A growing KC-area city quietly ended its staff diversity and inclusion training

North Kansas City has quietly removed diversity, equity and inclusion training for city employees.

At a City Council meeting last week, Casey Campbell, the city’s human resource manager, revealed that the city did not do DEI training for its staff this year. Such trainings typically provide education about topics like bias, discrimination, cultural differences and inclusive language intended to make a workplace more welcoming.

The comment was made while Campbell was discussing personnel manual updates for the city.

The majority of the council members did not question the change, but one seemed surprised.

“Have we not had DEI training?” Anthony Saper, a council member for Ward 1, asked.

Campbell said the city has done DEI training in the past but did not roll it out this year.

“Okay, and that’s being removed?” asked Saper.

Saper, who seemed to be unaware and confused about the removal of city diversity training, asked if it would be reinstated in the future. Campbell responded and said the department will make a decision on an annual basis.

“We’re not sure how things are going to go with DEI training,” she said. “We figured we’d just review it on an annual basis.”

The change aligns with statewide and national trends. In Missouri, Republican lawmakers have been pushing a yearslong effort to prevent diversity and equity trainings.

In recent years, state lawmakers have targeted diversity initiatives but have failed to pass bills about the issue. Earlier this year, Missouri House Republicans pushed for a bill to ban state agencies from spending money on diversity programs, staff or other initiatives. As of late April, HB 742 was placed on Informal Calendar. However, the bill is not currently on a House calendar.

North Kansas City’s total population has grown by more than 26% since 2020, according to 2024 census data and is home to one of the most diverse school districts in the state.

Kim Nakahodo, the city’s deputy administrator, said North Kansas City’s annual required training — including topics like harassment prevention and workplace safety — also includes important modules on sensitivity and inclusion.

The Star’s Kacen Bayless contributed to this story.