Who we are

Lindsay Kinney (She/Her) is a queer advocate for social justice and basic human needs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and has spent most of her professional career in social work. She is passionate about the arts, especially live music, and most of her favorite people are artists. She is a natural connector, builder of community relationships and understands the power of collaboration.

W. Rodriguez (she/her), a Venezuelan poet and multidisciplinary artist, holds a bachelor's degree in Hispanic Language and Literature from the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México.

With a focus on immigration, symbolism, and spirituality, she has performed spoken word in various countries and managed projects for UAMéx's Cultural Development department.

Waleska founded the Bicultural Poetry Program in 2022 to continue her life-long commitment to promoting poetry as an important tool in the emotional process.

Jaime Rovenstine (she/her) is a painter, poet, cultural worker, and community organizer. She earned her BFA in Fine Arts at Columbia College Chicago before relocating to Kansas City in 2009. With a background in curatorial work, corporate law, and small business ownership (RIP Monarch Coffee), she is excited to join No Divide and bring together her diverse professional experiences, along with her love of the arts and community building.

Jaime loves gardening, hiking, road trips, and gathering with family and friends. She is also the co-founder of Moms*Rage, a KC based community collective that hosts dance party fundraisers and local organizing opportunities.

Rook Jacobsen is a young trans artist originally from Omaha, Nebraska. He’s currently studying animation at the Kansas City Art Institute, and plans to eventually continue his education in art and animation. His work lives in the extremes of color, creating vibrant worlds and dark atmospheres. He weaves together poetry and character to unearth stories of quiet love, imperfect life, and the beautiful death. Rook is currently focusing on his senior thesis film, and expanding his capacity as an artist.

Tyler Goff (he/they) is still looking for a way to transpose Banking into Bass Clef, but until then his primary focus is providing financial education and wellness solutions to individuals and organizations. He also connects folks to various community service and business opportunities through his leadership position in PRIDE, an LGBTQI+ employee resource group. A lover of the arts, he can be found tapping his foot in 4/4.

Kailee Karr (they/he/she) is a comedian and writer who works by day in educational advocacy. They have toured nationwide performing stand-up comedy and co-founded Kansas City's Fountain City Comedy Festival, the city’s largest comedy event, in 2022. Kailee is passionate about using storytelling as a catalyst for social change and is enthusiastic about collaborating with No Divide to create more opportunities for queer artists in Kansas City.

Kira Johnston-Owens brings nearly three decades of experience in banking, financial operations, and strategic leadership. She is passionate about using strong financial stewardship to support mission-driven organizations and ensure long-term sustainability. Kira is deeply committed to No Divide KC’s work of fostering inclusion, understanding, and meaningful community connection across Kansas City.

Ryan "Kadesh Flow" Davis is a Billboard charting rapper, trombonist, and producer who actively blends his jazz and hip hop backgrounds into riveting musical performances that boast personal, dexterous lyricism and bold, virtuosic trombone playing. He boasts performances supporting artists such as Janelle Monae, Tech N9ne, Dave East, The Revivalists, and numerous other prolific acts.

Serving as the exhibition juror this year is curator and gallery owner Robert Gann (he/him). Gann is the proprietor and executive curator at Habitat Contemporary Gallery, a commercial art space located in the heart of the KC Crossroads Art district. Gann is also an Honors Graduate from UMKC, in the field of Art History and Museum Studies, he combines his educational and practical experience in redefining the cultural environment of Kansas City.

James Nechleba (he/him) is an attorney and proud ally of the LGBTQ+ community, with over 15 years of experience supporting artists across Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, and New Mexico. He provides legal guidance on intellectual property, commercial, and corporate matters to help creatives protect and sustain their work. James is an active member of both the Kansas City Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts (KCVLAA) and Colorado Attorneys for the Arts (CAFTA). As a board member of No Divide KC, he is deeply committed to preserving and uplifting Kansas City's artistic culture and the diverse communities that shape it. His work is grounded in the belief that creative expression and inclusive representation are essential to a thriving arts ecosystem.

Georgia Brantley (she/her) works in a women owned and operated wealth management company here in Kansas City. Her love of art, Kansas City, and the queer community pairs seamlessly with No Divide KC's mission. An artist herself, Georgia loves working with many different mediums, including printmaking, stippling, drawing, and painting. She is passionate about giving Kansas City artists a platform to share their creativity and talents.