Kansas City, MO · Est. 2021
Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders & Entrepreneurs
Irene's Angels Foundation invests in underserved youth and young adults of color in Kansas City's urban core — providing the tools, mentorship, and opportunities to build futures they're proud of.
Our Mission
Building Futures, One Youth at a Time
Irene's Angels Foundation was born from a grandmother's love and a granddaughter's promise. We exist to ensure that every young person in Kansas City's urban core — regardless of their zip code or background — has access to the tools, mentorship, and community they need to thrive.
Our vision is a Kansas City where the next generation of Black and brown entrepreneurs, leaders, and changemakers have every opportunity to build the lives they deserve — and the generational wealth to sustain them.
About the Founder
Carrying Irene's Legacy Forward
Letisha founded Irene's Angels Foundation in honor of her grandmother, Irene — a woman whose unwavering belief in the potential of every young person she met left an indelible mark on her community.
Growing up in Kansas City's urban core, Letisha witnessed firsthand the barriers that keep talented, driven young people from reaching their full potential. She made a promise: to build the organization her grandmother would have been proud of — one that meets youth where they are and walks with them toward where they're going.
"Letisha feels that, 'Every child is an angel waiting to find their wings.' This foundation is how we help them fly."
What We Offer
Five Programs, One Mission
Entrepreneurial Training
Hands-on workshops that teach youth how to identify opportunities, build business plans, and launch ventures — from idea to execution.
Mentorship
One-on-one and group mentorship with professionals and community leaders who invest their time, wisdom, and networks in the next generation.
Financial Literacy
Real-world money skills: budgeting, saving, credit, investing, and building generational wealth — taught in a language that resonates.
Leadership Development
Programs that build confidence, communication, and character — equipping young people to lead in their communities and beyond.
College Readiness
Guidance through applications, financial aid, and the transition to higher education — so every student has a real shot at their future.
A Message to Our Community
We See You. We're Here.
To every young person in Kansas City's urban core who has ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or unsure of what comes next — Irene's Angels Foundation was built for you. Not for a statistic. Not for a grant report. For you.
We are just getting started. Families have trusted us with their most precious gift — their children — and we do not take that lightly. Every program we run, every mentor we place, every door we open is a promise: we will show up for this community the same way Irene showed up for everyone she ever met. With love. With consistency. With everything we have.
Why IAF Matters
Four reasons to believe in what we're building together
Every Youth Deserves a Champion
We believe no young person should navigate life without someone in their corner. IAF pairs every participant with a mentor who shows up — consistently, personally, and powerfully.
Real Skills. Real Futures.
From launching a business to opening a savings account, our programs teach the practical tools that schools often skip — so our youth are ready for the world on their own terms.
Rooted in Kansas City
We are a homegrown movement. Born from this community, built for this community — every program, every mentor, and every dollar stays local and creates lasting change here.
The Ripple Effect Is Real
When one young person finds their path, they lift their family, their block, and their city. IAF invests in individuals because we know the impact multiplies for generations.
In the Community
Where the Work Happens
Community
Approved
Our Five-Year Vision
Where we are going — and who we are taking with us
Reach 100 Youth Annually
We are building the infrastructure to serve 100 young people every year — with full program cycles, dedicated mentors, and real follow-through long after graduation.
Build a Mentor Network of 50+
We want every participant matched with a mentor who looks like them, has walked a similar road, and is committed to showing up — not just once, but for the long haul.
Open a Permanent Community Hub
A dedicated space in Kansas City's urban core where youth can come to learn, create, meet mentors, and access resources — a home base for the next generation of leaders.
Launch a Youth Micro-Grant Fund
We want to put seed money directly in the hands of our graduates —assist with funding their first business, their first semester, or their first step toward financial independence.
Already Happening
Before joining Irene's Angels, I didn't fully realize that my love for fashion and sewing could turn into something bigger. Through the program, I discovered that what I thought was just a hobby was actually a passion — and even more than that, a path to building a business. Irene's Angels gave me the tools, mentorship, and confidence to turn my creativity into income. Now I'm designing, creating, and selling my own pieces — and doing what I love every day.
Partnership Vision
Stronger Together
We believe the most powerful change happens when organizations stop competing and start collaborating. Over the next five years, we are actively seeking partnerships with schools, faith communities, local businesses, workforce development agencies, and fellow nonprofits who share our commitment to Kansas City's youth. If your organization serves this community, we want to be in the room with you — co-designing programs, sharing resources, and making sure no young person falls through the cracks between our missions.
Let's ConnectJoin the Movement
Four Ways to Make a Difference
Help Build Generational Change
Every dollar you give funds a workshop, a mentorship session, a scholarship — a future. Join us in honoring Irene's legacy by investing in the next generation.
Donate Now