Greater Kansas City Chapter

To the distinguished members, partners, supporters, and future members of the Association of Black Women in Higher Education – Greater Kansas City Chapter;

It is with profound gratitude, purpose, and a deep commitment to the advancement of Black Women in higher education, that I am honored to serve as President of ABWHE–GKC for the 2026-2028 term.

This role is both an honor and a charge, carrying a legacy shaped by the brilliance, resilience, and transformative leadership of Black Women whose presence continues to redefine and elevate the academic landscape.

As I begin this term, I anchor our chapter firmly in the mission that guides ABWHE nationally and locally:

To promote the intellectual growth and educational development of Black Women in higher education
To seek to eliminate racism, sexism, classism, and all social barriers that hinder Black Women from achieving their human potential
To communicate and preserve the history, achievements, and contributions of Black Women in higher education
To provide academic and social mentoring for Black youth, ensuring a future generation of Black scholars and leaders
To utilize our collective talents, strengths, and expertise to advance a vision of social justice

These pillars will shape every initiative, partnership, and program we advance during this administration.

As President, my commitment is to lead with intention, strategy, and a deep reverence for the women who make this chapter extraordinary. Together, we will:

Elevate Intellectual Leadership — expanding opportunities for scholarship, research, and professional development.
Advance Equity & Justice — confronting systemic barriers with courage, clarity, and collective action.
Preserve Our Legacy — documenting and celebrating the stories, achievements, and impact of Black Women in higher education.
Strengthen Mentorship Pathways — cultivating the next generation of Black scholars through intentional academic and social support.
Build a Thriving Sisterhood — fostering connection, affirmation, and community among our members.

This next chapter for ABWHE–GKC will continue to build upon the excellence, innovation, and collective empowerment upon which our chapter was chartered. Thank you, Dr. Kimberly Johnson, for your leadership and for setting an outstanding example for us all.

Our work is not only necessary, it is urgent. And together, we will continue to ensure that Black Women in higher education are seen, supported, and positioned to thrive.

Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your unwavering commitment to this mission. I look forward to leading with clarity, compassion, and conviction as we build a future worthy of the women we serve.

With gratitude and purpose,

Jameilla J. Robinson‑Frazier, MBA
President, ABWHE–GKC

Chapter Leadership

GKC Pres 2026-2028 Jameilla Robinson.jpg

Jameilla Robinson-Frazier

President 2026-2028

Executive Committee Chair 2026-2028

Jameilla J. Robinson‑Frazier, MBA, is an accomplished executive operating at the intersection of law, entrepreneurship, and social impact, recognized for architecting systems that expand access, strengthen communities, and accelerate economic mobility.

She serves as the Director of Education for the Business Mastery Institute, the national training division of The Black MasterMind Group™, where she leads curriculum strategy, instructional design, and entrepreneurial capacity‑building for founders across the country.

Within the Association of Black Women in Higher Education — Greater Kansas City Chapter (ABWHE–GKC), Jameilla’s leadership is anchored in a robust foundation of service, including past roles as Vice President, Interim Treasurer, Financial Affairs Committee Chair, Financial Secretary, Programs Chair, and Founding Officer. Across these roles, she strengthened the chapter’s operational infrastructure, expanded programming, and positioned ABWHE–GKC for sustained institutional growth.

Beyond ABWHE-GKC, Jameilla holds multiple civic and executive roles across the Kansas City region. Her work reflects a mission centered on building equitable systems, empowering entrepreneurs, and advancing pathways that support academic achievement, professional development, and long‑term success for all, especially Black Women.

Whitney Vaughn

Vice President 2026-2028

Whitney Vaughn joined the UMKC, Henry W. Bloch School of Management staff as the Launchpad Program Director September 2023. She oversees all aspects of the
Bloch Launchpad Scholarship which is a scholarship and professional development program for undergraduate business students. The Launchpad program is a premier business leadership program where students have access to leaders and mentors in the Kansas City area to help build their network, they are able to visit Kansas City’s top companies to get their foot in the door early and be a part of a community of like-minded students who will become lifelong friends. She believes in developing effective LEADERS to enrich the lives of the people and communities we serve.

Whitney has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Missouri State University , a master’s degree in higher education management from National American University and is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in higher education administration at the University of Kansas. She uses her 16 years of higher education experience to lead future business leaders to achieve their career goals from day one.

Latoya Woods

Treasurer 2026-2028

Financial Affairs Committee Chair 2026-2028

Membership Committee Co-Chair 2026-2028

Latoya joined ABWHE as a novice professor in 2019 with the initial goal of engaging in mentorship opportunities. She is passionate about networking and collaboration for personal and professional growth. She continues to serve others by assisting them to improve their overall wellbeing in her practice as a family nurse practitioner.

