What is the Heartland Pop-Up?
Each spring, the Heartland Pop-Up brings together students, families, and the globally curious for a night of food, jazz, and celebration—all in support of the Heartland Youth Diplomats Institute and Global Ties KC’s mission.
On Thursday, May 8, Kansas City showed up and showed out for people-to-people diplomacy at the 2025 Heartland Pop-Up at Haverty Yards, Union Station. The KC community joined Global Ties KC for an evening full of live jazz, yard games, local bites, and global connection.
What Does Global Ties KC Do?
For over 70 years, Global Ties KC has served as a connection point between the Heartland and the world. Through international exchanges, professional programs, and youth leadership initiatives, the organization brings international visitors and global experiences to Kansas City residents and helps cultivate the next generation of globally engaged citizens.
Organizations like Global Ties KC are essential to student leadership in Kansas City, offering hands-on experiences and cultural exposure that shape future leaders. Programs like the Heartland Youth Diplomats Institute ensure that local students from the Heartland have access to opportunities that expand their worldviews and skill sets.
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A Night of Music, Memories, and Milestones
This annual celebration brought together our Kansas City community of globally minded professionals, students, sponsors, and families for an evening of connection and impact. The event underscored Global Ties KC’s continued commitment across different administrations to fostering international understanding through community connection.
Guests enjoyed an evening full of Kansas City flavor—from live music by the Mutual Musicians Foundation Rhythm and Jazz Collective to tasty bites by Brancato’s Catering and family fun like face painting and games while soothing bubbles bounced around in the Spring air. You could sense the warm and engaging atmosphere, reflective of Kansas City’s global spirit.
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The evening also featured remarks from Global Ties KC’s President & CEO Courtney Brooks, and Board Chair Sujal Shah.
Whether connecting over dinner, dancing near the stage, or chatting with a future Youth Diplomat, attendees got a taste of the impact Global Ties KC makes possible year-round and is only able to do so with the community’s support.
Why This Event Matters
The Heartland Pop-Up is more than just a friend-raiser. It’s a show of community support for cultural exchange and young people stepping into leadership. Funds raised from the event power fully-funded trips, cultural exchanges, and training for local high school students. In 2025, the program reached students from 30+ schools across the region.
As one Youth Diplomat, Andrew, shared:
“[The program] has truly solidified my belief in my ability to engage with my community and prepare for my goals.”
Announcing the Barbara Dolci Scholarship Winner
One of the evening’s most moving moments was the announcement of this year’s Barbara Dolci International Studies Scholarship winner Finley Eder, who believes that:
“If we can live the lives of others and understand their struggles as well as their joys, the world could gain more empathy towards one another.”
In front of a supportive audience, we celebrated a remarkable Youth Diplomat whose commitment to international understanding and leadership earned her this special recognition. In her own words:
“Thank you to Global Ties KC for honoring me with the Barbara Dolci Scholarship. I cannot thank you enough for this amazing impact on my educational career. This scholarship will go directly towards paying for my university tuition, allowing me to further my goal of creating a better tomorrow.”
We are proud to help support Finley’s journey and honor the legacy of Barbara Dolci, who believes deeply in the power of education and youth leadership.
Building Global Leaders Starts Here
Global Ties KC’s Heartland Youth Diplomats Institute is a tuition-free nine-month leadership program that connects Heartland high schoolers with global career options, cultural fluency, and leadership skills. It’s free to all students thanks to the generosity of our donors and sponsors.
This year’s event also marked the graduation of the 2024-2025 Heartland Youth Diplomats, featuring a wall display of their journey, celebrating the lasting impact of Global Ties KC’s work in Kansas City youth and beyond.
Students like Maria, who shared that she “hopes to become a Foreign Service Officer, focusing on the global education crisis.”
Or, like Katherine, who “hopes to work with the CDC or WHO, focusing on creating vaccines.”
Thanks to our community’s contributions during the event, we are one step closer to reaching our 2025 fundraising goal. For decades, we have relied heavily on federal grants, but with those funding sources now uncertain, it’s time to focus on local support.
Here’s what your donations make possible:
- Over 60 students participated in the 2024–25 Youth Diplomats Institute cohort, and even more are expected in the 2025–2026 cohort
- Over 200 alumni spread throughout the Heartland, leading in their schools, cities, and fields
- Fully funded exchange trips to D.C., Phoenix, and Chicago
How Can Kansas City Students Get Involved?
Applications are now open for the 2025–2026 Youth Diplomats Institute. High school students (freshman through senior) are invited to apply to this nine-month, free program that connects them with global peers, careers in diplomacy, and leadership opportunities.
The 2025 Raffle: A Celebration of Kansas City
Four incredible locally-based prize packages gave attendees the chance to win and support youth leadership at the same time, while at the 2025 Heartland Pop-Up. Raffle winners took home unforgettable experiences that celebrated Kansas City, like:
- A night at Crossroads Hotel with a $200 dinner at Lazia
- A Painted Table Dessert Experience for four at Affäre
- An exclusive Smokestack Tour at The Boulevard Brewing Company
- A Brew & Hike package with Urban Hikes KC and Grand Coffee Co.
Each in-kind item was generously donated by local partners who believe in the power of international exchange and the magic of Kansas City.
Appreciation To Our Sponsors and Community Support
We are deeply grateful to every attendee, donor, sponsor, and partner who made this night possible, especially:
Community Sponsors:
SHS Consulting, Polsinelli, AgendaUSA, Social Driver, and Crossroads Hotel
Events like this are possible thanks to your belief in citizen diplomacy and international exchange.
Get Involved
To stay involved with Global Ties KC, consider donating today. You can also volunteer as a Global Ties KC Host and join a network of trusted KC community members, or partner with us to support international understanding in your own backyard.
To learn about upcoming visitor delegations, youth programs, future events, and hosting opportunities, subscribe to our newsletter.
You can view all the event photos here.
Thank you for making the 2025 Heartland Pop-Up another unforgettable evening of global connection in the Heartland!
