IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
A RESOLUTION honoring the life and legacy of Carrie E. Stapleton.
RESOLUTION NO. 22262, April 29, 2026
INTRODUCED BY Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator
WHEREAS, Carrie was born on October 16, 1953, in Kansas City, Missouri, to John West Stapleton and Audrey June (Stewart) Stapleton; and,
WHEREAS, Carrie Stapleton, a pioneering Kansas City public relations professional, business owner, and tireless community advocate, passed away on April 18, 2026; and,
WHEREAS, for more than four decades, Carrie helped shape how Kansas City told its stories, amplifying community voices, advancing civic initiatives, and building bridges across business, government, and grassroots organizations; and,
WHEREAS, through her firm, Phillips-West Public Relations & Communications, she became one of the region's most respected communications strategists, known for her deep media relationships and unwavering commitment to community impact; and,
WHEREAS, she graduated from Southeast High School in 1972 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Fashion Marketing from Kansas State University in 1976; and,
WHEREAS, Carrie began her career in journalism as a reporter, weekly columnist, and Assistant People Page Editor for The Salina Journal, where she covered features, news, and human-interest stories while also contributing to layout and photography; and,
WHEREAS, Carrie founded Phillips-West Public Relations & Communications in 1988 as a full-service African American/woman-owned public relations, advertising, marketing, and special events firm serving local and national clients; and,
WHEREAS, for more than ten years, Phillips-West served as the public relations firm of record for the Kansas City Power and Light District, the largest entertainment district in Kansas City, responsibilities included public relations, community outreach, elected official relations, special event planning, and the design of newsletter...
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