In 2018, based on a report from the University of Southern California Race and Equity Center, Missouri and Kansas ranked amongst the lowest in the nation for graduating Black college students. This disparity is a result from a multitude of systemic inequities, including financial burden, and most notably, result from overt racism on college campuses. Though, the emergence of culturally responsive Black college leaders, looking to directly address these issues, offer a beacon of hope. Dr. Kimberly Beatty, the first Black (and eighth) Chancellor of Metropolitan Community College (MCC), embodies this transformative leadership.
Journey to Kansas City
“The little girl in me would be proud but also surprised. I never imagined I would be sitting in the chair I am today.”
Dr. Kimberly Beatty was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Growing up as the only child of a single mother, she frequently accompanied her mother to her college classes.
Dr. Beatty’s household was filled with extended family: being surrounded by so many relatives had a profound effect on her, especially her great grandmother. Her love of cooking and gardening rubbed off on Beatty, who remains an avid cook and gardener to this day.
After graduating from high school, Dr. Beatty moved to Baltimore to start her academic career at Morgan State University. She majored in English, aspiring to become a sports and entertainment lawyer. However, when her Law School Admission Test scores fell short, she elected to focus on teaching instead–staying at Morgan to earn a Master’s in English and a doctorate in higher education.
Since she began teaching, she has progressed through many roles, from English teacher to program manager, dean to vice chancellor at community colleges in Baltimore, California and Virginia. Despite her many moves, Dr. Beatty has always wanted to live in a big city. She and her husband, Kelvin Beatty, believed that a city large enough to support a football and a baseball team would offer the cultural, intellectual, and social opportunities that they desired. And so Dr. Beatty applied for the position of Chief Academic Officer at Houston Community College, the nation’s fourth largest community college. For two years, she served as the institution’s first Black Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer.
Then the possibility of moving to Kansas City came along. On August 24, 2018, Kimberly Beatty, Ed.D., became the first Black chancellor of Metropolitan Community College (MCC) in its 105-year history and the only Black CEO in the Missouri community college system.
Navigating Challenges as a Black American woman leader: Her Journey of authenticity and resilience
“I live and walk in the truth of who I am each day”
The recent year has been marked by controversy and tragedy for Black women in academia. Claudine Gay, Harvard University’s first Black female head, resigned amidst a donor-led campaign citing plagiarism accusations and her handling of antisemitism. Additionally, Antoinette Candia-Bailey, a former administrator at Lincoln University, died by suicide amid reports of bullying. These events have sparked outcry about the treatment of Black women in higher education.
During an interview with the Kansas City Defender, Dr Beatty evoked the relentless pressure of proving her worth, grappling not only with the weight of her race and gender but also contending with the patronizing assumption of youth early on in her career journey. She explained “People see you through racial and gender lens and that sometimes holds them back from embracing changes, ” Dr. Beatty works towards addressing persistence disparities, employee and student satisfaction, leadership skills, and other critical issues, within the college community. She co-authored the book, Transformational Change in Community Colleges reflecting on the urgency of a fairly educational system for all students.
Dr Beatty’s Election : A victory for the Black Community in Kansas City
“The outlook and the future of MCC are bright in my crystal ball.”
Anti-Black racism has plagued Missouri’s history, from its days as a Spanish and French territory permitting slavery. This entrenched racism has led to discrimination, segregation, and systemic inequalities for Blacks that persist to this day. Throughout the state’s history, Black individuals and communities have faced significant challenges and injustices due to racial prejudice and discrimination.
MCC is the oldest public institution of higher education in Kansas City and the first community college in Missouri. MCC serves about 20,000 students annually and employs over 2,000 full and part-time positions across its four campuses. And yet, although nearly 30% of students are Black, the number of Black instructors does not mirror this demographic. Dr. Beatty’s election signals a commitment to diversity, equity, and social justice within the school community.
“I feel validated and more allowed to express my opinions with Black teachers,” claimed an anonymous MCC student in an interview with The Kansas City Defender. They were specifically referring to Antwan Daniel, an experienced Black Chemistry Instructor and Education discipline Professor, as well advisor of the Men of Color club on campus.
Research led by The Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools emphasizes the importance of having Black instructors and figures to support and empower Black students. They reported that, while high school teachers expect 58% of White high school students to graduate from college, that expectation falls to just 37% for Black high school students. Implicit and overt bias, such as school staff perceiving behavior in Black boys as threatening and dangerous while the same behavior is seen as innocent for White students, is presented as common in schools and a factor that drives disparities in engagement and outcomes. To combat such bias, Dr. Beatty aims to promote educational opportunities for all students and create a more diverse and well-trained committee that fosters a high-achievement mentality among faculty and staff.
Dr Beatty’s Leadership Legacy: Honored, Respected, and Transformative
“Community Colleges are the lynchpin for the African American community because they contribute to the economic health of the community, close the skill gap, prepare students for four-year institutions, place and prepare people for jobs.”
In 2019, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver II and William Lacy Clay Jr. honored Dr. Beatty for her leadership and service to the community by inducting her into their Missouri Walk of Fame. The same year, she was inducted into the Black Achievers Society of Greater Kansas City. Dr. Beatty’s leadership has earned her several other awards and recognitions in the community.
During interviews with the Kansas City Defender, MCC employees stated that they “feel seen and valued” by Dr. Beatty, notably referring to her keeping all jobs secure and paid during the COVID-19 pandemic while almost all two and four-year colleges laid off or furloughed their employees. As the architect of the last two MCC strategic plans, She also implemented a $36 million investment in a new Advanced Technical Skills Training Institute. The ATSI is home to MCC’s high quality and high demand skilled trades programming in the KCMO area.
Dr. Kimberly Beatty and her journey serve as beacons: defending the potential of individuals beyond the constraints of color lines, while also dismantling biases settled by prejudice and racial injustice. We are reminded that the presence of Black staff and faculty are crucial as they serve as mirrors for Black students, helping them realize their potential and fostering a sense of belonging in the classroom. It is also a vital step towards creating a more equitable and inclusive education system, ensuring that all students have access to role models who reflect their experiences and aspirations. Representation matters and illuminates the path toward humanity and equity.
