Meet the UCC Team

Jessica Bentley-Johnson is the Founder and Executive Director of Urban Community Connections (UCC). Since founding the organization in 2013, Jessica has led the development of an innovative resource recovery and community connection model that bridges the gap between surplus resources and community needs. Under her leadership, UCC has grown from a grassroots initiative into a regional nonprofit network that collaborates with corporations, school districts, healthcare organizations, foundations, government agencies, and community partners to increase access to essential resources while reducing waste and maximizing community impact.

Jessica's passion for service is rooted in both personal experience and a deep commitment to equity. Following her Lupus diagnosis, she gained firsthand insight into the challenges many communities face when navigating unexpected life circumstances. Rather than allowing those challenges to define her future, she transformed them into purpose, building an organization focused on ensuring that communities have access not only to vital resources, but also to opportunities that foster stability, confidence, and long term success.

Today, Jessica is recognized for her leadership in resource recovery, community engagement, volunteer mobilization, and collaborative partnership development. Her work extends beyond traditional service delivery by creating pathways for individuals to become active contributors within their communities.

She is especially passionate about developing inclusive opportunities for emerging youth leaders, women reentering the workforce, new and single mothers seeking economic stability, retirees looking for renewed purpose through volunteerism, and individuals with differing abilities whose talents and contributions are often overlooked. Through workforce development initiatives, leadership training, mentorship opportunities, and volunteer engagement programs, Jessica has helped create spaces where individuals are empowered to grow, lead, and thrive.

Under her leadership, Urban Community Connections continues to demonstrate how strategic partnerships, volunteerism, and community centered innovation can generate measurable outcomes while strengthening the social fabric of the communities it serves. Jessica's leadership philosophy remains rooted in a guiding principle that has shaped UCC since its inception: "Exponential Results Through Exceptional Connections."

Through every partnership established, resource recovered, volunteer engaged, and life impacted, Jessica remains committed to building a future where resources are maximized, opportunities are expanded, and every individual has the ability to reach their full potential.

Kristasha Chey serves as Programs Director for Urban Community Connections, where she facilitates the implementation of key community based initiatives designed to increase access to resources, strengthen communities, and create pathways to opportunity.

A Kansas City native with a lifelong passion for service, Kristasha brings more than a decade of experience in program development, participant engagement, and community centered leadership. Her professional journey began with a commitment to improving the quality of life for others, a calling that led her to serve as Programs Director for Assisted Living at Senior Star at Villa Ventura. In that role, she successfully designed and implemented programs that promoted social connection, personal enrichment, and overall well-being for senior residents, earning recognition for her creativity, compassion, and leadership.

At Urban Community Connections, Kristasha plays a critical role in translating organizational vision into measurable community impact. She oversees participant engagement strategies and workforce development initiatives that connect individuals and families to essential resources while fostering long term stability and self sufficiency.

Kristasha is especially passionate about creating supportive pathways for individuals navigating life transitions. As a mother who stepped away from the workforce to focus on raising her daughter, she understands firsthand the challenges many parents face when seeking to reenter the workforce while balancing family responsibilities. Her personal journey has strengthened her commitment to developing programs that empower women, caregivers, emerging leaders, and underserved populations with the tools, confidence, and opportunities needed to thrive.

A key component of Kristasha's leadership includes overseeing Urban Community Connections' Emerging Leaders Development Program, where she provides mentorship and workforce readiness support to young adults preparing for future careers. Through her leadership, participants gain valuable experience in nonprofit operations, community engagement, leadership development, and professional skill building.

Known for her compassion and people centered leadership style, Kristasha believes that sustainable community impact begins by investing in people. Her ability to build meaningful relationships, cultivate inclusive environments, and inspire growth among participants, volunteers, and team members continues to strengthen UCC's capacity to serve communities throughout the Kansas City region.

Bermisha Newsom is a creative entrepreneur, visual storyteller, and owner of Designed Through Me, a growing photography and branding company dedicated to helping individuals, organizations, and businesses bring their stories to life through impactful visual media.

As Urban Community Connections' Media Coordinator and Merchandise Director, Bermisha plays a vital role in shaping and elevating the organization's public presence, brand identity, and community engagement efforts. Through her unique blend of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial expertise, she helps transform UCC's mission into compelling visual narratives that inspire volunteers, engage donors, attract community partners, and showcase measurable impact. 

Bermisha leads the development of UCC's photography, content creation, event media coverage, promotional campaigns, and visual storytelling initiatives. Her ability to capture authentic moments of connection, service, and transformation helps demonstrate the real world impact of UCC's programs while strengthening relationships with funders, sponsors, and community stakeholders.

In addition to her media leadership role, Bermisha serves as UCC's Merchandise Director, overseeing the design, development, and expansion of branded merchandise that increases organizational visibility, strengthens community engagement, and creates opportunities for mission driven fundraising. From volunteer apparel and event merchandise to branded promotional materials, she helps ensure that every item reflects the professionalism, quality, and values of the Urban Community Connections brand. 

Beyond her technical skills and creative talents, Bermisha is deeply committed to using her gifts to serve others. She believes that every photograph, design, and story has the power to inspire action, build connections, and highlight the dignity and resilience of the individuals and families UCC serves.

Through her leadership, creativity, and passion for community impact, Bermisha helps ensure that Urban Community Connections' story is not only told, but experienced, remembered, and shared. Her work continues to strengthen UCC's ability to engage supporters, celebrate successes, and inspire collective action toward building stronger, healthier, and more connected communities.

Roy Williams III is an emerging community leader whose commitment to service, personal growth, and uplifting others exemplifies the mission and values of Urban Community Connections.

Driven by a genuine passion for helping people and creating positive change, Roy has distinguished himself through his willingness to serve wherever needed, whether supporting resource recovery operations, assisting families during community distributions, engaging with volunteers, or contributing to large-scale outreach initiatives. His dedication reflects a deep understanding that meaningful community impact begins with compassion, consistency, and a willingness to lead through action.

As a participant in the Emerging Leaders Development Internship Program, Roy is receiving specialized training to become Urban Community Connections' future Warehouse Coordinator, a critical leadership role within the organization's Resource Rescue Network. Through this structured workforce development pathway, he is gaining hands-on experience in warehouse operations, inventory management, resource recovery logistics, volunteer coordination, distribution planning, safety procedures, and community engagement.  This training provides Roy with real world leadership experience while helping ensure the efficient movement of thousands of pounds of rescued resources from corporate and community partners into the hands of families in need.

What sets Roy apart is his servant heart approach to leadership. He consistently demonstrates empathy, professionalism, accountability, and a strong desire to make a difference in the lives of others. Whether assisting a family accessing essential resources, supporting fellow team members, coordinating volunteer efforts, or helping manage resource distributions, Roy approaches every opportunity with integrity, respect, and a commitment to excellence. Roy represents the type of young leader communities need, one who understands the importance of service, values collaboration, and is dedicated to creating pathways of opportunity for others. His continued growth through the Emerging Leaders Development Program demonstrates the transformative impact of investing in young adults through mentorship, workforce development, and leadership training.

As he continues his journey toward becoming UCC's Warehouse Coordinator, Roy is building the skills, experience, and confidence necessary to lead complex operations that strengthen communities, reduce waste, maximize resources, and create lasting impact. His story reflects Urban Community Connections' belief that when young leaders are equipped with opportunity, mentorship, and purpose, they become powerful agents of change for the communities they serve.