Ethnic Enrichment Commission of Kansas City

Many Journeys, One Thriving Community

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About the EEC

The Ethnic Enrichment Commission (EEC) of Kansas City is a dynamic organization dedicated to celebrating and preserving the rich cultural tapestry of our communities. Through education, outreach, and engaging programs, the commission fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of the diverse ethnic traditions, languages, customs, that define our communities. By promoting unity through diversity, the EEC creates opportunities for individuals to connect, learn, and grow and preserve cultural heritage.

Our Impact

50

 EEC will be celebrating its 50 year anniversary in 2026

117k

In 2024, we reached over 117k people through our events —each connection a testament to the growing impact of our work and a powerful reminder that meaningful change begins with every individual we inspire.

70

 Our commissions represent over 70 countries

Our Mission

The Ethnic Enrichment Commission aspires to foster understanding and  appreciation of cultural diversity, to preserve Ethnic heritage, to  encourage Ethnic identity.

Creating Connections, Celebrating Cultures

The Ethnic Enrichment Commission of Kansas City was founded with the vision of fostering cultural understanding, celebrating diversity, and promoting inclusivity within communities.

Over the years, it has grown into a vital organization dedicated to enriching public awareness of ethnic traditions, histories, and contributions. Through various programs, festivals, and initiatives, the Commission has created a platform for individuals of all backgrounds to connect, learn, and contribute to a more harmonious and culturally rich society.

Our Events

Ethnic Enrichment Festival

The annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival is a vibrant celebration of the city’s rich multicultural tapestry. This beloved festival continues its legacy as one of the region’s premier festivals, uniting Kansas City through global cuisine, music, dance, and community spirit. Come for the food, come for festivities, come for the fun; just come!

Purchase Tickets

Sponsorship Opportunities

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Diplomatic Ball

The Diplomatic Ball is a celebration of global heritage, uniting cultures through captivating performances, international cuisine, and meaningful community engagement. This event offers a rich and immersive experience that honors the beauty and diversity of worldwide traditions.

Watch Video

Sponsorship Opportunities

Northland Ethnic Festival

The Northland Ethnic Festival celebrates culture and heritage with global food, vibrant exhibitions, and performances, offering an enriching experience that brings together diverse communities in Kansas City for a day of entertainment.

Watch Video

Outreach Events

Outreach programs are the cornerstone of our mission, fostering ethnic identity, preserving cultural heritage, and celebrating the rich mosaic of Kansas City’s communities through vibrant traditions, languages, cuisine, and artistic expression at events year round.

Upcoming Event:

Experience a world of culture, cuisine, and community at the Global Neighbors & Flavors Fest, a dynamic celebration hosted at the Lenexa Public Market in partnership with the Ethnic Enrichment Commission of Kansas City. Savor global flavors from market merchants and internationally inspired food trucks, explore artisan vendors, and enjoy captivating live performances that reflect the vibrant diversity of our community. This festive event is free and open to all—no tickets or registration required.

Next date: Saturday, June 07, 2025 | 10:00 AM to 01:00 PM – Lenexa Public Market, 8750 Penrose Lane, Lenexa, KS, 66219

Performance Schedule: 

  • 10 a.m. — Tahiti, Island Style Productions
  • 10:30 a.m. — Thailand, Thai Cultural Center of Greater KC
  • 11 a.m. — Japan, KSU Tatsumaki Yosakoi
  • 11:20 a.m. — BREAK
  • 11:50 a.m. — China, China Multicultural Association
  • 12:20 p.m. — Germany, German Folk Dance & Schuhplattler
  • 12:50 p.m. — Taiwan, HK Chinese Folk Dance Group
  • 1:10 p.m. — Mexico, Grupo Folklorico Misol
  • 1:30 p.m. — Parade of Flags

Benefits

Who We Serve

Individuals and Families from Diverse Backgrounds

We serve people of all ages, ethnicities, and cultures, creating an inclusive environment for everyone to celebrate their unique identities and connect with others.

Cultural Enthusiasts and Learners

Our programs reach those eager to learn, share, and engage with diverse cultures, fostering understanding and meaningful conversations about cultural differences.

Communities Looking to Preserve and Promote Heritage

We support ethnic groups seeking to preserve and celebrate their traditions, providing platforms to share their cultural histories and promote their unique contributions to society.

Area Students

For 30 years, the EEC has offered financial support & ongoing encouragement to graduating seniors. Over the past 10 years, the EEC has awarded over $55k in scholarships to area students.

