I am William Bates, a community and business professional with solid experience and knowledge of Kansas City communities and a passion to see these communities grow and thrive. I am a trained urban planner with a degree in Urban Studies from University of Missouri at Kansas City and a Master’s in Business Administration. I currently live in the Historic Manheim Park community where I have served in the past as a member of the Community Leadership Council (e.g., Board of Directors) and oversee all housing and infrastructure development projects on behalf of the community. I am currently active in the community working with the Urban Neighborhood Initiative, the Troost Community Investment District Development Committee and several other local organizations. I love Kansas City and I am eager to lend my time and talents to help our local communities grow and thrive.

I moved to Kansas City approximately ten years ago to attend the University of Missouri at Kansas City where I completed a bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies with a concentration in community development. Through my training, I developed a passion for working in Kansas City communities and specifically leveraging resources from various sources to help these communities to become safer, more livable places where residents are proud to call these communities home. My interest in Urban Neighborhoods stems from this passion to leverage my talents as an urban planner and my training/professional experience in business to help improve the lives of people who live in central Kansas City. Beyond working with Urban neighborhoods, I have a passion in gardening and renovating houses.