuously inspired individuals even after his death. In a nation that still struggles with injustice and unequal opportunities, the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. remain a beacon of hope for many, including Great Jobs KC’s CEO, Earl Martin Phalen. The inspiring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has stuck onto Earl Martin Phalen as Dr. King’s mission aligns with the impactful work Great Jobs KC does for the Kansas City community. By reflecting on his life, legacy, and dedication to bettering our nation, we can gain valuable insight into how to grow to create a more just and livable society for all.
'I am. Somebody,’ Jesse Jackson [Civil Rights Activist] told protestors. ‘I am. God's child. I may not have a job, but I am somebody.'
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. dreamed of a world of love, equality, courage, and growth where people were judged based on the content of their character, not their physical identity or background. Dr. Martin Luther King’s Poor People Campaign discussed more than just fair wages and opportunities for Black individuals. This campaign also covered fair wages for women and other immigrant groups. It helped Americans move from poverty and unemployment to jobs that gave them dignity and the ability to care for themselves and their families. Nearly 57 years later, organizations like Great Jobs KC continue to assist the underserved so they can create a life with household-sustaining wages like the Poor People Campaign always dreamed of.
We come with an appeal to open the doors of America to the almost 50 million Americans who have not been given a fair share of America's wealth and opportunity, and we will stay until we get it.
From the beginning, Earl’s adoptive parents instilled a sense of personal pride and self-determination. His middle name, “Martin,” was a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, symbolizing his family’s commitment to justice and equality. This personal connection to Dr. King’s legacy has guided Earl’s life and mission to lead programs like Great Jobs KC, empowering others with access to education and career training. It is a constant reminder of his commitment to social justice and the dignity of meaningful work, inspiring his journey and the mission of our organization.
At the end of his life, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s Poor People’s Campaign was focused on economic opportunity. Great Jobs KC aligns with that vision by helping individuals move from poverty to prosperity.
At Great Jobs KC, we believe everyone should be able to create a better life for themselves no matter what. Martin Luther King dreamed of a time when our country could grow together, giving all communities the same opportunity and making our nation thrive. Great Jobs KC stands on this same principle. By providing education and training to Kansas Citians, we are working towards a world where every Kansas City community can thrive. Our program’s goal is to provide jobs that allow all our Scholars to have dignity in what they do and to have the ability to care for their families and loved ones. By embracing our mission at Great Jobs KC, we are a stronger city that creates a better sense of community, where we are all working together to break barriers for our fellow Kansas Citians.
Great Jobs KC is unwavering in its commitment to breaking barriers through education and pushing Kansas City to become stronger and more financially secure than ever before. As we move into the new year and celebrate the annual remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, we must continue to push his message to fight for equality through education. The staff at Great Jobs KC continues to uphold our mission and Dr. King’s words. We are determined to grow into the most prosperous city possible. This commitment reminds us that change is possible and a testament to our determination to impact the city we hold so close to our hearts.
To learn more about Earl and his connection to Dr. Martin Luther King, click this link: https://youtu.be/aWS9izwKrtg.
Great Jobs KC is a Kansas City-based nonprofit that provides access to college scholarships and tuition-free job training, along with job placement assistance for young people from low- and modest-income families in the metropolitan area, providing a pipeline of talent for a strong regional workforce. Please join us on our mission for economic independence for all. For more information, visit www.greatjobskc.org.
Great Jobs KC is proud to announce the 2026 awarding class of its flagship KC Scholars 11th-Grade Scholarship Program. In its 10th anniversary year, 778 high school juniors across the six-county Kansas City region have been selected to receive scholarships of up to $50,000 each, representing a staggering total community investment of $38.9 million.
Great Jobs KC Greater Kansas City Chamber award given for in-house efforts KANSAS CITY, MO.
The Kauffman Foundation’s generous grant helps Great Jobs KC get closer to its $100M goal, supporting 50,000 Kansas City residents with job training and education.
Stephanie Underwood serves as Chief Financial Officer at Great Jobs KC, where she leads the organization’s financial strategy in support of its mission to create economic mobility through education and workforce opportunities. With more than 17 years of experience in nonprofit finance, Stephanie brings deep expertise in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and compliance. She is passionate about using her career as a platform to serve and support mission-driven organizations, helping them maximize impact through strong financial stewardship.
Prior to joining Great Jobs KC, Stephanie served as Chief Financial Officer for Griffith Centers, a behavioral and mental health organization, where she oversaw financial operations for a multi-million-dollar organization spanning residential, educational, and community-based programs. She also spent nearly a decade as Vice President of Accounting Services at NFP Partners, providing CFO-level leadership to nonprofit organizations across the country, with a focus on strategic growth, audit readiness, and governance.
Outside of her professional role, Stephanie volunteers her time at her church and serves on the board of a local nonprofit. She is known for her collaborative leadership style and her commitment to aligning financial strategy with mission impact. She holds a Master of Science in Accounting and is proud to be a first-generation college graduate.
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As the Chief Operating Officer, Jimmy Swift is responsible for overseeing our core programs, our adult workforce development program, Great Jobs KC tuition-free job training, and our KC Scholars Scholarship Program, which includes 11th Grade Traditional Scholarships and Adult Learner Scholarships.
Jimmy has a career in education that spans more than 25 years and is built around supporting and improving the performance of career training programs and leading the operations of degree-granting institutions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in management and has served as Campus President, Vice President of Career Services, and Executive Director of various career schools.
Most recently, Jimmy served as the Vice President of PLA University at Phalen Leadership Academies, bringing access to job skill training to the parents and families of the Scholars served by Phalen Leadership schools across the country. Beyond his higher education experience, Jimmy serves as the Executive Board Chairman for Project Safety Net NY, a nonprofit community-based agency delivering a broad range of health, education, and prevention services to the New York Community. As the Chief Operating Officer for Great Jobs KC, he and his team are poised to make a substantial impact on the economic stability and future of Kansas City.