Fostering Connections Across Kansas City

Through partnering with our community members, we are able to participate/create community centric programs throughout Kansas City focused on:

  • Celebrating Diversity
  • Promoting Cultural Awareness
  • Preserving Heritage
  • Encouraging Inclusivity
  • Strengthening Community Bonds
  • Promoting Global Understanding

The Heart of Our Work

Commitment to Unity Through Diversity

We prioritize fostering connections between different ethnic communities, ensuring that every culture is celebrated, respected, and valued within the fabric of our community.

Educational Opportunities for Cultural Engagement

Through educational programs and events, we offer individuals and families the chance to learn about and engage with diverse cultural traditions, promoting deeper understanding and appreciation.

Empowering Communities to Share Their Heritage

We empower local communities to share their unique cultures and histories, helping preserve their traditions while fostering a richer, more inclusive society.

Get Involved

Join us in celebrating cultural diversity and enriching our community by getting involved with the Ethnic Enrichment Commission.

Get Involved

Snapshots of Community, Culture, and Connection

Immerse yourself in this vibrant celebration of culture and heritage through our captivating photo gallery. Each image tells a story, capturing the rich diversity and timeless traditions of our events. Come, celebrate with us.

A message from our Chairperson

For nearly fifty years, the Ethnic Enrichment Commission has served as a vibrant mosaic of cultures from around the world, each finding a voice and a home in Kansas City. As chairperson, I take great pride in this milestone and in reaffirming our dedication to fostering cultural understanding and appreciation….

A message from our Chairperson

For nearly fifty years, the Ethnic Enrichment Commission has served as a vibrant mosaic of cultures from around the world, each finding a voice and a home in Kansas City. As chairperson, I take great pride in this milestone and in reaffirming our dedication to fostering cultural understanding and appreciation. Representing over 70 member commissions, our organization acts as a crucial bridge, promoting dialogue and celebrating the region’s ethnic rich diversity. We believe that embracing different cultures is essential for creating a stronger, more inclusive community. Through year-round outreach programs, we actively connect and celebrate the diverse communities that make Kansas City unique.

As we look to the future, our mission remains steadfast: to honor, share and celebrate the diverse cultures & communities that will enrich our city for generations to come.

Our Partners/Sponsors

Contact Us

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ethnickc

204 2,517

Your neighbor has a story to share #EthnicKC #DiversityKC 🌏🌍🌎

1 day until the 46th Annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival! Check out the unique fashion of each country on Sunday, August 17 at 2 PM!

Tickets: $5 Adults 12+, Kids under 12 are Free. Purchase tickets through the link in our bio or the day of.

Swope Park, KCMO
Free Parking!

Festival Hours
Friday, August 15 | 6-10 PM
Saturday, August 16 | 12-10 PM
Sunday, August 17 | 12-6 PM

Sorry, no pets allowed.
Questions?
Contact: 816-513-7553 or info@eeckc.org

Please bring the following cultural food items to donate to Harvesters – The Community Food Network.
No glass jars please.
Canned Items
•Diced Tomatoes
•Corn
•Jalapenos
•Green Beans
•Carrots
•Collard Greens
•Fruit Mix
•Water Chestnuts
•Coconut Milk
•Tuna

Dry Goods
•Masa Corn Flour
•White Rice
•Lentils
•Black Beans
•Pinto Beans
•Menudo
•Macaroni & Cheese
•Corn Muffin Mix
•All-purpose flour

Miscellaneous Items
•Mexico Lindo Habanera Sauce
•Hot Chili Sauce (Siracha)
•Peanut Butter
•Vegetable Oil

#eeckc #ethnickc #kansascity #festival #foodfestival #kcfoodie #EthnicFestival #CulturalFestival #ethnicenrichmentfestival #CulturalExchange #culturaldance

40 0
Open post by ethnickc with ID 17916567504036406
1 day until the 46th Annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival! Check out the unique fashion of each country on Sunday, August 17 at 2 PM! Tickets: $5 Adults 12+, Kids under 12 are Free. Purchase tickets through the link in our bio or the day of. Swope Park, KCMO Free Parking! Festival Hours Friday, August 15 | 6-10 PM Saturday, August 16 | 12-10 PM Sunday, August 17 | 12-6 PM Sorry, no pets allowed. Questions? Contact: 816-513-7553 or info@eeckc.org Please bring the following cultural food items to donate to Harvesters – The Community Food Network. No glass jars please. Canned Items •Diced Tomatoes •Corn •Jalapenos •Green Beans •Carrots •Collard Greens •Fruit Mix •Water Chestnuts •Coconut Milk •Tuna Dry Goods •Masa Corn Flour •White Rice •Lentils •Black Beans •Pinto Beans •Menudo •Macaroni & Cheese •Corn Muffin Mix •All-purpose flour Miscellaneous Items •Mexico Lindo Habanera Sauce •Hot Chili Sauce (Siracha) •Peanut Butter •Vegetable Oil #eeckc #ethnickc #kansascity #festival #foodfestival #kcfoodie #EthnicFestival #CulturalFestival #ethnicenrichmentfestival #CulturalExchange #culturaldance

...

