Meet the Team

Luke Bobo

Board Chair

Luke Bobo

Board Chair

Luke B. Bobo, PhD likes to say that he grew up in two houses – one on the Kansas City, Kansas side (near 5th and Quindaro) and one on the Kansas City, Missouri side (near 69th and the Paseo). Luke has served as board chair of several organizations including the Center for Bioethics and Culture (St. Louis, MO) and recently for the Carver Baptist Bible College, Institute & Theological Seminary (Kansas City, MO); and he has served on several boards including the National Kansas University Alumni Association Board, HustlePHX, Center for Public Justice, and the Theology of Work Project. Luke is co-owner and co-founder of Pursuing the Greater Good, LLC; and he has written several books and articles. And he has done community development workshops. Luke is married to Dr. Rita Holmes-Bobo, and they have two adult children, Briana Amber Bobo and Dr. Caleb Avery Bobo (Sabrina). He enjoys traveling, reading, yard work, innovating with and mentoring young people, teaching, speaking, and writing.

Tonya Love

Treasurer

Tonya Love

Treasurer

Tonya Love is a Mortgage Loan Originator (NMLS #1965792) and is licensed in Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, and Texas. Tonya is known for her education-forward approach that helps clients feel prepared at every step of the home financing process. As a Certified HUD Housing Counselor, she supports buyers and homeowners with budgeting, readiness, and understanding the practical responsibilities of homeownership.

Tonya is a native of Kansas City, Kansas, raised in Wyandotte County. She attended Quindaro Elementary, Northwest Middle School, and graduated from Sumner Academy. She spent 18 years in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Metropolitan State University, before returning home five years ago. Tonya is passionate about strengthening opportunity in Wyandotte County and is proud to support the organization’s mission through responsible financial stewardship and community commitment.

Stevie Wakes

Board Member

Stevie Wakes

Board Member

Rev. Stevie Anthony Wakes, Sr. was born in Topeka, Kansas and moved to Kansas City, Kansas. He earned a bachelor’s degree in religion, a Master of Divinity degree, a bachelor’s degree in Spanish education, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas. Stevie is the Senior Pastor of the Olivet Institutional Baptist Church. He taught Spanish in both the Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri public schools. He works for the Unified Government’s Office of the District Attorney as a Legal Specialist and serves on the Kansas City, Kansas Board of Public Utilities.

Adia Rice

Board Member

Adia Rice

Board Member

Adia Rice was raised by her parents in Johnson County, Kansas and by her church community in Wyandotte County, Kansas. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship. Adia is a registered representative with Primerica Financial Services, holding her Series 6 and Series 63 licenses in Kansas and Missouri. She enjoys learning new things, working with numbers, reading, going to the movies, and taking outdoor walks. She has a passion for finding ways to be creative and helping when and where she can. Adia is a member of the trustee board at her church and a volunteer with Lead to Read KC.

Rosie Rodriguez

Board Member

Rosie Rodriguez

Board Member

When Rosie is not changing lives, she is spending time with her two wonderful children, Sebastian and Grecia. Rosie loves watching romantic comedies, cracking jokes, and cheering on her beloved Kansas Jayhawks. Rock Chalk! Rosie started in Education by advocating for migrant families in Kansas City Kansas Public Schools. She later took on the district's Truancy Program and gave it a major glow-up by rebranding it as Attend to Achieve (A2A) and helped countless students overcome barriers to stay in school and thrive. Rosie continued her mission in the Kansas City Public Schools as a clinician, supporting newcomer, refugee, and migrant families. As our Program Director of Avenue of Life, Rosie continues her mission of breaking the cycle of poverty through empowerment, education, and community support.

Wyandotte Innovations Initiative, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to strengthening community through innovative programs, partnerships, and resources that promote wellbeing across all stages of life.

We are currently only accepting donations from Kansas and Missouri Residents.

P. O. Box 171461
Kansas City, KS 66117

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