Our theme for April is EMBER. It was chosen by our Poulsbo chapter in Washington and illustrated by Sarah Gordon.

The literal meaning of ember is a small piece of burning or glowing coal or wood in a dying fire. But as a metaphor, it means so much more.

Our Poulsbo chapter had this to say about the significance of this month's theme:

“Embers represent the quiet, enduring remnants of fire—what remains after the intensity fades. They carry a smoldering potential, a subtle strength that holds heat long after the flames have gone. As a quieter community outside the city, we may not always burn the brightest, but we never burn out. Our spark lives in reflection, resilience, and the space we have to pause, think, and grow.

In those calm moments, we find what many others miss: the steady glow of ideas, relationships, and dreams that don’t need noise to thrive. Embers remind us that even after challenges or change, something powerful remains—ready to reignite when needed. We hold that same quiet fire within ourselves, and in community with each other, we kindle more.

Together, we tend the quiet fire—fueling one another through presence, care, and shared warmth.”

Watch this video from our Poulsbo chapter for more on what ember means to them.

What ember is quietly glowing inside you? And what new fire will it ignite in your life?

Ever wonder who set up those chairs at 7:45 AM? Or who managed to get the videographer for our talk?

Spoiler alert: It’s not a specialized events team flown in from headquarters. It’s us. And by "us," we mean a ragtag, high-energy, caffeine-fueled group of Kansas City creatives who believe that community is worth waking up early for.

CreativeMornings Kansas City is 100% volunteer-run. From the person greeting you at the door with a smile to the one editing the talk replays you share later that week, everyone is here because they love this city and the people who make it beautiful.

Why We Do It (And Why You Should Too)

We don’t do it for the paycheck (mostly because there isn't one). We do it for the "afterglow." There is a specific kind of magic that happens when you help build a space where people feel inspired, seen, and connected.

Plus, the perks aren't bad:

• First dibs on the coffee. (Crucial.)
• Behind-the-scenes access to the best creative spaces in KC.
• A "creative family" that has your back.
• The "I helped make that" feeling when the room starts buzzing.

We’re Looking for Our Next Co-Conspirators

Whether you have two hours a month or want to dive into the deep end, we have a spot for you. We’re currently looking for help with:

Partnerships & Breakfast: Minister of Donors & Donuts - you would be the bridge between our vision and the resources that make it real, by scouting sponsors and coordinating vendor logistics, and nurturing relationships that keep our community thriving.

Ready to Join the Crew?

You don’t need a fancy resume or a specific title. You just need to show up and care. If you want to help keep the creative heartbeat of Kansas City thumping, we want to meet you.

👉 Drop us an email at kansascity@creativemornings.com, DM us, or find one of us a CM lanyard at the next talk.

Let’s build the next morning, together.

Our theme for March is LOCAL. It was chosen by our Santos chapter in Brazil and illustrated by Simone Matias.

Our Santos chapter had this to say about the significance of this month's theme:

“We are proud to be from Santos. The feeling of loving the city but sometimes moving away. The benefits of belonging somewhere.”

Watch this video from our Santos chapter for more on what local means to them.

So, how does where you’re from define who you are? How do different spaces foster that sense of connection? How can we develop and strengthen bonds with the people around us?

It’s time to remind ourselves that community happens in neighborhoods not just on screens.

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCMWHR

EN ESPAÑOL

Entonces, ¿cómo te define el lugar de donde vienes? ¿Cómo los diferentes espacios ayudan a crear ese sentido de conexión? ¿Cómo podemos crear y fortalecer los lazos con las personas que tenemos alrededor?

Es momento de recordarnos que la comunidad se construye en los barrios, n osolo en las pantallas.

Help us keep the coffee brewing and the ideas flowing.

Since we’re currently in that sweet spot between our last big "aha!" moment and the next shot of inspiration, it’s the perfect time to check under the hood.

CreativeMornings is a community-powered engine, and honestly? We need your spark to keep the coffee brewing and the ideas flowing. Here’s how you can jump in and help us keep the momentum high:

🎤 Pass the Mic: We Need Your Speaker Leads

Know someone who’s doing something world-shaking right here in our backyard? Maybe they’re a quiet genius, a loud advocate, or a creative who’s mastered the art of the "pivot," we want to hear about them.

Slide into our DMs or email us with your "must-hear" speaker nominations!

☕️ Fuel the Magic: Become a Sponsor

Let’s be real: the "free" in "free morning coffee" doesn't happen by magic. We’re looking for local partners who want to support the creative heartbeat of this city. If your business loves community, creativity, and being the reason people are caffeinated and inspired on a Friday morning, let’s talk shop.

Know a business that’s a perfect fit? Connect us and be our hero.

👟 Walk the Walk (and Talk the Talk)

The magic of CreativeMornings doesn’t end when the last chair is folded. Here is your "in-between" homework:

Share the Love: Did a quote from a recent talk hit you in the feelings? Post it! Tag us!

Bring a Friend, Make a Friend: This is our golden rule. Next time we gather, grab that coworker who needs a boost or the neighbor you’ve been meaning to chat with. The creative path is always better when you aren't walking it alone.

Stay curious, stay inspired, and keep your eyes on your inbox for our next theme announcement. We’ll see you soon!

Loop us in on any of the above at kansascity@creativemornings.com or DM the KC crew on Instagram at cm_kansascity.

Our theme for February is CAMINO. It was chosen by our Oviedo chapter in Asturias, Spain and illustrated by Marta Vila.

Camino (pronounced Kah-Mee-Noh) is a Spanish word meaning “path” or “way.”

Our Oviedo chapter had this to say about the significance of this month's theme:

"It’s inspired by the centuries-old pilgrimage of the Camino de Santiago, which passes through our region in Asturias and has been a symbol of journey, discovery, and transformation for generations.”

Watch this video from our Oviedo chapter for more on what camino means to them.

So, what path are you on? If you’re feeling stuck, try moving your body to unlock your brain. Talk a walk, doodle, or sing. Soon, the way will reveal itself. And if you are feeling overwhelmed, slow down and focus on your next step.

You don’t have to know exactly where your path leads, just trust that you’ll learn what you need along the way. Wherever you are headed, we wish you, as they say in Oviedo, “buen camino.” May you have a safe and meaningful journey.

With a new year comes new goals. We’ve assembled a fabulous team to help bring our mucho creative Kansas City community some powerful, memorable, and intentional events.

This true “middle of the map” city has got a ton of quality creative and creative-adjacent peeps, y’all!

New to Creative Mornings Kansas City? The small and mighty Kansas City crew welcomes you! We hope you discover your new network. For long-time attendees, thanks for hanging with us.

Tools for a more CMKC morning:
•Newsletter
•Instagram
•Convince The Boss

Feeling like being a part of the Friday fun and wanting to contribute your brand of energy to the creative community?
Jump on it and give us a shout!

Because everyone is creative.