Nonprofit Leadership & Community Engagement

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill

Adrienne is highly engaged in her community and she is honored to participate in the leadership of the following nonprofit organizations:

Construction Business Institute

Adrienne founded the Construction Business Institute to connect contractors to timely, practical business education from industry experts. CBI offers monthly business education, networking opportunities, and resources for residential and commercial construction contractors. Adrienne’s introduction to construction began in 2011 when she ran an exterior house painting company while in law school and her experience deepened with the program design and management of the Blue Hills Contractor Incubator, the nation’s only construction specific incubator. Through CBI, she works with a talented advisory board of contractors and partners to ensure that the programming and coaching is contractor-driven.

Multicultural Business Coalition

The Multicultural Business Coalition, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was first established in 2015 in Kansas City, Missouri. The purpose of MBC is to connect, encourage, and provide resources for a strong multicultural business ecosystem. To do so, we convene individuals and organizations that represent the diverse cultures, ethnicities, and genders within our communities and economy.

Our model and focus allows us to: 

  • Provide a consistent forum for communication and collaboration for organizations that serve a significant portion of multicultural business owners
  • Contribute to an increase in the engagement and recognition of diverse-owned businesses
  • Conduct and produce research and data on multicultural business trends

Since inception, the Coalition has grown in membership and geographic reach, now connecting a network of entrepreneurs, resource partners, and professionals across the country. 

Visit the MBC Network website here

View the MBC Newsletter Archives

Black Female Attorneys

The Black Female Attorneys Network, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Kansas City, Missouri.  The purpose of our Network is to promote personal and professional relationships in the Black legal community, to foster and encourage professional competence and continuing education, and to provide opportunities for service and philanthropy among Black attorneys and legal professionals.

The Network was first organized in 2006 in Kansas City, Missouri. The inception was led by Black legal professionals who wanted to connect African American attorneys in Missouri and Kansas, regardless of practice area. Since then, the Network has formalized and been recognized as a national nonprofit organization with a network of hundreds of women across the country. 

Visit the BFA Network website here

Nonprofit Board of Directors & Volunteer Service

  • UMKC Center for Law, Entrepreneurship & Innovation Advisory Board, December 2023
  • The Regnier Family Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City Board Member, January 2023
  • Buena Vista University Students of Diverse Populations Alumni Board of Directors, Board Member, Jul 2022- Present
  • City of Kansas City, MO Emerging Technology Board, Board Chair, Oct 2021 – Present
  • Global Entrepreneurship Week, Missouri State Coordinator, April 2020- Present
  • UMKC Women’s Council, Board Member, Jul 2019 – Jun 2020
  • The Builders’ Association Advancing Diversity Committee, 2018-2020
  • Linwood YMCA Community Mission Board, 2018-2019
  • Kansas City Startup Foundation Board of Directors, 2017-2019
  • Judge for the Top Ten Business Woman of ABWA, 2017
  • The Missouri Bar Journal of the Missouri Bar, Editorial Board Member, May 2017 – May 2021
  • Front Porch Alliance Kansas City, Advisory Board & Governance Committee Member, Feb 2017 – Feb 2018
  • KU Entrepreneurship Club, Community Advisor, Aug 2016 – May 2017
  • Buena Vista University National Alumni Association Board of Directors, Board Member, Jul 2016 – Jun 2022 (two terms)
  • Construction Business Institute, Founder & Board President, Jan 2016 – Present
  • Kansas City TaskForce on Innovation in Education, organized by the Kauffman Foundation, 2015-2017
  • Global Entrepreneurship Week, Special Audiences and Community Outreach subcommittees, 2015-2018
  • Black Female Attorneys Network, Inc. President, Oct 2015 – Present
  • The Multicultural Business Coalition, Inc. Founder & Board President, Jun 2015 – Present
  • Girls to Queens, Board Member and Legal Chair, Jan 2014 – Jul 2016
  • Network Of Women, Legal Lead and Curriculum Development, Nov 2013 – Jul 2016
  • Board Member, Awesome Ambitions, Jan 2012 – Jan 2014
  • Kansas Women’s Business Council Mentor, 2012-2013
  • Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, 2010-present (member)
  • Jackson County Bar Association, 2010-present (member)

Education for Service

  • Law School: Black Law Students Association (Member, Treasurer, President); Student Bar Association (Student Representative, Community Service Chair) ; Brief Notes Law School Choir, Emissary for the Office of Admissions (Recruitment Chair); Faculty Committees: Inclusion & Empowerment, Urban & Community Engagement; Barbri Bar Prep (Student Representative, Head Representative), Entrepreneurial Legal Services Clinic (2012)
  • Collegiate: Women of Color (Member, President, Student Advisor); Women of Courage High School Mentoring Program (Co-founder); Dance Team (Choreographer, Captain); Voices of Praise Gospel Choir (Member, President); Aspiring Professionals of America (Founder); The Collaboration Student Organization Newsletter (Creator & Managing Editor); Office of Intercultural Programs (Programs & Events Coordinator); Student M.O.V.E. (Mobilizing Outreach Volunteer Efforts) (Student Organization Liaison); Student Activities Board (Intercultural Programs Liaison); AWOL Spring Break Service Trip, Mexico (March 2008), AmeriCorp volunteer