On this episode of Banking on KC, Henry Wash, founder and CEO of High Aspirations, joins host Kelly Scanlon to discuss how the program supports young African American males through role modeling and mentoring. Wash has more than 20 years’ experience designing, implementing and evaluating programming for at-risk populations.

As a graduate teaching and research assistant at UMKC’s Henry W. Bloch School of Business, Wash gathered peer-reviewed research to develop High Aspirations, a faith-based program focusing on African American males, ages 8 to 18. The program supports them socially, academically, emotionally, and spiritually through mentoring and leadership training.

Henry has associate degrees in applied science and arts, a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in black studies and a master’s degree in public administration - urban affairs. He is a member of Alpha Kappa Delta, the International Honors Society of Sociology; a Harvard Annie E. Casey Innovations in American Government award winner; an alumnus of the Kansas City Tomorrow’s program; an AmeriCorps alumnus; and a Rising Star alum award winner chosen by The Independent Insider. He is also a guest lecturer at Yale University.

Henry’s background is similar to that of many of the young men who participate in High Aspirations, overcoming his circumstances in large part due to the mentoring he received from two prominent Kansas Citians—Henry W. Bloch and the late Thurman N. Mitchell. Henry's vision is to return the favor by changing the direction of young men from Kansas City’s urban core, resulting in a stronger community. Country Club Bank – Member FDIC 

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