Ambassador of Month: Blake Dankert

Kansas City, Missouri | Thursday February 18, 2021 – The Ambassadors are proud to recognize Blake Dankert as February’s Ambassador of the month. Blake has been the hidden gem behind the scenes of every Ambassador event, and many Chamber events. Blake is one of the most thoughtful individuals and consistently goes above and beyond to make everyone feel included, no matter the circumstance. Not only has Blake made great experiences for fellow Chamber members, but he has successfully found many members their dream homes, read more about Blake below!

About Blake

Blake grew up in the small town of Brunswick, MO, and moved to Kansas City in 2012.  For the last 6 years, Blake has been working as a licensed real estate agent in Missouri and Kansas for the Murphy Group KC with Keller Williams. When not selling homes or volunteering with the chamber Blake is a co-chair for AIDS Walk Kansas City, serves on the development committee for SAVE Inc, and has co-chaired the last two Homecoming fundraising events for SAVE Inc.

Blake has always been involved in the non-profit space in some capacity.  At a young age, he founded the Brunswick Redevelopment & Revitalization Committee, in his hometown of Brunswick, MO.  The organization is dedicated to the redevelopment and economic growth of the town’s downtown business district.   The organization still is in existence today and Blake personally won an award from HGTV for his efforts.

Q&A with Blake

Why did you join the chamber or get involved if your organization was already a member?
I attended the second ever B2B at TIVOL on the plaza and was amazed at how many people were in attendance and the overall electric feeling the group had.  A week or so after the event I found out that Michael Lintecum and Josh Strodtman were looking for an intern to help with membership and events.   I jumped at the opportunity to be involved with nonprofits before I was ecstatic to help them group their organization and meet amazing people along the way.

Why did you join the ambassador program?
As my internship with the chamber morphed into me becoming an active volunteer for check-in at the B2B events I was approached by a board member at the time to help establish the ambassador group.  I worked on the framework for the program and attended the first outreach event we held to recruit the first ambassador group…and well still years later I am still here!

What advice do you have to someone that is curious about getting involved with the Ambassadors or the Chamber?
Run, don’t walk, and join us!  Anyone in the group would be happy to set up a time for coffee, or my preference happy hour to chat about the program and answer any questions you might have about Ambassadors.  Our stories will be genuine and no bull, because we all love the group so much and the people involved.

What benefits have you received from being an ambassador (networking/friends/experiences/leads for work, etc.)?
It really is an amazing group of people not only do you make great business connections, but most importantly you get to grow personal relationships with the other Ambassadors and chamber members.  I can attribute the chamber and the Ambassador group to some of the best friends I have now, and I am forever thankful for that.

Why do you think businesses should join the LGBT Chamber of Commerce?
Why Not? Come to a B2B, post Covid-19, and check us out!  The events are always fun, and you get to meet some of Kansas City’s most genuine businesspeople.   I would say almost every member is willing to take time out of their schedule to help other members with really anything.  It is unlike any other chamber or networking group I have ever attended in the past, and that is something truly amazing and rare!

About the Chamber

The Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce is a proud affiliate of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce and exists to advocate, promote and facilitate the success of the LGBT business community and their allies through the guiding principles of equality, inclusion, economics and education. Through membership, networking, and professional development programming, the Chamber seeks to foster a more inclusive and vibrant economy in Kansas City and the surrounding region.