Volunteer Opportunities

Carl Stafford is a creative visionary and cultural advocate from the west side of District 5 in Kansas City, Missouri. Raised in a community where the Arts played a pivotal role in social progression, Carl’s journey began with martial arts at the age of four, followed by writing a school play in high school. This early exposure to the power of creativity sparked a deep appreciation for Kansas City—a vibrant, evolving metropolitan area brimming with untapped potential.

Carl graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Kansas City Art Institute in 2006, initially aspiring to write movie scripts and become a director. However, his creative path soon took an unexpected turn. He found that the desire to entertain was overshadowed by a deeper calling to serve as an artist, focused on meaningful expression rather than commercial success.

By 2014, Carl envisioned Kansas City as a new cultural epicenter, one that not only embraced creativity but also demonstrated environmental sustainability and innovation. This vision led to the founding of MY REGION WINS! (MRW!)—a creative nonprofit organization—on April 9, 2014. MRW! has since become a rallying cry for local artists and changemakers dedicated to transforming the city's cultural landscape.

Named 2021 Innovator to Watch by Grinnell College  

Through MRW! and his ongoing creative work, Carl continues to shape the narrative of Kansas City’s cultural renaissance, fostering collaboration, sustainability, and a lasting impact on future generations of artists.