INTERN W/ MRW!

Carl Stafford is the Visionary of MY REGION WINS!. Raised where the Arts played a pivotal role in his social progression, Carl’s journey began with Martial Arts at the age of four under the tutelage of Sensei Rudolph Muhammad (Kyoshi), to collaborating on 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, environmentalist, and even a neighborhood leader, focusing on humanity's issues through 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—MY REGION WINS! has become Carl's rallying cry for change.

2018 Cohort 7 graduate of Center for Neighborhood 

2021 Innovator to Watch by Grinnell College for Noble's BOON AREA 1.

2022 816Day award reciepant

Carl continues to foster collaboration, sustainability, and lasting impact through

MY REGION WINS!