Dina Newman – 2023 John Kaiahua Mentorship Award Winner

In 2017, after the passing of one of KC’s most beloved organic farmers, the John Kaiahua Mentorship Award was created. In conjuction with the Annual Farmers & Friends Meeting, the award is presented to growers and community leaders in our region who exemplify John’s finest qualities: mentorship and inspiration.

We’re thrilled that the 2023 John Kaiahua Mentorship Award was presented to our friend, Dina Newman.

Mike Rollen presented the 2023 award to Dina Newman.

Dina Newman served as the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council’s Health Initiatives Manager and Advocate for Change from 2010 to 2016. It was through innovative visioning and project management that the Grown in Ivanhoe Project, a local and nationally acclaimed healthy food access project, was developed. She is also the co-founder of Kansas City Black Urban Growers (KCBUGs).

As a member of The Food Policy Coalition of Greater Kansas City, Cultivate KC’s Program Committee, and a grant reviewer for the Get Farming Mini Grant program, Dina is well known and respected in the urban agriculture community. With over 25 years of community engagement experience, business management, and project-based development, Dina was hired in 2016 as the first Director of the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Center for Neighborhoods, where she continues to mentor neighborhood leaders and advocate for thriving communities.

Thank you Dina for your commitment to and leadership in our community. We are honored to know and work along side you!