40 0

3 days until the 46th Annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival! Don’t miss the Parade of Flags on Saturday, August 16 at 4 PM where you can meet the countries and cultures represented in the commission!

Tickets: $5 Adults 12+, Kids under 12 are Free. Purchase tickets through the link in our bio or the day of.

Swope Park, KCMO
Free Parking!

Festival Hours
Friday, August 15 | 6-10 PM
Saturday, August 16 | 12-10 PM
Sunday, August 17 | 12-6 PM

Sorry, no pets allowed.
Questions?
Contact: 816-513-7553 or info@eeckc.org

Please bring the following cultural food items to donate to Harvesters – The Community Food Network.
No glass jars please.
Canned Items
•Diced Tomatoes
•Corn
•Jalapenos
•Green Beans
•Carrots
•Collard Greens
•Fruit Mix
•Water Chestnuts
•Coconut Milk
•Tuna

Dry Goods
•Masa Corn Flour
•White Rice
•Lentils
•Black Beans
•Pinto Beans
•Menudo
•Macaroni & Cheese
•Corn Muffin Mix
•All-purpose flour

Miscellaneous Items
•Mexico Lindo Habanera Sauce
•Hot Chili Sauce (Siracha)
•Peanut Butter
•Vegetable Oil

##eeckc #ethnickc #kansascity #festival #foodfestival #kcfoodie #EthnicFestival #CulturalFestival #ethnicenrichmentfestival #CulturalExchange #culturaldance

60 0
Open post by ethnickc with ID 18083515876891997
3 days until the 46th Annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival! Don’t miss the Parade of Flags on Saturday, August 16 at 4 PM where you can meet the countries and cultures represented in the commission! Tickets: $5 Adults 12+, Kids under 12 are Free. Purchase tickets through the link in our bio or the day of. Swope Park, KCMO Free Parking! Festival Hours Friday, August 15 | 6-10 PM Saturday, August 16 | 12-10 PM Sunday, August 17 | 12-6 PM Sorry, no pets allowed. Questions? Contact: 816-513-7553 or info@eeckc.org Please bring the following cultural food items to donate to Harvesters – The Community Food Network. No glass jars please. Canned Items •Diced Tomatoes •Corn •Jalapenos •Green Beans •Carrots •Collard Greens •Fruit Mix •Water Chestnuts •Coconut Milk •Tuna Dry Goods •Masa Corn Flour •White Rice •Lentils •Black Beans •Pinto Beans •Menudo •Macaroni & Cheese •Corn Muffin Mix •All-purpose flour Miscellaneous Items •Mexico Lindo Habanera Sauce •Hot Chili Sauce (Siracha) •Peanut Butter •Vegetable Oil ##eeckc #ethnickc #kansascity #festival #foodfestival #kcfoodie #EthnicFestival #CulturalFestival #ethnicenrichmentfestival #CulturalExchange #culturaldance

...

60 0

5 days until the 46th Annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival! See Swope Park transformed into a vibrant marketplace with food and craft vendors from around the world! Enjoy cultural dances from far and wide all in the heart of America!

Tickets: $5 Adults 12+, Kids under 12 are Free. Purchase tickets through the link in our bio or the day of.

Swope Park, KCMO
Free Parking!

Festival Hours
Friday, August 15 | 6-10 PM
Saturday, August 16 | 12-10 PM
Sunday, August 17 | 12-6 PM

Sorry, no pets allowed.
Questions?
Contact: 816-513-7553 or info@eeckc.org

Please bring the following cultural food items to donate to Harvesters – The Community Food Network.
No glass jars please.
Canned Items
•Diced Tomatoes
•Corn
•Jalapenos
•Green Beans
•Carrots
•Collard Greens
•Fruit Mix
•Water Chestnuts
•Coconut Milk
•Tuna

Dry Goods
•Masa Corn Flour
•White Rice
•Lentils
•Black Beans
•Pinto Beans
•Menudo
•Macaroni & Cheese
•Corn Muffin Mix
•All-purpose flour

Miscellaneous Items
•Mexico Lindo Habanera Sauce
•Hot Chili Sauce (Siracha)
•Peanut Butter
•Vegetable Oil

##eeckc #ethnickc #kansascity #festival #foodfestival #kcfoodie #EthnicFestival #CulturalFestival #ethnicenrichmentfestival #CulturalExchange #culturaldance

