Kansas City, MO – September 18, 2025 – i.c.stars Kansas City, in collaboration with the Center for Practical Bioethics, has been awarded a Capacity Building grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to develop a new learning pathway focused on ethical Artificial Intelligence (AI). This initiative will equip adults—overlooked in traditional tech pipelines—with the skills and awareness needed to thrive in an AI-driven economy.

“Developing our AI programming strengthens our workforce development model and expands access for our participants,” said Karin Norington-Reaves, CEO of i.c.stars. “We are deeply grateful to the Kauffman Foundation for investing in this vision.”

The grant will enable i.c.stars Kansas City to:

• Launch a specialized ethical AI curriculum for its learners and program graduates
• Build internal staff capacity through a “train the trainer” model
• Pilot new support structures for program alumni navigating evolving tech landscapes

This investment aligns with i.c.stars Kansas City’s mission to connect potential with opportunity—finding, training, and launching underestimated talent into technology careers. Together with the Center for Practical Bioethics, the program aims to transform individuals, businesses, and communities across the Kansas City region.

“As remarkable technologies like AI continue to emerge, the Center is focused on human impact”, said James Stowe, PhD, President and CEO, The Center for Practical Bioethics. “i.c.stars is wise to build ethical AI competencies into their programming structure and content. By building internal staff capacity through training, i.c.stars ensures enduring awareness as new tools become available and common. We all want to remain people- and community-centered as advanced technologies permeate the workplace and future work opportunities.”

About i.c.stars:
i.c.stars is a transformative initiative that empowers underserved adults through a comprehensive two-year tech and leadership program. Combining 14 weeks of intensive training with a 24-month residency, the program supports participants with stipends and essential services to ensure their success. Through strategic collaborations with leading corporations and a robust social enterprise arm, i.c.stars not only breaks the cycle of poverty but also drives significant economic growth within communities. The program successfully secures training-related employment for 85% of its graduates within six months while fostering vibrant tech ecosystems and providing a vital talent pipeline to the industry. For more information, visit icstars.org

About the Center for Practical Bioethics:
The Kansas City-based Center’s mission is to raise and respond to ethical issues in health and healthcare. We are a trusted provider of ethics education and consultation services and a resource for responsible development and implementation of AI in healthcare.

Media Contact
i.c.stars Elizabeth Ferruelo, eferruelo@icstars.org 312-487-2208