Chiefs legend Will Shields helps open new technology-skills office for young KC adults
Sandee Kastrul said there might be something wrong with the corner of her eyes as she addressed a 30-plus person crowd on Wednesday morning.
But it wasn’t seasonal allergies or some kind of sickness that caused her eyes to tear up. It was a condition she called “absolute joy.”
Kustral is the co-founder and president of the Chicago-based company i.c.stars, an organization that works to help inner-city (i.c.) young adults develop skills largely in technology.
Kustral traveled to Kansas City to celebrate the opening of the company’s newest affiliate location. Board members, employees and friends crowded into the office’s largest room to savor the moment with her.
During the speech, Kustral stood next to Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Chiefs offensive lineman Will Shields, who is a national board member for i.c.stars, and executive director Shamika Hogan, who each addressed the crowd. A few minutes later, the three cut the ribbon to symbolize the office’s official opening.
“This is a long time coming thanks to Will and all the folks who are in this room who have given up their time and their dreams to make this a reality,” Kustral said. “Almost 25 years later, here we are opening up our third city with such a great welcome and such a great community and we’re just so proud to be a part of it.”
After the snip, the crowd applauded, as the company’s four-year journey had finally ended — and in a way, just started.
Although Shields echoed Kustral’s thrill and excitement to describe the organization’s milestone, he’s even more enthusiastic about the future.
Shields’ involvement with the organization began four years ago. He led the expansion after his son’s father-in-law told him about the program, recognizing that “all (the) things they do make a difference.”
Shields said throughout the journey there were days of wondering, “Is this going to work?” or “Am I going to get enough support?” Even so, he quickly realized the trials and tribulations were needed because they forced Shields and those working alongside him to be even more detail-oriented and driven to make the new office a reality.
Now, with the doors opening, he said the next focus is on the future.
“It’ll be even more surreal when we actually have our first group of graduates,” Shield said. “That’s when there’s going to be the point of really saying that you’ve arrived, you’ve done what you needed to do.”
Hogan championed the impact of Shields at i.c.stars, expressing how his heart for the Kansas City community is second-to-none and praising his ability to generate buzz.
But beyond those running the program, there are those who benefit from it.
National board member Kevin Gates, now 37 and a Chicago native, was one of those “young people” who found his calling through the program. He said he went through the program in September of 2000 and it made a real difference for him.
Although he had once dropped out of high school to instead pursue the culinary path, Gates enrolled back into an alternative high school and performed well, leading to a teacher suggesting the Chicago-based program to him.
By demonstrating his passion for business, technology and leadership, Gates secured a job offer and started working at Microsoft at age 20.
Now a “cloud solution architect,” he hasn’t left since.
“It’s everything because before i.c.stars I didn’t even know that web development was a profession or job or passion of mine,” Gates said. “I played Lego a lot as a kid, and when I learned programming I was like, ‘This is like grown-up Lego.’ So I just fell in love.”
When Gates was hired at Microsoft, Kustral said the company didn’t hire people without college degrees, emphasizing how their organization became a catalyst for change.
And that’s what the organization is all about, as she detailed how each student can help 1,000 others down the line.
With the Kansas City office ready to roll, Kustral expressed her excitement toward changing lives and businesses in the city — and becoming a leader in the business sector.
“If i.c.stars can be that quote-unquote dad that knows everybody that will connect you, then that’s what it should be,” Kustral said. “It’s bigger than me, you know. ... It’s now like this team of committed, passionate people making opportunities for others.”