Tracey Hughes

Secretary 2026-2028

Interim Financial Secretary 2026

Membership Committee Co-Chair 2026-present

Tracey Hughes is a Teaching & Learning Librarian and the Director of Inclusive Engagement for the University Libraries at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She has several years of experience as Secretary of the Librarians’ Council faculty governance group at UMKC. She is also a reviewer for CHOICE Reviews Online, a leading resource in academic librarianship that provides book and database reviews. As a founding member of ABWHE-GKC (2024), Tracey coordinated the chapter's initial election for inaugural officers and helped to develop GKC's Bylaws.

Tracey is also a member of ABWHE National's Bylaws Committee, and she provides website editing duties for ABWHE's national website and chapter web pages. She previously served as Web Editor for the Midcontinental Chapter of the Medical Library Association (MCMLA), and from 2017-2024 she skated, officiated, and volunteered in numerous roles with the Kansas City Roller Warriors flat-track roller derby league, with most recent service as Chair of KCRW’s Board of Directors. In recognition of her contributions, KCRW honored Tracey as the namesake and first awardee of their annual Heart of KCRW Award in 2024.

Since 2011, Tracey has helped to organize and host the University Libraries’ annual African American Read-In, a celebration founded by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) in 1989. In her spare time, Tracey enjoys tracing her family tree, and she contributed a chapter for the upcoming edited work Documenting Family Information and Life Histories: Transnational Perspectives (Routledge; publication pending).

Dr. Kimberly D. Johnson

Immediate Past President

College Student Engagement Committee Chair 2026-2028

Dr. Kimberly D. Johnson is an educational leader with a passion for mentoring, leadership development, professional growth, and advocacy for women of color. She serves as Senior Program Manager in the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs at the University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC). She also serves as Program Director for the AmeriCorps Lift As You Climb program, which provides peer mentoring opportunities for students while engaging mentors in meaningful civic engagement.

Prior to her current role, Dr. Johnson served as Director of Special Projects and Executive Assistant to the Chancellor at UMKC. She also holds an adjunct appointment at UMKC’s School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences.

Dr. Johnson joined ABWHE in 2019 and previously served as the organization’s National Secretary. She is a charter member of both ABWHE’s Virtual Chapter and Greater Kansas City Chapter and served as the inaugural President of Greater Kansas City. At the national level, she contributes to the organization through her work on the Conference Planning Committee and Chapter Development Committee.

Committed to community service, Dr. Johnson serves on several boards including America’s Big Sisters Foundation (Programming Chair) and The Kansas City Boys Choir & The Kansas City Girls Choir (Vice President). She is also a member of the Greater Kansas City Chapter of Societas Docta, Inc., an organization dedicated to mentoring African American women pursuing doctoral degrees. Johnson is also a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Delta Eta Sigma Chapter, where she serves as Parliamentarian. Additionally, she serves as Correspondence Secretary for the Sigma Golden Rhoyalty Legacy Foundation.

Dr. Johnson holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education Administration, an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree, a Master of Arts in Education, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, all from the University of Missouri–Kansas City.

Committee Chairs

Open

Communications Committee Chair

A Chair for this committee will be determined shortly.

Dr. Lover Chancler

Kansas City Chapter

Nominations & Elections Committee Chair 2024-present

Dr. Chancler is the Director of the Center for Multiculturalism and Inclusivity and an Adjunct Associate professor at the University of Central Missouri in the Human Development and Family Science Department. She is the Principal Investigator for the University’s SIP Title III grant. Co-Author of Culture Diversity in Family Life Education 1st and 2nd ed. Cognella, Inc. Dr. Chancler received her PhD in Human Ecology with a specialization in Family Studies from Kansas State University. She is also the owner of Role Model Consulting, LLC., a holistic look at DEI and effective communication and implementation of initiatives. Role Model Consulting LLC provides training using a holistic approach in tailored cultural climate change, effective communication and out of the box solutions to organizations, schools, universities, and businesses.

Dr. Jennifer Malone

Kansas City Chapter

Programs Committee Chair 2025-present

Dr. Jennifer Malone has been an educator for 38 years. She spent 18 years as a K-12 classroom special education teacher and an additional 18 years as a K-12 principal. She spent two years in the central office as an executive director and as an assistant of student services. Her tenure includes the Kansas City Missouri public school district, Kansas City Kansas district, Topeka public schools, and Center schools. Dr. Malone served as an adjunct professor for 16 years at two different universities before becoming a full time assistant professor at Missouri Western State University in the Department of Education. Dr. Malone’s scholarship encompasses the shortage of Black teachers serving special education students, dismantling the self-fulfilling prophecy encroached upon students of color, uncovering the disparities of the graduate records exam concerning Black women, best instructional practices in higher education classrooms, tackling the achievement gap, and best instructional practices for special education classrooms. Dr. Malone is a member of Council for Exceptional Children, Black Women in Higher Education, Learning for Justice, and Black Doctors in Higher Education. She is a proud, lifetime member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and is active in the Xi Tau Omega chapter in Grandview, Missouri. In addition she serves on the board for Bridge Leadership Academy.