Bigger and Better Business - Richard Mitchem, Director
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BBB Spotlight - Brother Kelvin L. Simmons
A History Maker
Professionally, he has more than 25 years of experience in local and state government. Among the highlights of Kelvin’s distinguished career in state government are appointments by three different Missouri Governors to some of the most prestigious cabinet and regulatory positions in state government.
He served as:
- Chairman and Commissioner of the Missouri Public Service Commission
- Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development
- Commissioner of Administration in the Office of Administration.
Kelvin was unanimously confirmed by the Missouri Senate on three separate occasions.
He also served as a senior staff member in the Missouri Governor’s Office.
- The first African American in Missouri History to hold the position
- The first African American male in Missouri History to hold the position
At the local level in Kansas City, Missouri, Kelvin was twice elected to the City Council in Kansas City’s 5th Council District. Kelvin is a native-born Kansas Citian. He has been a senior campaign director on national presidential campaigns and congressional campaigns.
Today, Kelvin continues to be extremely active in public service in the Kansas City Community but has become an entrepreneur and businessman which is why we are featuring him in our bigger and better business platform.
Lobbying and Government Affairs
When Kelvin left state government, he joined the global law firm Dentons.
He served as a principal in the firm. At Dentons, Kelvin worked in the Public Policy and Regulation practice group where he specialized in government relations, procurement development and lobbying services. He was an advisor to some of the largest companies and corporations in the United States. Dentons is the largest international law firm in the world.
In 2018, Kelvin co-founded the Nexus Group – a full-service government affairs firm headquartered in Jefferson City, Missouri. The firm specializes in lobbying, government relations, and public/private partnership consultancy. Kelvin still maintains an active partnership role in the firm. Nexus Group is a Missouri certified Minority Business Enterprise. WWW.Nexus-grp.com
Other Entrepreneurial Interests
In 2023, Kelvin became a part of a joint venture airport concessions group that owns some of the food and beverage operations at the new Kansas City airport. If you visit the Kansas City airport, drop by the Leagues Sports Lounge & Eatery, the 18th & Vine Travel Essentials and the City Market Coffee Roasters. Not only are these stores minority owned but they are Sigma inspired.
A Real Estate Developer
In 2023, Kelvin Co-developed a 80-unit mixed use market rate apartment development in the 18th & Vine Historic Jazz District. The mixed-use project also has 17,500 square feet of commercial/retail space and an underground parking garage. The award-winning development is known as One Nine Vine.
Today, Kelvin is part of a development team constructing a new mixed-use 48-unit affordable housing development project with 10,000 sqft of commercial/retail space in the Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District. The project will be called “The Parker” named for the famous and legendary Kansas City Jazz musician Charlie Bird Parker. The Monarch Development Group owned by Kelvin Simmons will partner with McCormack Baron Salazar as a community partner and will develop the commercial/retail offering in the project.
Kelvin is currently the Chairman of the Vine Street Community Improvement District (CID) in the Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District. He was previously appointed by the Mayor of Kansas City to serve on the 18th & Vine Development Policy Committee in 2017.
Awards and Honors
- Carnahan Public Service Award, Carnahan Policy Center, Columbia, MO
- “50 Missourians You Should Know” - Ingram’s Magazine, Kansas City, MO
- Keeper of the Flame, Lifetime Achievement Award, NAACP, St. Louis, MO
- Jordan McNeal Award, Missouri Legislative Black Caucus Foundation, Jefferson City, MO
Memberships
- Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc (Crossed Nov. 1982 – Eta Gamma) University of Missouri-Columbia
- Sigma Pi Phi, Theta Boule
- Mizzou Alumni Association, Life Member
- Greater Kansas City Black Chamber of Commerce
- Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce
EDUCATION
- (2) BA’s, College of Arts and Science, University of Missouri – Columbia, Columbia, MO
- EMBA, Block School of Business, University of Missouri – Kansas City, Kansas City, MO
Kelvin and his family live in Parkville, Missouri.
Black Spend Initiative
Upload your Black Spend Receipts
When spending at a BLACK OWNED BUSINESS, please fill out our form, and simply upload a copy of your receipt with the link provided below. If you have a recurring expense, those options are available as well.
By doing this, we are able to track how much Alpha Delta Sigma Chapter, family and friends are contributing to that business. This in turn, helps us have better opportunities to build partnerships.