ABOUT US
Create Campaign, Inc. began as an event in 2015 in partnership with the Entrepreneurship Task Force and
has now grown to a standalone organization featuring four focus areas and programming in Wichita and
Kansas City, Kansas.
Our Mission:
Activating urban entrepreneurs in Kansas to launch, innovate and grow
Our Vision:
To serve as the hub of minority business development, growth and innovation in Kansas
SINCE 2015
IMPACT
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ENTREPRENEURS SERVED: 1,553+
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BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EVENTS/TRAININGS HELD: 83 (since 2015)
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MICROLOANS APPROVED: $76,000 (since 2018)
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LEGALLY-STRUCTURED BUSINESSES: 21
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BUSINESS STARTS SUPPORT: 20+
THE CONTEXT THAT FRAMES OUR WORK
MINORITY FOUNDERS
HISTORICALLY OVERLOOKED.
SYSTEMICALLY, UNDERVALUED.
African-American and Hispanic/Latino entrepreneurs
do not have the same business start and growth experience as their peers in the Kansas entrepreneurship community.
The impact of historic and systemic factors have created barriers that
have delayed full the development of robust minority-owned firms.
OUR FOUNDER
CHRISTINA M. LONG
President/CEO, Create Campaign, Inc.
Christina M. Long is an entrepreneur and community-builder.
The Wichita native brings more than 20 years of communication and design experience to CML Collective, LLC, her graphic design and communication services company that she launched in 2013 after successful careers in education and journalism reporting for The Wichita Eagle.
Among her numerous honors, Christina was named the Kansas Minority Business Advocate by the Kansas Department of Commerce's Office of Minority and Women Business in 2018.
Connect with Christina | via email and on social at @cmlcollective
OUR STAFF
alejo cabral
Program Director, Create Campaign, Inc.
Alejo Cabral a first generation American, the son of two immigrant parents, the youngest sibling of three, and husband to a wonderful wife. He was born and raised in Chula Vista, California but has called Wichita his home for the last ten years. Over the last five years Alejo has been a valuable team member at the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce, where he oversaw the rebranding and expansion of talent efforts like W (formerly Young Professionals of Wichita), #internICT, Group Mentoring, and laid the foundation for Campus Wichita.
Alejo Cabral sees himself as a door stop, working to ensure opportunities remain open and available for underrepresented professionals, organizations, and communities. In addition to the work he has done at the Chamber Alejo also serves on community boards like the City of Wichita Board of Park Commissioners, Arts Partners Wichita, the Wichita Art Museum, and Wichita Parks Foundation.
Connect with Alejo via email.
DESIREE' ALLEN
Operations Director, Create Campaign, Inc.
Desiree’ Allen is responsible for maintaining operational excellence, overseeing logistics, database management, and talent management. With over 10 years in both corporate and nonprofit sectors, Desiree’ has experience in recruitment, team building, professional development, strategic implementation, and company collaboration. In addition to her professional experience, she also holds a Masters in Business Administration from Tabor College with an emphasis in Leadership. As a proud Wichita native with a natural knack for planning and implementation she’s excited to do her part to successfully achieve the aim of transforming lives and communities through entrepreneurship.
Connect with Desiree' via email.
IESHA HENDERSON
Graphic Designer, Create Campaign, Inc.
Iesha Henderson, a Wichita native and Derby resident, brings graphic design and communication services talent to Create Campaign, Inc. In addition to enhancing Create Campaign's branding, Henderson also provides client and event support.
Henderson joined Create Campaign in 2019 in a contractual role and became the organization's first staff member in 2020. Henderson earned her BA in graphic design from Wichita State University.
What she hopes to accomplish with Create Campaign? - "to gain as much knowledge as I can being in the professional field of graphic design. I not only want to expand myself, but to also help Create Campaign grow and help others further their businesses and help them as much as I can creatively. I hope in the future be able to train others on how to further expand their business."
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Fabrice metan
Treasurer
Owner/Lead Accountant
Simplify My Numbers
zach wiggins
Secretary
Attorney
Martin Pringle
JOSHUA ENLOW
Vice President
Owner/Founder
ProTech
iris K. williams,esq.