152 2
Open post by ethnickc with ID 18049974041530548
5 days until the 46th Annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival! See Swope Park transformed into a vibrant marketplace with food and craft vendors from around the world! Enjoy cultural dances from far and wide all in the heart of America! Tickets: $5 Adults 12+, Kids under 12 are Free. Purchase tickets through the link in our bio or the day of. Swope Park, KCMO Free Parking! Festival Hours Friday, August 15 | 6-10 PM Saturday, August 16 | 12-10 PM Sunday, August 17 | 12-6 PM Sorry, no pets allowed. Questions? Contact: 816-513-7553 or info@eeckc.org Please bring the following cultural food items to donate to Harvesters – The Community Food Network. No glass jars please. Canned Items •Diced Tomatoes •Corn •Jalapenos •Green Beans •Carrots •Collard Greens •Fruit Mix •Water Chestnuts •Coconut Milk •Tuna Dry Goods •Masa Corn Flour •White Rice •Lentils •Black Beans •Pinto Beans •Menudo •Macaroni & Cheese •Corn Muffin Mix •All-purpose flour Miscellaneous Items •Mexico Lindo Habanera Sauce •Hot Chili Sauce (Siracha) •Peanut Butter •Vegetable Oil ##eeckc #ethnickc #kansascity #festival #foodfestival #kcfoodie #EthnicFestival #CulturalFestival #ethnicenrichmentfestival #CulturalExchange #culturaldance

...

152 2

What you don’t see at the Ethnic Enrichment Festival is all the hours of building that goes into it! Every year on the Saturday before the festival, the commissioners with booths come to build them. It takes a lot of hands, hours, and love to put on this amazing festival, so stop by and appreciate the hard work put into every booth August 15-17!

Tickets: $5 Adults 12+, Kids under 12 are Free. Purchase tickets through the link in our bio or the day of.

Swope Park, KCMO
Free Parking!

Festival Hours
Friday, August 15 | 6-10 PM
Saturday, August 16 | 12-10 PM
Sunday, August 17 | 12-6 PM

Sorry, no pets allowed.
Questions?
Contact: 816-513-7553 or info@eeckc.org

Please bring the following cultural food items to donate to @harvesters – The Community Food Network.
No glass jars please.
Canned Items
•Diced Tomatoes
•Corn
•Jalapenos
•Green Beans
•Carrots
•Collard Greens
•Fruit Mix
•Water Chestnuts
•Coconut Milk
•Tuna

Dry Goods
•Masa Corn Flour
•White Rice
•Lentils
•Black Beans
•Pinto Beans
•Menudo
•Macaroni & Cheese
•Corn Muffin Mix
•All-purpose flour

Miscellaneous Items
•Mexico Lindo Habanera Sauce
•Hot Chili Sauce (Siracha)
•Peanut Butter
•Vegetable Oil

##eeckc #ethnickc #kansascity #festival #foodfestival #kcfoodie #EthnicFestival #CulturalFestival #ethnicenrichmentfestival #CulturalExchange #culturaldance

299 3
Open post by ethnickc with ID 18037236929430628
What you don’t see at the Ethnic Enrichment Festival is all the hours of building that goes into it! Every year on the Saturday before the festival, the commissioners with booths come to build them. It takes a lot of hands, hours, and love to put on this amazing festival, so stop by and appreciate the hard work put into every booth August 15-17! Tickets: $5 Adults 12+, Kids under 12 are Free. Purchase tickets through the link in our bio or the day of. Swope Park, KCMO Free Parking! Festival Hours Friday, August 15 | 6-10 PM Saturday, August 16 | 12-10 PM Sunday, August 17 | 12-6 PM Sorry, no pets allowed. Questions? Contact: 816-513-7553 or info@eeckc.org Please bring the following cultural food items to donate to @harvesters – The Community Food Network. No glass jars please. Canned Items •Diced Tomatoes •Corn •Jalapenos •Green Beans •Carrots •Collard Greens •Fruit Mix •Water Chestnuts •Coconut Milk •Tuna Dry Goods •Masa Corn Flour •White Rice •Lentils •Black Beans •Pinto Beans •Menudo •Macaroni & Cheese •Corn Muffin Mix •All-purpose flour Miscellaneous Items •Mexico Lindo Habanera Sauce •Hot Chili Sauce (Siracha) •Peanut Butter •Vegetable Oil ##eeckc #ethnickc #kansascity #festival #foodfestival #kcfoodie #EthnicFestival #CulturalFestival #ethnicenrichmentfestival #CulturalExchange #culturaldance

...

299 3