Senior Manager,
BAE
GARY OBORNY
President/CEO
Occidental Management
michele valadez
Entrepreneur
Community Affairs Intern
Evergy
OUR
ADVISORS
Aaron Bastian
President
Fidelity Bank
dell gines
Senior Community Development Advisor
Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City- Omaha Branch
DAVE SEILER
VP Operations and Compliance
Koch Minerals and Trading
SHAWN BAUMAN
Accountant
Regier, Carr & Monroe, LLP
Robin Needham
SVP Small Business Lending
SBA Lending Specialist
Emprise Bank
STEVE RADLEY
President/CEO
NetWork Kansas
ANGIE FRANKLIN
Wichita Branch Manager
Great Plains Federal Credit Union
Darrius Wright
President
Kansas Business Services, LLC
Jolanda Hamilton
CFO/Vice President
Skyward Bound Solutions, LLC
WHAT ENTREPRENEURS
ARE SAYING ABOUT CREATE CAMPAIGN
The Wichita Cheesecake Company
AB&C Bilingual Resources
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- I am so grateful to have had an opportunity to attend a Create Campaign forum. I discovered several valuable resources and it was comforting to know that there is a great support system for small business owners here in Wichita.
- When I hear the words Create Campaign I think small business empowerment; small business information; build your network. I have learned the difference between a small business and a hobby. I have several new contacts and ideas on how to create my new small business when I'm ready. Knowledge is power. I had no idea there was so much help here for small business development!
- I look forward each year because it inspires me to set goals and follow my dreams.
- I must find funding. It's time for me to take off. I am grateful for the access of information.
- ...it helped me really understand the next steps I need to take to grow my business.
- Our company would not exist without Create Campaign!
WHAT OUR PARTNERS ARE SAYING ABOUT CREATE CAMPAIGN
“The Create Campaign has been a tremendous source of support for the Center for Entrepreneurship’s efforts to bring early stage ideas into the innovation ecosystem being built in this community.
The Create Campaign helps identify and develop these entrepreneurs and make them aware of the resources available to them. “
MARK TORLINE - BUSINESS LEADER, FORMER DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP AT WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY
“We have found the Create Campaign to be one of the most effective ways to connect African American and other under-served entrepreneurs with resources that help them start or grow their businesses."
STEVE RADLEY - PRESIDENT/CEO, NETWORK KANSAS
“Working with Christina and the Create Campaign has allowed us to better understand the needs of the minority business owner community and while there is still work to be done by professional service firms in the business community, the Create Campaign continues to be a guiding light and inspiration for all of us.” – Richard Stevens, Attorney at Law
RICHARD STEVENS - ATTORNEY
OUR LEAD PARTNERS AND SPONSORS
NetWork Kansas is growing an entrepreneurial environment in Kansas by cultivating resources to start and grow small businesses. We are a statewide network of non-profit business-building resources that help entrepreneurs and small business owners startup and grow successful businesses.
Fidelity Bank is committed to providing exceptional service to all of our customers. As the second largest locally owned financial institution in Wichita, Kansas and a growing presence in Oklahoma City and Overland Park, we provide customers with a wide array of quality financial services.
Spirit AeroSystems
Spirit AeroSystems, with headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, USA, is one of the world’s largest non-OEM designers and manufacturers of aerostructures for commercial and defense aircraft. In addition to its Wichita facilities, Spirit has locations in Tulsa and McAlester, Oklahoma; Kinston, North Carolina; Prestwick, Scotland; Subang, Malaysia; and Saint-Nazaire, France. The company’s core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components. Additionally, Spirit provides maintenance, repair and overhaul services.
Koch Industries
Our life’s work is to help people improve their lives by making and innovating products and services our customers value. Our focus is on delivering mutual benefit: Win-win outcomes that make life better for customers and employees alike.
Cox Business Solutions
Leading-edge technology. Fast, reliable services. Business-class support. Find products and services that fit your business size and your business needs.
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Evergy
We're committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable sources of energy in our community today and well into the future.
Occidental Management
Occidental Management Inc. was established in 1997 by Gary Oborny. Originally created to work in acquisitions, Occidental evolved into a development company with the construction of the Bristol Square property in 2000. Since then, Occidental has progressed into a multi-faceted company specializing not only in acquisitions and development but sales, leasing and property management.
Occidental Management is a premier Commercial Real Estate Development Company in the Midwest that operates in a variety of real estate segments including retail, office and industrial development.
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Ewing Marion Kauffman believed every person has the opportunity to be uncommon and take risks to achieve success.
Entrepreneurship
We work with entrepreneurs, empower them with tools and resources, and work to break down barriers that stand in the way of starting and growing their businesses.
Emprise Bank
We're not your typical financial institution...nor do we want to be. When you work with Emprise, our goal is to exceed your expectations each and every time. We want to keep finding ways to be the bank you choose over and over again.
Bank of the West
At Bank of the West, your money has values as well as value. We know money deposited in a bank has the power to finance positive change. So we are taking action to support activities that help protect the planet, improve people’s lives, and strengthen communities. We are redefining banking for a better future by focusing on areas where we believe we can have a real impact: supporting energy transition, helping enable women entrepreneurs, and financing innovative start-ups.
our partners
The Create Campaign enjoys a strong partner network.
Some of our partners include:
